Bonita Springs and Estero Auto Repair

Key Takeaways A small dip or rumble for a second when the AC kicks on is normal: the compressor adds load to the engine. Steady shaking at idle with the AC on usually points to worn engine mounts, an idle control problem, or an engine that is already misfiring a little. Shaking together with grinding, squealing or a burning smell points to the compressor or belt. Turn the AC off and get it checked. A simple test: does the shaking stop when you turn the AC off, or when you shift into neutral? That narrows it down a lot. Rough idle is often a symptom of another problem, so a proper diagnosis beats replacing parts one by one. If your car shakes when the AC is on, the usual reason is that the AC compressor adds load to the engine, and that extra load exposes a weak spot: worn engine mounts, an idle control problem, a minor misfire, or a failing compressor or belt. A brief shudder when the compressor clicks on can be normal. Shaking that keeps going a ... read more

Key Takeaways A slow loss of cooling, a compressor that clicks on and off, and an oily film on AC parts are the most common signs of a refrigerant leak. A puddle of clear water under the car is usually normal condensation, not a leak. You can spot some clues yourself, but confirming and repairing a leak takes gauges, detection tools and equipment to recover and recharge refrigerant. Stop-leak products are a gamble: they can clog AC parts, and they do not repair the damaged part. The right order is find the leak, fix the part, then recharge. Recharging first usually means paying twice. A car AC leak usually shows up as cooling that gets weaker over weeks, a compressor that cycles on and off, or an oily film around AC lines and fittings. The fix is to find the exact leak with dye or an electronic detector, repair the damaged part, then evacuate and recharge the system. A can of refrigerant or stop-leak may bring the cold back for a while, but the l ... read more