Air Conditioning Compressor

Signs of Wear & Troubleshooting

• Lack of or insufficient cooling, excessive clicking sounds, unusual noises, or growling when using the A/C system could be a sign of a worn A/C compressor or components. This could be due to:
• Internal compressor fault
• A/C clutch or electrical circuit failure
• A broken or loose drive belt

• Your A/C system must be maintained with the correct level of refrigerant and appropriate pressure to work properly. An A/C system leak, which could result in incorrect fluid or pressure levels, could potentially harm or interfere with the performance of your A/C system. This would result in lack of or insufficient cooling performance. Common causes of A/C system leaks include:
• Worn or damaged service valves and caps
• Worn hoses
• Loose connections
• Seal failures
• Damaged components
• Worn or damaged compressor shaft seal
• Worn or damaged evaporator
• Worn or damaged condenser
• Worn or damaged compressor seals
• A/C system component corrosion
• Missing service cap

• To check your A/C system for leaks:
• Use a leak detection dye, such as ACDelco Fluorescent Tracer Dye. Be sure to use the dye that is specified for use with your systems oil and refrigerant type.
• Look for dirt or containment build up around hose or line connections. This could be a sign that oil, which would attract and hold contaminants, is leaking out of the connection.

Good Maintenance Practices

• Your vehicle's air conditioning (A/C) system should be routinely checked by a professional technician. This should occur approximately every 12 months, though you should check your owner's manual for more specific recommendations. Any related maintenance should be handled only by professionals. If you notice any of the following conditions, have your vehicle checked right away:
• Musty smell when the air conditioning or heating system is activated
• Inadequate cooling or heating temperatures when using the air conditioning or heating system
• The vehicle's temperature gauge indicates a ‘red' condition
• Steam coming from the engine compartment
• Unusual smells inside or outside the vehicle

• Your A/C system requires proper air flow to operate effectively. Poor air flow across the condenser will impact system performance and can increase refrigerant system pressure. Make sure air flow into your system is not obstructed by bugs, leaves, dirt, or other contaminates in between tune ups.

• Your A/C system is a sealed system, which includes different components connected by hoses, tubes, or lines. To keep the system leak free, inlet and outlet fittings have O-rings or seal washers, and the lines have leak free fittings. To help prevent leaks in the A/C System, follow these guidelines when servicing connections:
• Use the proper O-ring for the system
• Thoroughly clean all fittings and do not over torque beyond what is recommended
• Always lubricate O-rings with clean refrigerant oil
• Always replace sealing caps on service ports
• Recover refrigerant from the system when or if necessary
• Keep dirt and foreign material from all sealing surfaces

• When replacing your compressor, it is very important to use suction screens and inline filters on liquid lines. These filters and screens will catch any debris in the system to avoid damage to the new compressor. ACDelco also recommends system flushing using native refrigerant before installing a new compressor.