Why does the air conditioner compressor fail and how to use it correctly?

You can see how important air conditioning is in cars, vans, trucks and construction vehicles on warm days. Cars heat up very quickly, and the unbearable heat is exacerbated by the large glazing of modern automotive structures. When the air conditioning compressor fails, you suddenly notice the disadvantage of this system, because one airflow is not enough. However, there are ways to avoid premature exploitation of these elements. Before we talk about this, we will briefly present the scheme of the device and the operation of a car air conditioner.

The compressor for the air conditioner, that is, a long time ago ...

It's hard to believe that air-conditioned cars were only introduced at the end of the 1939th century. In XNUMX, this system was invented, and within a year it could be tested on production car models. However, only now can we say that air conditioning has become the standard in passenger cars, transport, agriculture and construction. This involves not only improving driving and working comfort, but also adding more elements that can fail over time. And it must be said frankly that repairs or replacements are often very expensive.

What is an air conditioner compressor system made of?

The cooling system for the air entering the passenger compartment is based not only on the air conditioning compressor. The whole system also includes:

● condenser (cooler);

● dryer;

● expansion valve;

● evaporator;

● air supply elements.

The refrigerant contained in the system continuously circulates to cool the air. Of course, this happens when the air conditioner is on and running. Therefore, the next part of the text will be devoted to the consideration of the functions of individual elements of air conditioning compressors and their typical malfunctions.

Air conditioning compressor - design and operation

Without an efficient compressor, efficient operation of the air conditioner would not be possible. The refrigerant (formerly R-134a, now HFO-1234yf) must be compressed to change its physical state. In gaseous form, it is supplied to the pump (compressor) of the air conditioner, where its pressure rises and the state changes to liquid.

How does air conditioner cooling work?

This process is accompanied by a rapid increase in temperature, so the medium must be cooled. So, at the next stage, it is transported to the condenser, that is, to the cooler. It is usually located in front of the car's coolant radiator. There, the charge exchanges momentum with the outside air. The refrigerant in the liquid phase enters the dryer, where it is cleaned, and in the final phase - to the expansion valve. Thus, a low-temperature gas is formed from it again. Thanks to the operation of the evaporator (similar to the heater) and the fan, the air entering the passenger compartment is cooled.

Air conditioning compressor and risk of damage

The A/C compressor is by far the most wear-prone component of the system. This is due to its design and operation. The compressor works by means of a pulley on which a belt is put on. There is no way to physically disconnect it from the drive when the system is not in use. What does it give in this case? The air conditioning compressor (its pulley) runs all the time while the engine is running.

Damaged air conditioner clutch - how to recognize?

This is one of those parts of the A/C compressor that you can see by looking at it (assuming the clutch is on the outside). The clutch is designed to transfer torque from the pulley to the compressor shaft, which will allow the compressor to work. When the car is equipped with a remote clutch, it is easy to see the "work" of this element. In addition, the operation of the compressor itself is heard very clearly.

Lack of oil in the air conditioning compressor - symptoms

The reason for the failure of this element may be a decrease in the play between the clutch washers and the pulley. This is what happens in components with an external clutch system. However, that's not all. Lack of oil in the A/C compressor causes seizing, which gives symptoms of noisy operation and overheating of the clutch kit. This is due to improper operation and pollution caused by careless maintenance.

How to check the air conditioning compressor clutch?

On compressors with an external push-on clutch, the gap between the disc and the pulley must be measured to check the condition. A probe is required for proper diagnosis. However, newer designs house the clutch inside the A/C compressor, making self-diagnosis difficult. Then it is necessary to visit a mechanical workshop and carry out appropriate diagnostic measures.

How to remove the air conditioning compressor clutch?

If you are sure that you can do the work yourself, you can decide to do it. Instructions for disassembling the A/C compressor clutch vary by manufacturer. However, usually this operation cannot be performed without a special key to unscrew the clutch disc. It is fixed with three holes in the body of the metal shield, so that it can be unscrewed. Before doing this, remove the retaining ring from the pulley. Then you can proceed to unscrew the clutch disc.

What should I do to safely repair the air conditioner clutch?

Under the dial, you will find a spacer and a watch ring. Be careful when deleting these items. At this point, you can freely remove the pulley. However, if it doesn't come off that easily, you can use a puller. The next step is to install new elements on the compressor shaft. Remember that when tightening the clutch disc, do not use a wrench! Do this operation by hand, turning clockwise, and the clutch will self-tighten along with the pulley.

The air conditioner compressor is an extremely important element, without which it is difficult to imagine the functioning of the entire system. However, it is subject to wear and damage, so it is worth preparing for clutch replacement work so that everything is carried out reliably and safely.