Car AC Compressor Maintenance
A running car or one with its engine turned on will eventually cause the engine to heat up. This hot engine also causes the interior of the car to become hot, necessitating air conditioning to cool the air inside the car. To increase the refrigerant pressure in the car's AC, an AC compressor needs to be installed.
AC Compressor Components
The AC compressor in a car works by pumping refrigerant, increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, which initially is low, to high after passing through the compressor. The AC compressor in a car operates by utilizing the rotation from the running engine, so if the engine is off, the compressor also stops, and the air inside the car becomes hot.
Like the human body, the compressor is the heart. Just like the heart, the compressor also has valves or elements that influence its operation. The first and most sensitive part is the magnetic clutch compressor.
If there is a problem with this compressor clutch, the AC will automatically lose its function. Problems usually arise due to damage, burning, or short-circuiting. A blown fuse causes looseness in the relay connections, thus stopping the electric current to the compressor. As a result, there is no circulation of Freon, so the AC does not feel cold.
Another equally important component is the O-ring seal made of rubber shaped like an O, functioning like a nut on a bolt, and Freon, which serves as a coolant. If the Freon runs out, it needs to be refilled. Running out of Freon can be due to frequent use or leaks, so you need to pay attention to this component if you don't want to feel hot inside the car.
In essence, the AC compressor follows the type of AC that comes with the car. Most cars are equipped with standard AC, which has a performance that is good enough to cool the interior of the car. However, sometimes standard AC cannot accommodate very high temperatures, leading to the creation of electric AC that can adjust the temperature needed to reduce extreme outside temperatures.
The advantage of this electric car AC compressor is that it can save energy output, thus saving fuel consumption and reducing gas emissions, making it more environmentally friendly and saving gasoline costs. Another advantage is that when the car engine is off, this type of AC can still operate because its compressor has its own electrical system as long as the car's electricity is still on.
Types of AC Compressors
There are several types of AC compressors used in cars. They are usually factory-installed and adjusted according to the type of vehicle. AC compressors based on their operation can be classified into two types: rotary and piston systems.
Rotary type AC compressors work by rotating the fluid or Freon to ensure even distribution. The advantage of this type of compressor is that each rotation produces the same pressure, and its smaller dimensions can save space. The downside is that the AC volume becomes smaller. This compressor has two types: through vane and scroll.
Piston type compressors work by using a back-and-forth motion in a cylinder to draw in Freon. This type of compressor has a large capacity, so the air produced feels colder compared to rotary compressors. This compressor has three types: crank, swash plate, and wobble plate.
AC Compressor Maintenance
AC compressors also need to be properly maintained. A damaged compressor will make you feel hot inside the car because the AC does not work optimally. Therefore, if there is damage to the compressor, it needs to be repaired or replaced with a new one. Damage is indicated by the appearance of a noisy AC compressor.
So when should the AC compressor be repaired or replaced? Replacement or repair of the AC compressor in your car can be done if there is friction inside the AC machine, foreign objects entering the AC machine, leaks in the lines, loss of compression, and problems with the magnetic clutch.
Friction in the AC machine can occur due to a piston running out of oil or an AC machine that has been used for a long time and has worn out. This causes a noisy sound due to the AC machine working hard.
Foreign objects that intentionally or unintentionally enter the AC machine can disrupt the performance of all AC components. If not addressed immediately, it can cause component damage. The presence of foreign objects in the machine can be detected by the noisy sound from the AC machine.
Leaks in the AC lines also need to be addressed promptly. The consequence of a leak causes the air inside the car to become hot because the refrigerant or Freon is quickly depleted. Reduced or lost compression in the AC compressor can weaken the pressure needed to pump air to the condenser. This can also produce a noisy sound from the AC, making it unable to cool the air anymore.
Improper installation of the AC can cause noisy sounds from the AC compressor. The noise arises because there are still loose parts. Therefore, it is best to leave the installation of the AC in your car to an AC workshop expert.
A problematic magnetic clutch, as previously described, can result in the total failure of the AC compressor. Don't worry, if this component has issues and produces a noisy sound or short circuits, you can take it to a workshop that handles car AC.
The car AC compressor plays a crucial role in the car's AC system, similar to how the heart pumps blood, except that what is pumped is air. If you don't want to feel hot inside the car, pay close attention to the maintenance of the AC compressor in your vehicle.
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