Opinion about older AC systems versus the AC systems in modern cars

I need your opinion on air conditioning systems. I think older cars have better AC systems. I've been driving older cars and their AC works fine and the new ones always need replacing or parts.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Here is the kicker. The old air conditioning systems were huge and they wasted a lot of energy. But with that said, they blew as cool as can be and lasted a long time.

For example, you can take an old Chevy AC compressor – those things were gigantic and some of them weighed 50 pounds – but they blew freezing cold. That said, they used a lot of energy to work and those things held like three pounds of refrigerant. Modern ones don’t even hold a pound of refrigerant and they are all computer controlled. So when they break, they can cost a fortune because not only do they have computers that turn the air conditioning clutch on and off, some of them have the air conditioning clutches that work all the time.

Inside, the compressor have these variable swash buckle plates that are controlled by a computer and can give 0-100% power. And guess what, that stuff is all computer controlled. And when it all breaks, it can cost thousands when they finally break down. So I tend to agree with you that old one’s work better, but the newer ones are much more efficient and they use much less fuel. That’s why they are using them. They get bonus points for better gas mileage from the federal government.

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The refrigerant that new AC units use works better and are less likely to damage our atmosphere. On top of this major change, modern AC units are generally built to be more energy efficient than their older counterparts. This saves you money on energy bills and keeps CO2 out of the air.
R12 potentially harms the ozone layer because it contains CFCs, just like old-fashioned hairspray did. Because of this possible damage to the environment, it was banned and substituted by 134a, which uses synthetic oil rather than mineral oil and has less of an adverse effect on the environment than R12.
Most air conditioning units have lowered their energy use by implementing high-efficiency motors and increasing the heat exchange surface area. Efficiency for air conditioners is indicated by their SEER rating.
In most cars that are on the road today, R134a refrigerant makes the A/C system blow cold on hot days. Selected for its low flammability and safety, as well as because it`s kinder to the environment, almost every car built since 1994 is equipped with R134 refrigerant.
New models have much higher energy efficiency ratings than your 20-year-old system. If your current AC unit has a SEER rating of ten or lower, you`re wasting money while cooling your home. Modern AC systems use significantly less electricity to cool your home.
Old HVAC units are less efficient over time. Regular use and years of heating and cooling can cause an inefficient HVAC unit. An HVAC system breaks down over time, slowly losing energy efficiency.
R134a and R1234yf are similar, however, R1234yf was created as a more environmentally friendly replacement to R134a. The biggest difference between the two is that R1234yf is mildly flammable and does require special handling. Diagnosis of the air-conditioning system can be done in the same way as with R134a.
R-152a refrigerant

For A/C use in automobiles, R-152a is a more efficient refrigerant than R-134a. It has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and a low GWP of 124. However, it is moderately flammable and can present a fire hazard.

Newer technology has improved the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems. An older air conditioner can be as noisy as 80 decibels, while newer systems use variable-speed fans and insulated ducts. The quietest HVAC technology is about 40 decibels, which is quieter than a small desk fan.
The system is aging – You can take care of your air conditioner as meticulously as possible every year, but it will inevitably wear out. When air conditioners get older, their energy quality begins to deteriorate.
Cars manufactured prior to 1995 originally came with R-12 Freon, a refrigerant that was discontinued due potential ozone damage. Cars manufactured after 95, and older systems requiring re-charging contain a more ozone friendly refrigerant known as 134a.
The most common refrigerant is R-134A (or HFC-134a) however newer vehicles may use R-1234YF (or HFO-1234yf). Even still, some very old vehicles may also be using R-12 (or Freon). The easiest way to know is to check your vehicles A/C system nameplate under the hood.
Not only will an old air conditioner work with less efficiency, there are significant health risks posed by running an old AC unit. Rain and hot temperatures make these air conditioning systems breeding grounds for bacteria. Old units tend to build up bacteria, fungi, and pollen over time.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing your current air conditioner with a newer and more energy-efficient model could help you save 20 to 40 percent on your home`s cooling costs, even if your current AC system is just 10 years old.
The modern air conditioners that homeowners use today are far more efficient and effective than the air conditioners of the past. Experts in the HVAC industry are always looking for ways to make more precise and efficient cooling systems, even if it means reinventing their products.
The most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
The first thing any upgrade will do is lower your energy usage. A 20-year-old air conditioning system might use 6 kWh of electricity to cool an average-sized house. A modern AC system could cool that same house using as little as 1.71 kWh of electricity.
Adverse Health effects. The inhalation of high concentrations of R134a vapour may cause temporary central nervous system depression, with narcosis, lethargy and anaesthetic effects. Continued breathing of high concentrations of R134a vapours may produce cardiac irregularities, unconsciousness and death.
R134a reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid which damages the internal A/C components.
R-1234yf has a reduced cooling capacity compared to R-134a systems, generally between five percent to 25 percent lower. Combining this reduced cooling ability with more minor charges in a system means less leeway when it comes to system health.
Vehicles with R-1234yf have different service fittings than R-134a vehicles to prevent any potential cross-contamination of the two refrigerants.
R134a has pretty decent thermodynamic properties. With a broad temperature spectrum, relatively low working pressures and a good latent heat capacity, it is a great gas to use as a refrigerant for chilled water purposes.
While R-1234yf could be the perfect replacement for R-134a, there is one major challenge with this new technology. The R-1234yf is much more reactive than R-134a. On the positive side, this higher reactivity is why R-1234yf is so much more friendly to the environment.
R12 contains CFCs like hairspray once did, that is potentially damaging to the ozone layer. It was banned because of this potential environmental risk and replaced by 134a because 134a, using synthetic oil over mineral oil, does not have as much of a negative environmental impact that R12 does.

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Opinion about older AC systems versus the AC systems in modern cars
ANSWER : Here is the kicker. The old air conditioning systems were huge and they wasted a lot of energy. But with that said, they blew as cool as can be and lasted a long time.

For example, you can take an old Chevy AC compressor – those things were gigantic and some of them weighed 50 pounds – but they blew freezing cold. That said, they used a lot of energy to work and those things held like three pounds of refrigerant. Modern ones don’t even hold a pound of refrigerant and they are all computer controlled. So when they break, they can cost a fortune because not only do they have computers that turn the air conditioning clutch on and off, some of them have the air conditioning clutches that work all the time.

Inside, the compressor have these variable swash buckle plates that are controlled by a computer and can give 0-100% power. And guess what, that stuff is all computer controlled. And when it all breaks, it can cost thousands when they finally break down. So I tend to agree with you that old one’s work better, but the newer ones are much more efficient and they use much less fuel. That’s why they are using them. They get bonus points for better gas mileage from the federal government.

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When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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when I turn my ac on my cars idle drop and stalls out and the ac is hot
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Although the pulley is still spinning, the compressor has likely failed. If it is not properly regulating pressure in the system, one of the first signs is a warm air conditioner. Considering yours is not cooling off, the pressures are not correct. If you believe the compressor is working correctly, you may want to check for a clogged line before replacing it. Keep in mind, a blocked line has likely put extra strain on the compressor, and may cause premature failure. For more help with testing or replacing the compressor, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

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Low coolant light comes on when AC, defrost or heater is on, but only if the car is in gear and stopped, what’s wrong with my car?
ANSWER : First, you want to make sure your cooling system is full. Check the radiator not the coolant jug. And check it when it is cold. If it needs coolant, add some. Of course, I don’t feel this problem is an actual low coolant condition. I would expect to find an electrical failure in the instrument cluster or from a component or wiring harness that is connected to the instrument cluster.

As a technician, I have access to reports from technicians across the country. I could not find any reports of this problem, so diagnosing this will require an experienced tech as this is not a common problem. In addition, this happens at intermittent times making it difficult to recreate. The most challenging part of this diagnosis will be recreating the symptom. I suspect it has something to do with the brake switch circuitry because it only seems to happen when you have your foot on the brake. I would begin my diagnosis there with a wiring diagram and test light in hand. The brake switch, instrument cluster, and environmental controls all interact with each other. Something is crossed either because of a failed module or damaged wiring in a harness.

Aside from making sure the coolant is full, this will not likely leave you on the side of the road. If you take it in to be diagnosed, be prepared for them to spend more time than usual to figure it out. Since it isn’t a key problem, you may need to live with it until it completely fails making it much easier to diagnose. Either way, I do recommend having a certified mechanic diagnose the warning light to make sure there isn’t anything serious going on.

Good luck.

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I have a mini r53 s (supercharged) runs fine but when car stop and AC is on for a wile car overheat
ANSWER : Your question makes me think of a case I ran into a few years ago. The owner had modified his car but when he installed his fans, one of them was wired backwards so the fan ran in reverse. The two fans were fighting each other which was just like having no fan at all, so the car heated up while it was sitting still then it cooled off when moving. Check the rotation of both the fans before you check anything else. If that’s OK, you may be able to track down the problem with a non-contact thermometer, follow the course of the coolant with the beam. The radiator should be about 30 degrees or more cooler at the exit than at the entrance. If you need help with this, contact Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home to check out your overheating problem and let you know what can be done for it.

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2007 Nissan Altima motor mounts are new the motor vibrates a lot went the car is in drive with the ac on went I turn the ac off it
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that you have a vacuum leak or perhaps the transmission mounts are loose, as usually these symptoms are common with worn out motor mounts. When the AC is activated, it does create additional drag on the motor, which can make a small vibration even worse. It’s probably a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location and try and replicate the symptoms you are describing by completing a car is shaking or vibrating inspection.

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I had my AC compressor replaced a week ago car is now squealing very loudly.
ANSWER : If you turned on the defrost then you turned on the compressor power. The compressor would not have come on though since there is no refrigerant in the system. The belt squeal may be a belt tensioner not putting pressure on belt to keep it tight and need replaced. Have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic fix the a/c and belt squeal for you.

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07 Honda Fit Code PO420. Car missing at idle when AC is on and has trouble accelerating, especially up hills, more so with AC on
ANSWER : Hi there.The catalytic converter has two oxygen sensors. One oxygen sensor is positioned in front (upstream) of the catalytic converter and the other oxygen sensor is positioned at the rear (downstream). If the upstream oxygen sensor is working properly, its readings should fluctuate from when the car is at operating temperature and when running in a closed loop. When the oxygen sensors have readings that are similar to each other, it is an indication that the catalytic converter is not working as intended. If the voltage of the downstream oxygen sensor decreases, and begins to fluctuate like the upstream oxygen sensor, it means that the oxygen levels are too high and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will store the P0420 trouble code. This could be caused by a cracked exhaust manifold, damaged sensors or catalytic converter or electrical harness that controls the the sensors. It would be a good idea to have a professional mechanic complete an engine is misfiring inspection.

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Eric smoalih

I am a certified master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and I have been working as an auto mechanic for over 15 years. I am passionate about my work, and I take great pride in helping people keep their cars running smoothly.