BASIC AIR-CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR: The Compressor Pumps the refrigerant under pressure throughout the air conditioning system.

The refrigerant is a low pressure (LP) gas as it returns to the Compressor from the Evaporator.The Compressor by nature of Pumping/ Compressing boosts the refrigerants pressure and in turn it's temperature so that it's now high pressure (HP) gas which makes the refrigerant condense more rapidly in the other important item left in the system the 'Condenser'. The Compressor is connected by a drive belt and powered by the Car's Engine. The most common failures of this part of the system are a lack of oil, wear in the pulley bearing and a lack of regular maintenance on the system. CONDENSER: The Condenser effectively converts the refrigerant from a Hot High Pressure Gas(Created by the Compressor) into a High Pressure liquid. This is done by the refrigerant giving up its heat by passing cold air across its body (Small Radiator fitted at the front of the Car mounted in the airflow) Also likely to have a small fan fitted behind it for when the car is stationary. The high pressure liquid is now passed to the Receiver Drier(as a liquid). The most common reason for failure is damage to the Condensor caused by stones picked up from the road, Corrosion due to where it's situated from salt/ road grit. Or just a lack of regular servicing/inspection. FILTER DRIER: This could be one of two types (depending upon type of Air-Conditioning System) and is either known as a 'Receiver Drier' or as an 'Accumulator'.The Reciever Dryer is normally situated in the HP Liquid line in between the Condensor and the Expansion device. Whereas the Accumulator would be situated in the LP gas line in between the Compressor and the Evaporator and is used in conjunction with an orifice tube. The receiver acts like a reservoir and stores the required amount of refrigerant for correct operation. The drier does exactly what it says on the tin! It dries up any moisture in the system by using a dessicant. This is crucial to the correct operation and prevents any internal corrosion thus preventing serious internal damage. This dessicant should be replaced at least every two years. EXPANSION DEVICE: The Expansion Device is also very important, it can be one of many different types.The Expansion Device effectively separates the HP side from the LP side a small restriction point in the valve will only allow a small amount of refrigerant to pass through to the evaporator Reasons for it's failure are typically contamination, the presence of moisture or again lack of maintenance. EVAPORATOR: The principle that the evaporator works on is that it does not 'produce' cold air, it simply removes heat from the air that is present. With the Liquid refrigerants pressure dropping, the refrigerant has a low boiling point approx -26 deg centigrade for R134a. As it boils the Evaporator will absorb the heat being passed over it. Thus cooling down the Car's interior.The LP Gas then continues onto the Compressor and is Pressurised into a HP Gas and continues it's cycle all over again. Corrosion and Weaknesses during Construction coupled with lack of maintenance cause the Evaporator to fail.