Hybrid, EV or ICE, the air conditioning system mustn’t be overlooked, says Nissens automotive

The subject of air conditioning (AC) continues to be a source of both pleasure and pain to independent workshops

Hybrid, EV or ICE, the air conditioning system mustn’t be overlooked, says Nissens automotive

The subject of air conditioning (AC) continues to be a source of both pleasure and pain to independent workshops. For those with a good grasp of the fundamentals and the necessary equipment to assist them, it’s a great revenue stream and a way to set their businesses apart, but for those that don’t have the required knowledge, it remains a bit of a mystery and can potentially leave them out of pocket.

For workshops in the second camp, this is a tragedy because whereas only as recently as a decade ago AC was often still an optional extra on many new cars, nowadays it’s a standard feature, irrespective of whether it’s powered by a traditional combustion engine, is fully electric or one form of hybrid solution that falls in between.

Although workshops are generally confident to tackle almost any mechanical work, even modern double clutch systems, for example, many are wary of AC work, so either turn these enquiries away, or attempt to cover off the subject by simply offering an AC re-gassing service, which is often, at best, a short term fix to a deeper underlying issue.

As a market leader in replacement AC systems and the components that are within them, Nissens Automotive (Nissens), is always willing to go the extra mile and assist workshops by supplementing its comprehensive product range, with technical advice and training that can help workshops tap into the profit potential of AC service and repair.

With a system comprising so many components, it’s difficult to go into the fine detail of them all, but the condenser is one of the most critical parts as it maintains the correct performance parameters of the refrigerant and keeps the overall system working properly, so needs to be regularly and carefully checked whenever the vehicle enters the workshop.

The condenser is also relatively fragile, and its position at the front of the vehicle exposes it to harsh conditions such as de-icing salts used in the winter, which can quickly lead to corrosion, causing the condenser’s surface to deteriorate and leak. Furthermore, mechanical damage from careless service, insects or dust, and other debris from the road can limit the condenser’s heat exchange performance.

Even if the part seems to be okay and is still partially working, a condenser in poor condition can lead to costly system failure, such as damage to, or even complete seizure of, the compressor. That is why it is advisable to perform condenser inspection during regular car and AC system service.

Overall then, condenser failures are common, so its impact on the efficiency of the system should therefore not be ignored. Any signs of damage or sub-standard performance require the need to determine the root cause and, if necessary, its replacement. Should a replacement be required, it is advisable to consider only appropriate quality products, as this will secure long and optimised system performance and help to avoid repeat repairs.

Nissens has developed a special corrosion-protective coating that considerably extends the part’s lifespan. It is based on a powder coating that precisely covers the entire surface of the part, creating an effective protective barrier to repeal corrosive agents attacking the surface.

Besides the specific type of coating, the way it covers the unit is crucial. Only thorough and complete surface coverage, including all the recesses, can ensure the best effectiveness of the treatment and the condenser’s long-lasting protection.

That is why Nissens has invested in its own test lab where it is able to conduct long-term corrosion
tests that simulate natural atmospheric conditions and ensure the prolonged lifespan of its condensers. The tests include hundreds of hours in a climate chamber to verify that the anti-corrosion protection withstands the harsh conditions that condensers face when used in the real world.

These tests, and those undertaken by independent external institutes, have shown that the coating protected condensers from Nissens last considerably longer than original equipment or aftermarket
equivalents without the protection, where raw aluminium is exposed to the test conditions.

The tests have also revealed that after 400 hours in the salt chamber, a pressurised Nissens condenser with its protective coating, maintains its structure and shows no signs of corrosion or severe fin deterioration. In addition, there was no leakage when pressurising during a high pressure nitrogen after-test.

As stated in the introduction, AC systems are relevant to both traditional and new energy vehicles (NEV), so the coverage that Nissens is able to provide across the various technologies allows workshops to fit a premium quality aftermarket solution.

Across its climate system range, Nissens offers almost 4,000 part numbers, with more than 450 specifically for NEVs. When it comes to condensers, the 1,200 plus references cater for 93% of the European car parc and 79% of Europe’s NEVs.

Equally important to workshops as quality products and the depth of the range, is technical support and here Nissens also has the options covered. The company shares its expertise of the complete AC system, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and component installation. Its technical insights cover the latest technology trends and include electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid car thermal management systems.

This technical support is easily accessible in various forms from online assets to highly effective live training and includes highly valuable expertise such as:

  • Product support/experts page with dozens of AC System-related tech tips, instructions and insights 
    • Oil and gas data finder, updated each year with the most popular and new applications, including NEVs, which is available for workshops as a poster with the most popular models extracted, as well as QR code magnet/stickers
    • Latest technical video stories on how to repair EVs, including the AC compressor replacement in the popular e208 Peugeot
    • Technical training, online, live, self-learning

Access to all of the tech support assets is free here.

Details of the complete AC range can be found by clicking here with specific information concerning the Nissens condenser offering available by clicking here.

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