MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2022 - MAR1

Service Reports
MOBILE AIR CLIMATE SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION ©
By Mike Bailey, MACS Technical Correspondent
March 2022
We are on the leading edge of change, again. (Part 1)
These first few paragraphs may be more appropriate
for ACtion Magazine, but it explains this writer's
enthusiasm for the change that is on the way.
For those who have worked in the automotive
repair industry for a long time, we have seen this
before, but never on this scale. The basic bones of
vehicles have always been Chassis, Brakes, Steering,
Suspension, Drivetrain and Electrical. Climate
Control was a later addition along with other Accessories
and Safety Systems.
In 1979 I was in grade eight, hired for my first part
time job as a car wash attendant at a four-bay Fina
gas station, near the Toronto airport. A solid work
ethic and mechanical aptitude led to helping in the
shop. I got hooked on Internal Combustion Engines
(ICE), and all the other systems that made vehicles
what they were.
Looking back, the timing could not have been better
for learning. Points and Condensers were still
popular, but Electronic Ignition was the new standard.
At the same time, we witnessed the infancy
of modern Emission Controls. Air/Fuel mixtures that
were " good enough " suddenly were not, and rudimentary
computers, monitoring the amount of Oxygen
in the exhaust were employed to control the
main metering function of the carburetor.
Mandated fuel economy and emission standards
forced manufacturers to convert to Electronic Fuel
Injection and modern Emission Controls. Governments
continuing to require higher CAFE numbers
combined with lower emissions, and many consumers
demanding better performance forced the introMACS
Service Reports is the official technical publication of the
Mobile Air Climate Systems Association, P.O. Box 88, Lansdale, PA
19446. The material published in MACS Service Reports expresses
the views of the contributors and not necessarily that of MACS. Every
attempt has been made to ensure
March 2022
1
Overall, the basic refrigeration system improved
very slowly and changed very little. Cycling Clutch
systems led to engine driven Variable Displacement
Compressors. Refrigerants and lubricants changed.
Electronic Climate Controls have almost become
standard equipment. System capacity was improved
using lower refrigerant charge, but still, the refrigeration
system remained basically the same. Many
manufacturers even returned to " old " technology
in bringing back the expansion valve and receiver
dryer.
Meanwhile, new ways of thinking, new ideas and
new technologies were quietly being developed
in the " special " R&D departments of automakers.
Many challenges have been overcome, and many
more still need to be conquered.
Fast forward to today. Political and social ideals
are turning on their heads, and now Hybrid and Electric
vehicles are going mainstream! Manufacturers,
old and new, seem to be announcing new Electric
models weekly.
The old Hybrid/EV fleet has sufficiently aged to
the point that these vehicles will find their way into
our service bays.
If you already service Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
(EVs), keep current. If you have been sending Hybrid
and Electrics to other shops or to the dealership, get
the accuracy of the content of MACS Service Reports. MACS, however,
will not be responsible for the accuracy of the information published
nor will MACS be liable in any way for injury, labor, parts or
other expenses resulting from the use of information appearing in
MACS Service Reports.
MACS Service Reports
duction of Variable Camshaft Timing and Direct Fuel
Injection. Even considering all of this, the BASIC operation
and design of the Internal Combustion Engine
remained unchanged.
MACS Monthly Newsletter - 2022

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