July/August 2020

Below: Remanufactured A/C compressor from Borg Automotive C ooling systems are vital for the proper running of vehicles, be they on a conventional drivetrain, via a hybrid system or via battery as an EV. Having the capability to provide proper servicing on cooling systems, and to diagnose and fix faults is absolutely vital for all garages, particulary those looking forward. Things are changing however. As electric and hybrid vehicles become more mainstream, the line dividing cooling and air conditioning has blurred. Commenting on the importance of the A/C compressor, Jesper A. Jensen, Product Manager at BORG Automotive said: “The compressor is often referred to as the heart of air conditioning. It compresses the refrigerant and makes it circulate through the air conditioning of a vehicle. Consequently, if it fails, the entire system breaks down. As the A/C compressor is a highly complex unit, workshops cannot repair it on their own but instead need to replace the entire unit. A new OES part alone can cost many hundreds of pounds. Add to this several working hours and a new charge of refrigerant and you may end up at a price, which cannot be financed from petty cash. “This is where BORG Automotive comes into play. The company remanufactures defective A/C compressors and supplies them to the aftermarket. The current product range includes about 1,100 references, the widest compressor range in Europe, and covers more than 95% of the cars traveling European roads. In addition, A/C compressors from BORG Automotive are supplied ready to install, as BORG prefills each unit with the specified amount of oil.” On fitment, Jasper commented: “First, if you are considering replacing the A/C compressor in order to deal with an A/C malfunction, first, find the root cause of the problem. If the true source of failure is still persistent, a new A/C compressor might be damaged as well. Secondly, flush the A/C system prior to installing the new A/C compressor. This is to remove old oil, as excessive oil can damage the compressor, and if the old compressor has failed there might still be debris left in the system, that could damage the new compressor. Third, it is advisable to double check the oil amount specified on BORG’s A/C compressors with the car specifications. In rare cases, cars feature an optional second evaporator and extra oil is required.” Jasper added: “All Borg Automotive compressors come with an installation guide which must be followed step- by-step to ensure trouble free installation and a long life of the compressor.” Radiator installation tips Alongside cooling the engine, radiators are crucial in helping reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, as well as ensuring the smooth running of A/C and heat exchange performance of other parts. Radiator related work is commonplace for technicians in the workshop, but, before replacing one, what do they need to know? DENSO’s technical expert, Mike Sadler, revealed his top tips: “First, check that the part number is correct via cross-referencing. “Before installation, inspect the new part carefully, including the size and fitment of ancillary parts, such as caps, switches and sensors. Carefully examine the radiator hoses and connections, and then replace any with new OE parts, where necessary. Failure to do so can cause radiator failure. The most common problem is coolant leakage, resulting from defective or worn seals. Thermostats and caps are also susceptible to failure, which are usually due to inherent defects in the radiators, but faults relating to OEM and matching quality replacements are rare.” For putting the part in place, Mike had this to say: “Be careful to avoid physical damage while handling and installing. Don’t forget to inspect any defective radiator mountings – bushes and rubbers – which can be easily repaired before installing the radiator.” On coolant, Mike commented: “Coolant antifreeze concentration is also subject to certain regulations, as outlined by the VM. When fitting a new radiator, be sure to check that the correct concentration has been used.” Once it is fitted, you need to make sure it is working correctly: “As the radiator releases heat, which is exchanged from the engine into the air, check the performance and operation of the electric cooling fans after the new radiator has been installed. VMs provide best practice information and procedures for each vehicle it manufactures.so if in doubt, check their guidelines. Block Exemption rules ensure this information is freely-available to technicians.” On what part to pick, Mike urged: “Avoid inferior alternatives! This may sound like simple advice, but research has shown that buying cheaper will cost more in the long run, as too often cheaper can mean inferior quality.” Integration The current make-up of cooling systems need to be considered when working on them. Dayco UK’s National Sales Manager Steve Carolan commented: “Over the last few years, VMs have moved to integrate the water pump into the primary drive system rather than it being driven by the auxiliary belt. “This has a direct effect on the aftermarket because, in contrast to 36 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2020 COOLING www.aftermarketonline.net KEEPING COOL UNDER PRESSURE Keeping up to date with the latest cooling kit and tech adds pressure, but support is available