Hello and welcome! My name is Fareed, and this blog is about car repair. I plan to write about smash repair, body work, painting and other aspects of the industry. I also hope to include a few posts that will help you assess whether or not something is wrong with your car. I have worked on my own car for years, and recently, I've been embraced as the neighbourhood mechanic -- all my friends come to me for help. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I feel confident sharing this info with you as I've been working on cars for years. I am happy you found my blog and hope that you enjoy reading!
The air conditioning system fitted within your car or truck is, essentially, a miniature version of the same system that you find at home. It relies on a number of different components to work together, but most of the heavy lifting takes place within the compressor and condenser. Many issues associated with poor performance can be traced back to one or both of these primary components, but the compressor is typically the first place to look. What could be going wrong with this part, and what should you do?
Compressor in Action
In order for the system to work properly, the compressor has to pressurise the refrigerant before pushing it onward through the system. It is constantly starting and stopping this process through a continuous on-and-off cycle, and while it is designed to last, it will invariably begin to falter.
Worn Bearings or Belt
Your first sign may be a loud noise when you switch on the air conditioning. This may be a sign that the driving belt is worn or that one of the internal bearings may be about to fail. These bearings are self-contained and rely on grease for their lubrication, but as they approach the end of their life, they will begin to seize and will emit a very high-pitched squealing noise. As you continue to activate the A/C on subsequent days, this squealing noise will get worse and the belt will begin to slip even more. Unfortunately, this is a downward spiral, and the compressor will eventually fail unless you take some action soon.
Faulty Clutch
The compressor is controlled by a clutch mechanism that allows it to cycle on and off. The clutch disengages the engine and will also come in for its fair share of abuse. If it were to fail, then it could isolate the compressor or leave it permanently stuck in the 'on' position.
Other Signs
While the high-pitched squealing noise may be your first warning sign, other issues can nevertheless arise with less fanfare. For example, you may notice that the temperature is too high within the cabin, and this means that the compressor may not be controlling the flow of refrigerant properly.
The Benefits of Regular Service
You may be able to eliminate many of these problems by scheduling a professional vehicle service visit instead. During such a service, your mechanic will be able to analyse the performance of not just the compressor, but the condenser and all the other elements as well.
Share30 May 2019
