“Why is My car overheating when ac is on” This is a common question I get asked, and I wanted to create a helpful guide on the matter. There is way too much information out there trying to tell you how to fix this issue. Hopefully, this article goes into enough detail that anyone can repair their own overheating car or why they overheat in the first place.
Does AC affect engine temperature?
The answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. The air conditioner puts a load on the engine, so it has to work harder and get cooler. This is why cars have a separate cooling system for the radiator and condenser.
The added load may be what’s causing the engine to run hotter because the AC’s compressor is powered by the engine. So there is a correlation between engine temperature and Air conditioning.
How Does Car AC work?
The air conditioning system in a car is designed to cool the air in the cabin. The system uses a refrigerant that absorbs heat and turns it into a gas. The gas is then compressed and cooled until it liquefies. As the refrigerant moves through the AC system, it takes heat from the inside of your car and releases it outside.
https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/air-conditioning
What Causes a Car to Overheat when Air Con is on?
Failing AC compressor:
The air conditioning system in your car has two main components the compressor and an expansion valve. If either one of these fails, you’ll experience problems with your A/C system.
The most common symptom of this type of failure is that your car will overheat as soon as you turn on the A/C. If this happens to you, you should take your vehicle into a mechanic right away so they can diagnose the problem and replace any faulty parts before they cause more serious damage to your vehicle or its systems.
Blocked/Damaged Radiator:
If there is any blockage or damage in a radiator, then it will not be able to cool down the engine properly and this may cause overheating problems as well.
So if you notice any leaks from your radiator or even if there is any blockage in it, then you must get it checked out immediately by an expert mechanic so that they can repair the problem and prevent any further damage to your vehicle.
Faulty Water Pump:
A faulty water pump can cause a car to overheat when the air conditioning is on. The water pump circulates coolant in the engine and sends heat from the engine to the radiator, where it exits as hot air. When the coolant level is low or when there’s a leak in the system, it can cause your vehicle to overheat.
Failing Auxiliary Fans:
Auxiliary fans help pull out hot air from the engine compartment and send it through the radiator. If these fans fail, then you’ll notice that your vehicle takes longer than usual to cool down after running for several minutes with the air conditioner on.
Bad Thermostat:
If your thermostat is faulty or stuck open, then it will allow coolant to flow through it even if the engine is hot enough not to need additional cooling down below its usual operating temperature range (typically between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit).
This causes excess heat buildup inside your engine bay and eventually leads to overheating of internal components such as pistons, cylinder heads and other moving parts within your engine block itself.
If you’ve ever been driving with the air conditioning on and felt like your car was overheating, you’re not alone. This is a problem that many drivers have experienced, so here’s what causes it:
Condenser Not Getting Air:
One of the main reasons for a car to overheat when using the air conditioner is because the condenser isn’t getting enough airflow through it. When driving with an older car, the condenser can become clogged with dirt and debris, which prevents air from flowing through it properly. This means that the AC system won’t work properly, which in turn causes your engine’s temperature to rise.
Damaged hoses:
Another common cause of overheating when driving with the AC on is damaged hoses in your vehicle’s cooling system. If there is any type of damage or leak in one of these hoses, then this will cause your engine’s temperature to rise as well – especially if it’s located near an area where there is little space for airflow (such as inside an engine bay).
What to do if your vehicle overheats when using the AC?
If your vehicle is overheating while using the AC, there could be a few different reasons.
The first thing to check is the thermostat. If it’s stuck closed or open, this will cause a buildup of heat in your engine and make it overheat. It’s also possible that there is a leak in your radiator or cooling system that needs to be addressed ASAP. If you have a mechanic look at your vehicle, they can determine if this is the problem by performing an inspection.
If the thermostat is working correctly, then there may be some other issues going on within the engine itself such as low coolant levels or clogged cooling fins on the radiator. These two problems can cause overheating when using the AC because when too much heat builds up inside of the engine block, it causes the engine to overheat faster than normal.
Another reason why your vehicle might be overheating when using AC could be due to worn out hoses or belts. This means that these components are unable to do their jobs properly and therefore must be replaced immediately so that you don’t risk damaging other parts within your engine block due to excessive heat buildup,
With that said it is recommended that your take your car to the dealer or auto repair shop to get it diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. This will prevent you from having to pay for repairs that are more expensive than what it would have been if you had just taken your car in right away.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
