Renault compressor replacement

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.

Renault

Groupe Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer, established over 120 years ago in 1899.

How popular is Renault in the United Kingdom?

This French marque has around 1.4million vehicles on the road in the UK today. Their numbers peaked between 2007 and 2008 at over 2million vehicles, yet have been on a slow decline ever since.

Sensibly priced options for middle of the road vehicles

Renault makes a wide-ranging selection of respectable vehicles.

As you’ll find with most manufacturers in today’s market, the cream of their crop lies with their SUV models. Other stand-outs are the RS models built for a much more fun driving experience and the electric models that are also sitting impressively in a steadily growing market.

Renault: a constant contender in all manner of motorsports

In the 1970s, Renault set up a dedicated motorsport division that went on to take the winners title in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1978, with the Renault Alpine A442. They have been competing and achieving successes in both rallying and Formula One ever since.

Renault Formula One

Renault debuted their first formula one car (and team) at Silverstone in 1977; it was the first of its kind to include a turbo engine. The team continued until 1986 and shortly after, in 1989, they began to supply engines to the successful Williams-Renault car.

The Benetton team was renamed Renault F1 in 2002, and the team went on to win the constructors championship in both 2005 and 2006 with Spaniard Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

More recently, Renault powered the winning Red Bull Racing team in 2010 and returned to racing as a team in their own right, from the 2016 season onwards.

Renault’s reliability and reputation

Renault ranked 19th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. The highest to lowest scores ranged from 97.7% (Suzuki) to 76.5% (Land Rover), suggesting Renault’s 91.7% rating is probably a little better than the ranking position suggests.

Recent Renault recalls and reliability issues

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

05/04/2019 – Renault Scenic, Renault Kadjar and Renault Megane (2018)

Capacitors may crack under mechanical stress of the electronic board and overheat

24/03/2019 – Renault Traffic (2017–2018)

The mounting position of the plastic belt guides may be incorrect

12/01/2019 – Renault Clio and Renault Captur (2018)

The catalytic converter has not been correctly welded

04/01/2019 – Renault Megane RS (2018)

Due to a defect in the engine compartment, the battery wiring could be cut

04/05/2018 – Renault Scenic (2016)

The LED module for monitoring and managing the actuation of the rear lights of the trailer could be damaged

13/04/2018 – Renault Clio and Renault Captur (2012–2017)

The dipped headlamp beams may face downwards as a result of the headlamp beam height correction system not working

13/04/2018 – Renault Clio, Renault Captur and Renault Zoe (2017)

Cracks may form in the front wheel hub

08/04/2018 – Renault Zoe (2016–2018)

A component in the parking brake mechanism may be defective

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