What are the methods to determine if a car compressor is broken?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a car compressor is broken include: 1. Engine speed does not increase; 2. Air conditioning does not cool. The reasons for car compressor failure are: 1. The air conditioning system is not clean; 2. Excessive refrigerant or lubricating oil in the system; 3. The compressor operates for a long time under high temperature and high pressure conditions; 4. The compressor lacks oil and wears out; 5. The electromagnetic clutch of the compressor slips and generates high friction temperature; 6. The power configuration of the compressor is too small. The maintenance methods for car compressors are: 1. Choose an appropriate air conditioning temperature; 2. Immediately activate the internal circulation mode when entering the car in summer; 3. Use the air conditioning in a fully enclosed state; 4. Direct the air outlet upward when using cold air and downward when using warm air.
I've found that a faulty compressor usually shows obvious signs. When driving, the AC blowing completely hot air is probably the most direct warning. The compressor makes a humming or clicking sound when working, but if it's broken, the sound becomes abnormal or disappears. Open the hood to inspect the compressor, which is generally located near the front of the engine – the rotating part of the clutch should move; if it doesn't, there's an issue. Additionally, the AC lines might leak oil or show oil stains, indicating poor sealing. Don’t ignore these signs, as compressor failure can affect the entire AC system. I’ve encountered this a few times, and timely repairs prevented bigger losses. I recommend testing the AC to see if the cooling effect has weakened – it’s the simplest daily check. Don’t wait until summer when the heat becomes unbearable.
