Where is the car air conditioning compressor installed?
2 Answers
The lower right corner of the engine belt, below the alternator. The car air conditioning compressor is installed on the engine, and it is driven by a belt between the compressor and the engine. You can locate the specific position of the car air conditioning compressor by finding the belt. Here is some relevant information about the car air conditioning compressor: 1. The car air conditioning compressor is the heart of the car air conditioning refrigeration system, responsible for compressing and transporting refrigerant vapor. Compressors are divided into fixed displacement and variable displacement types. According to different working principles, air conditioning compressors can be categorized into fixed displacement compressors and variable displacement compressors. 2. In the entire system, the compressor is responsible for compressing and driving the refrigerant. Driven by the engine, it continuously inhales the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant vapor generated by heat absorption and vaporization in the evaporator. After compression, it forms high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant vapor, which is discharged to the condenser, creating high-pressure conditions for the refrigerant to continuously condense and release heat in the condenser. At the same time, it overcomes the circulation resistance of the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, the car's air conditioning compressor is usually installed at the front of the engine compartment, fixed right next to the engine near the front of the car. This is because it needs to be connected to the engine via a belt to operate, so the compressor starts cooling as soon as the car is turned on. I remember last summer when I was on a business trip, the air conditioning suddenly stopped cooling. After pulling over to check, I found the compressor was making strange noises. When I popped the hood, I immediately spotted that metal cylinder clamped onto its bracket. The positioning is designed for efficient power transmission and heat dissipation, but dust buildup or belt aging can easily lead to malfunctions. Later at the repair shop, the mechanic mentioned that removing it was quite troublesome—some piping components had to be detached, which took time and raised concerns about refrigerant leaks. That’s why during every maintenance session, I always remind them to check the compressor’s condition and belt tension to avoid suffering from a broken AC during long trips.
