What Causes a Car Compressor to Fail?
3 Answers
Main causes of air conditioning compressor damage include: 1. Contamination: Unclean air conditioning system with particulate impurities being sucked into the compressor. 2. Refrigerant: Excessive refrigerant in the system, leading to compressor "liquid slugging" and damage. 3. Operating Conditions: Prolonged operation under high temperature and high-pressure harsh conditions. 4. Oil Deficiency: Severe lack of oil in the compressor, causing excessive wear. 5. Electromagnetic Clutch: Slipping of the compressor's electromagnetic clutch, resulting in excessive friction heat. Damage to the car air conditioning compressor can lead to the following issues: 1. Air Conditioning: The air conditioner fails to cool, the most obvious sign of compressor failure. 2. Drive Belt: Cracks appearing on the compressor drive belt. 3. Clutch: Abnormal intermittent engagement of the clutch. 4. Bearing: Unusual noises from the compressor clutch bearing.
My car's compressor broke down last summer, nearly making me pass out from the heat. There are many common causes, such as insufficient or leaking refrigerant (commonly known as Freon), which can cause the compressor to burn out from running idle; impurities in the system clogging the pipes, making the compressor work overload; loose or aged belts failing to transmit power properly; electrical circuit issues like loose connections or blown fuses; and prolonged use of the air conditioning in hot weather, causing the compressor to overheat and suffer mechanical wear. I remember it broke down after a long drive, with no cooling effect at all, forcing me to drive with the windows down, which was not only fuel-consuming but also dangerous. To avoid such incidents, it's recommended to regularly top up the Freon, get maintenance at reputable shops, and clean the air conditioning system. If the compressor fails early, repairing it might still be an option, but if left too long, even replacing it becomes expensive and can affect other components.
Compressor failures are mostly caused by improper maintenance. Based on my experience, common causes include refrigerant leakage or poor quality, which corrodes internal components; faulty circuit control units sending erratic signals that cause the compressor to malfunction; incorrect belt tension leading to loosening or detachment during operation; and insufficient or aerated oil, resulting in poor lubrication and eventual seizure. For diagnosis, start by listening for sounds—if the compressor starts but no cold air is produced, it might be a refrigerant issue; if there's a humming noise during startup, it could be belt-related. A simple solution is to visit a workshop to check refrigerant pressure and circuit voltage before a complete breakdown. With increased summer usage, proactive maintenance can save significant costs.
