AC Compressor Quick Buyer’s Guide

What is an air conditioning compressor?

The A/C compressor or “Pump” is the heart of your vehicles air conditioning system. It’s powered by a drive belt that’s connected to the crankshaft of the engine. The compressor pumps refrigerant vapour under high pressure, this liquid refrigerant moves to the evaporator. Here the liquid absorbs heat from the air inside the cabin, becoming a gas. This refrigerant gas goes through you’re A/C Condenser where it is cooled, returns to the compressor completing the cycle.

How does the A/C Compressor cool my car ?

Many people would be surprised to know that the air conditioning system does not actually create the cold air you feel when your air conditioning is turned on. The A/C system removes heat and humidity which lowers the cabins temperature.

How to choose the right air conditioning compressor?

Before you buy a replacement A/C Compressor , you need to know your vehicle’s make, model, and exact production date. If you don’t have it you can also check inside your car on the driver’s side door post, where it is usually written in month/year or date/month/year format.

You can also use the part number off your original A/C Compressor if you are not sure of your vehicle’s year or production date. This is infect the best method to guarantee you get the right replacement A/C Compressor for your vehicle. If you don’t have these part numbers, call your local vehicle manufacturer’s dealership, provide your vehicle identification number and ask their parts department for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part number of the air conditioning compressor. Often dealerships will not willing provide you this Part Number. However the trick is to ask for a emailed quotation. This way you will receive the Part Number to match your A/C Compressor.

If your car is not equipped with air conditioning, you can consult an automotive and air conditioning technician to install one.

What are the symptoms of a bad car AC compressor?

When you frequently turn your air conditioner on and off, the compressor, clutch, and other internal components are under great stress. After a while, this stress results in a faulty air conditioning compressor, which you can distinguish by some of the following symptoms.

• You start to hear strange noises.
• You no longer feel cold air.
• You notice fluid leaks around the A/C Compressor or hoses.
• The clutch that connects the compressor to the engine is jammed or seized.

How to install an air conditioning compressor in a car?

The installation of an air conditioning compressor is based on the following steps.

• Have any remaining refrigerant recovered by a licensed automotive shop.
• Remove the A/C Compressor and Flush the air conditioning system.
• Replace any necessary components including all O-Rings the Receiver/Drier or Desiccant bag.
• Evacuate the A/C System for a minimum 45 minutes.
• Add the specified type and amount of A/C Compressor oil.
• Have the A/C System re-gassed with the specified amount of refrigerant by an authorised person.
• Run the A/C System and check performance.