Air Conditioning Compressor repair & replacement made easy

The compressor pumps and pressurises the AC refrigerant through the system past the system's evaporator which feeds the air into the cabin. The compressor is directly powered by the engine, off its serpentine belt.

• Mechanic will read the ECU for possible fault codes related to the AC system.
• Mechanic will inspect the AC system and the AC compressor.
• Mechanic will check the pressure and electricity in the AC compressor.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the AC compressor.
• Mechanic will remove the refrigerant.
• Mechanic will take out the compressor and ancillaries (like the orifice tube and receiver dryer).
• Mechanic will cleanse the AC system.
• Mechanic will fit the new compressor and, if applicable, receiver dryer and orifice tube.
• Mechanic will refill the system with refrigerant.
• Mechanic will inspect the system for leaks and test the system to see if it works properly.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an air conditioning compressor replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• When the air conditioning does not work.
• When there is no cool air coming from the air vents when the system is turned on.
• Poor fuel consumption.
• When there is a ticking noise coming from the engine bay.
• When there are patches of fluid on and around the AC unit.

The time an air conditioning compressor replacement will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Seeing that the AC compressor is especially prone to wear over time it should always be serviced as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer.

The compressor comprises a variety of internal parts which, over time, can of course wear or fail. Sometimes the seals of the compressor can fail, in other cases pistons, valves, bearings or the AC's clutch might need replacing.

This depends on a number of factors, including on the type AC compressor fitted to your vehicle. Generally if your air conditioning compressor's pulley is broken then the belt will likely not be able to move freely which in turn can affect other items driven off the belt and in turn the engine. It is recommended to always check with a professional mechanic if it is identified that the AC compressor is bad.

If you're unsure whether your AC compressor needs replacing we would recommend to book a diagnostic with a professional mechanic. The mechanic can check and advise on next steps.

Typical symptoms that could mean the AC compressor is bad could include:

• AC does not deliver cold air from vents
• Clicking sound from the engine compartment
• AC does not switch on

The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system, helping circulate refrigerant through the system. The compressor pumps the refrigerant through the condenser, where it is cooled, and then through the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the interior of the vehicle.

You don't necessarily need to replace the whole AC unit - a faulty AC compressor can be replaced independently of the AC system. However, it's good to check what the mechanic recommends as sometimes if the unit is older than 10 years it can cause further problems. Sometimes the faulty AC compressor can also impact other components of the AC unit.

Yes, an AC compressor can be repaired and is usually a specialist job. However, depending on the severity of the damage, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire unit.

Typically, you can expect the AC compressor to last 10-15 years or even the entire lifetime of the car depending on how well you maintain it. It's important to ensure not to overuse, underuse the Air Conditioning system along with routine service and maintenance for a problem-free AC unit.

A broken AC compressor should generally not cause any problems with the operation of the vehicle. Keep in mind that as long as the compressor pulley is rotating smoothly, without any noise, it shouldn't affect belt tension or operation of the other belt-driven accessories. It is best to consult with a qualified mechanic what the consequences are for your vehicle type as it can differ from model to model.

A compressor is a device that increases the pressure of a gas or the refrigerant which absorbs the heat and cools the air. The condenser then rapidly cools the compressed gas and is condensed to a liquid state.

No, a faulty ac compressor would normally not result in your car failing its MOT. The AC compressor is a vital component of the air conditioning system in a car but it is not regarded as safety-critical so it is not checked during an MOT.