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.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German global car manufacturer and a division of Daimler AG. They were established over 100 years ago in 1926 and have grown to be the biggest selling premium vehicle brand in the world.

How popular is Mercedes in the United Kingdom?

The number of Mercedes cars on the road in the UK continues to rise, reaching 1.9million by the final quarter of 2018. There are almost 5 times as many Mercedes cars on the road as there were in 1995, showing just how popular this marque has grown to be.

Helping these powerful statistics on their way, the Mercedes A-Class was announced as the 8th best selling car in the UK in 2018. The premium family hatchback is vying for position against the ever-popular VW Golf—the current leader in this class.

Premium executive models of every shape and size

Mercedes deliver hatchbacks, saloons, estates and coupés at every size from their A- to E-Class ranges, as well as executive SUVs, the V-Class MPV, and of course, a more than desirable selection of convertibles and roadsters.

With prices rising to well over £100k, Mercedes cars are a great contender as the executive car of choice.

Mercedes-Benz: Giants of Formula One

Mercedes has always been a keen player within the F1 championship, taking their first 2 titles back in 1954 and 1955. Through the 1990s they joined forces with McLaren as an engine provider and part owner, bringing titles for both Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton and a constructors championship in 1988.

Their current and outright domination of the sport began in 2014, as a team in their own right, it has featured 5 straight constructors titles, with Lewis Hamilton taking 4 world championships and Nico Rosberg taking the other in 2016.

Mercedes’s reliability and reputation

Mercedes ranked 26th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018 with an efficiency rating of 88%. You could be forgiven for expecting German efficiency to rank higher through the marques, however, most of the top 10 places were occupied by Japanese and Asian manufacturers.

Recent Mercedes recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Mercedes models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

25/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and Mercedes-Benz CLS (2017–2018)

The riveting of the front seat belt housing covers may inadequate under low temperatures

18/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz x-Class (2017–2019)

Defective operating manual can cause the roof load to be exceeded if a canopy is subsequently fitted

18/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2018)

Missing cover on the sliding door of the stowage space

12/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2018)

The rear door spoiler may not be secured enough due to an adhesive bond

04/05/2019 – Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell (2017–2018)

The sleep mode functionality of the electronic parking brake within the stability program software may be defective

19/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2019)

The passenger airbag cover on the instrument panel ins inadequate

19/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz X-Class (2017–2018)

The foot space lamp on the driver’s side can become detached

13/04/2019 – Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo (2017–2018)

There is a possibility of red rust corrosion on metallic components of the roof frame reinforcement

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.