Air Conditioner Maintenance

We all need Air Conditioners in our cars, but there is a negative side to this too. CFC based refrigerant causes terrible damage to the ozone layer. Our mechanics will have to make sure that there are no leaks, and fix them if there are, before they can add any R-12 to our air conditioning systems. Naturally, this cost will be passed along to us. Recovered refrigerant will be recycled. Capturing refrigerants and restoring them for reuse is not only environmentally sound, but mechanically safe. Each molecule of CFC in the atmosphere has a 120 year life that will destroy tens of thousands of ozone molecules. This means that a CFC molecule released in 1991 will still be damaging the ozone layer in 2100.

Air Ducts

The air ducts control the passage of hot or cold air into the interior of the car. They are operated by a control on the dash, either manually or automatically.

Air Pump

The air pump pumps compressed air into the exhaust manifold and in a few cases to the catalytic converter. The oxygen in the pressurized air helps to burn quite a bit of any unburned hydrocarbons (fuel) and thereby converts the poisonous carbon monoxide into good old carbon dioxide. A belt from the engine drives the air pump. It has little vanes (thin, flat, curved fins) that draw the air into the compression chamber. Here, the air is compressed and sent off to the exhaust manifold where it speeds up the emissions burning process. Stainless steel nozzles are used to shoot the air into the exhaust manifold, because they will not burn. Some engines use a pulse air injection system. Pulses of exhaust gases are used by the system to operate an air pump that delivers air into the exhaust system.

Alternator or Generator

The chief source of power of the electrical system is the alternating-current generator, or alternator. Its shaft is driven by the same belt that spins the fan and it keeps the engine running. It converts mechanical energy into alternating-current electricity, which is then channeled through diodes that alter it to direct current for the electrical system and for recharging the battery.

Ammeter

The device is used to determine whether the electrical system is charging, discharging, or staying "level". The gauge should dip when the engine is started, then go up as the alternator re- charges the battery. After a few minutes, it should go to its middle position.

Automatic Transmissions

Automatic transmission has made driving a lot easier to drive and than manual transmission. The best part is that you don't have to use a clutch pedal or gearshift lever. An automatic transmission manages all of this on its own. Automatic transmissions automatically change to higher and lower gears with changes in the car's speed and the load on the engine. These transmissions are also aware of how far down you have pushed the gas pedal, and shift accordingly.

The output shaft turns the governor. The rolling of the governor is directly proportional to the speed of the car. The centrifugal force from the governor sends the oil is sent from the pump to the shift valves. The shift valves then move out sending the transmission fluid to the gear shifting mechanisms in the transmission. When the car slows down, the valves move in and send the transmission fluid in the opposite direction, thus changing the gears. The different gears are selected by routing the pressure to the clutches and brake bands.