Seat 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.

Seat

Seat S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer, founded over 65 years ago in 1950.

In 1986, the German Volkswagen Group bought Seat from the Spanish government to become the owner and operator of this established marque.

How popular is Seat in the United Kingdom?

Since the VW takeover, the number of Seat cars on the roads in the UK has grown steadily to over 500k.

Marketing similar cars to different markets

Although the structure and engineering behind all of the Volkswagen Group’s cars are closely related, based on very similar systems and practices, VW has aimed Seat at a market that offers something a bit different to Audi and VW.

Seat: Affordable, youthful versions of established models

Given that the brands under the VW umbrella (not forgetting Skoda too) all carry similar architecture, what sets the Seat models apart from their counterparts is their character, price-point and their ability to deliver slightly sportier handling due to their tuning. When you think of Seat, you think fun. VW: solid. Skoda: value. And Audi is for the executive.

So despite all being very similar machines under the hood, VW has created each of them to sit in quite different marketplaces. The Leon, for example, will appeal to a different type of driver to the Octavia or the Golf (and the Audi A3) despite being almost the same car. The same goes for the Ibiza, the Arona and the rest of the models in the Seat range.

Seat’s reliability and reputation

Seat ranked 10th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018.

Pitted against the other makes under the VW umbrella, it was Skoda who ranked highest in 7th place, with VW and Audi performing less admirably at 17th and 20th respectively.

Recent Seat recalls and reliability issues

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

26/04/2019 – Seat Ateca (2018)

The locking pin for securing the head restraints may be missing from the central rear seat

13/04/2019 – Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona (2016–2018)

Due to an incorrect setting, the handbrake may have to travel further to ensure immobilisation

17/02/2019 – Seat Ateca (2018)

The fitting of the headrest in the rear seat’s backrest may be defective

24/08/2018 – Seat Ibiza TGI-CNG (2018)

The nuts of the gas pipes may not be sufficiently tightened, causing a leak of gas

27/07/2018 – Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona (2018)

The seat-belt buckles may open unexpectedly

23/03/2018 – Seat Alhambra, Seat Ibiza, Seat Leon and Seat Altea (2011)

The spring on the starter relay may remain in the wrong position

04/03/2018 – Seat Alhambra (2016–2017)

The passenger airbag module may have been produced with an inadequate welded connection

04/03/2018 – Seat Leon (2014–2015)

In the event of deployment of the passenger airbag, the casing of the gas generator could be damaged

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