Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students will study the fundamentals of automotive heating and air conditioning systems. This includes theory, operation, safety factors, components, electrical and vacuum controls. Proper handling of refrigerant and antifreeze will be discussed as well as government regulations concerning their use. Correct use of air conditioning recovery and recycling equipment will be presented. Students will test, diagnose and repair problems on customer and school owned vehicles.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Perform heating and air conditioning system inspection, maintenance, adjustment, and repair with limited supervision.
• Perform engine cooling system maintenance, diagnosis, and repairs as related to heating and air conditioning with limited supervision.
• Communicate professionally with employers, customers, and co-workers using industry standard language and following industry standard protocols.
• Access and utilize repair information in a rapidly changing technology.
• Develop and implement strategies and processes to solve heating and air conditioning repair problems.
• Perform heating and air conditioning repair to professional and ethical standards.
   

To reach the outcomes goals students will complete the following tasks
1.Perform heating and engine cooling system tests and determine necessary action
2.Perform air conditioning tests and determine necessary action
3.Use refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment correctly and safely
4.Diagnose air conditioning and heating failures and make repairs on school owned and customer cars
5.Identify different types of air conditioning system controls
6.Achieve minimum of 70% on written tests
7.Meets minimum requirements for attendance and standard shop practices

Students will study the following concepts:
•Sources of heat in an automobile
•Nature of heat
•Heat transfer; conduction, convection and radiation
•Pressure
•Vacuum
•Physical principles of refrigeration
•“Conditioning” air
•Properties of refrigerants
•Air conditioning system retro-fits .Competencies/Skills:
•Familiarization with government regulations concerning the use of refrigerants
•Use refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment safely
•Inspect, test, diagnose and repair various air conditioning systems
•Inspect, test, diagnose and repair heating and engine cooling systems
•Use all forms of technical service information
•Practice safe tool and equipment usage
•Read and interpret wiring and vacuum diagrams
•Provide accurate verbal and written description of testing and diagnostic procedures .