McLearen Shell: Your Truck or Car's AC System

At McLearen Shell we understand how your AC system works. Your car or truck's AC system uses a Freon gas type refrigerant for cooling. For automotive applications, Freon is refined into tetrafluoroethane, a non-toxic, non-flammable and non-corrosive gas called R134a. The ability of the refrigerant gas to change its physical properties into a liquid as it is compressed and condensed keeps you cool on hot summer days.

Discover More Reliable AC Parts

If your AC system starts blowing warm air come by the store at 3043 Centreville Road and talk with one of our auto parts specialists to determine what parts you need to get your AC working again.

Your AC compressor is the auto part responsible for compressing the refrigerant R134a. When it is compressed it becomes very hot. Because hot is the opposite of what drivers want in an AC system, the refrigerant must be cooled.

R134a is cooled by your car AC condenser. This auto part is a series of coils that look very similar to a radiator. Just like a radiator, outside air passes over the condenser to remove the heat from the compressed gas. It is then condensed into a very wet cold liquid. The receiver-drier absorbs excess moisture from the liquid. Next, your AC filter traps debris within the liquid that can cause clogging in your car's AC system. Call 703-318-7744 today and let our auto parts specialists help you find the right compressor, condenser or receiver drier to fit your car or truck.

At this point, the refrigerant liquid is still under too much pressure. The expansion valve and orifice tube take over and force the refrigerant to change from a high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant mist before it enters the evaporator.

As the low-pressure liquid refrigerant mist flows through the evaporator, a blower motor pushes air across the cold tubes of the evaporator and cooled dry air flows into the passenger compartment of the automobile. The accumulator is a holding tank for the refrigerant as it exits the evaporator. While the refrigerant is circulating inside, the accumulator removes any moisture that may be present.

Call 703-318-7744 today and let our auto parts specialists help you find the right expansion value, orifice tube, and evaporator to fit your car or truck.