What does an air conditioning compressor do?
The AC compressor pumps and pressurises the refrigerant through the air conditioning system, feeding cold air into your car. The compressor is powered by your car’s engine.
How often should a compressor need replacing?
A well-maintained and properly serviced compressor could last as long as your car does. However, as with all vehicle components, they’re prone to wear and tear. Leakage and blockage can create irreparable damage.
The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT
A **faulty air compressor **won’t affect your car’s MOT, but it can affect the comfort of you and your passengers. It’s worth keeping your air conditioning running correctly as the impact it can have on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency could affect the day-to-day cost of your motoring.
What happens when we replace your AC compressor?
Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will check for possible fault codes relating to your air conditioning that could lead them directly to a compressor fault.
The air conditioning system will be checked thoroughly, including electric and pressure components.
Wherever required your compressor will be replaced, and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction. Important associated parts will also be removed and cleaned.
You will be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle. This includes replacement of refrigerant and possibly the orifice tube and receiver dryer.
Once the faulty compressor has been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure the correct running of the new part and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.
What causes an AC compressor to stop working correctly?
Over time, the internal components of a compressor can wear or fail, including the seals that cannot be replaced independently.
In other cases, the valves, pistons, bearings or clutch may need replacing, and it could be a cheaper option to replace the complete unit rather than each of the individual parts.
Your compressor may have stopped working properly due to infiltration by dirt and debris, or from being affected by other faulty parts in the system.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning AC compressor
Your air con doesn’t work
If the air conditioning in your car doesn’t function as it normally would then it could be down to a faulty compressor.
There is no cool air
If your air vents aren’t producing cool air when your AC is operational, it could be your compressor that’s malfunctioning.
Your fuel consumption isn’t as good as normal
A malfunctioning compressor could also affect your fuel consumption, so if you notice that you’re not achieving your usual mpg, it could be time to have your compressor checked.
Unusual noises in the engine bay
If you hear a ticking noise coming from your engine, then this could be a sign that your compressor is damaged.
The AC unit is damp
If there are patches of fluid around the AC unit, this could also be a sign of a faulty compressor.
Honda
The Honda Motor Company is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate corporation—to give them their full title. Primarily a motorcycle manufacturer (since 1959) and engine producer (producing more than 14million each year), Honda became the 8th largest automobile manufacturer in the world in 2015.
How popular is Honda in the United Kingdom?
With around 800k Honda cars on the roads in the UK, this marque is a popular and trusted household name.
Long lasting sensibly-priced cars
On the surface, Honda cars look fairly traditional, but this is a brand that doesn’t necessarily follow the pack; they often provide something unique to each of their models.
For example, the Jazz pitched against the most popular car in the UK, the Ford Fiesta, is actually a more practical option than most of its rivals. For a small car, it has an abundance of interior space and very flexible and practical boot.
The Civic is brave enough to make a strong style in design statement in a market where other brands are edging towards conservative.
And the CR-V was the first of the SUV models to stop pretending it was an off-road vehicle and focused its priorities on its road based driving dynamics despite its off-road styling.
Honda motorsports: A long-standing history in Formula One
Honda’s first appearance in Formula One racing as a constructor came in 1964 at the German Grand Prix.
After a mixed introduction, marred by tragedy with the death of driver Jo Schlesser in the French Grand Prix of 1968 Honda took a back seat until their return in 1983 to power the Williams team, where they won 6 consecutive Constructors Championships.
Following the successes with Williams, they partnered with McLaren in 1988, going on to win titles in 4 different seasons.
Their return in 2013, again providing engines for the McLaren team, was met with much less success. After 3 seasons without a single podium finish, Honda was dropped in favour of a Renault built engine.
Honda’s reliability and reputation
Honda ranked 15th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Their placing could be considered a little lower down the list than expected, given that it was mostly Japanese and Asian manufacturers to lead the field (Suzuki, Lexus and Toyota taking the top spots).
Recent Honda recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Honda models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
04/05/2019 – Honda Civic (2001–2005), Honda Accord (2004–2006) and Honda Odyssey (2004)
Replacement service parts from the previous recall may be defective
30/03/2019 – Honda Odyssey (2017–2018)
The locking system may become jammed
20/01/2019 – Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda City, Honda Jazz, Honda Insight, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot (2010–2015)
Defect in the gas generator of the front-seat passenger airbag
31/08/2018 – Honda HR-V (2014–2018)
The cabin wiring harness might not be correctly secured on the front left chassis rail
22/06/2018 – Honda Civic (2016–2017)
There is no side vent in the backrest of the front seat
22/02/2018 – Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Jazz and Honda Insight (2009–2010)
In the event of airbag deployment, the internal pressure of the airbag may be excessive
03/02/2018 – Honda Odyssey (2010–2017)
The second row of the outboard seats is not properly secured
12/11/2017 – Honda Accord (2013–2016)
The battery sensor’s plastic housing may not be resistant to the penetration of moisture
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.
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