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.
Vauxhall
Vauxhall Motors Ltd. is a British car brand owned by German manufacturer Opel. Initially founded in 1857, but didn’t begin to build cars until 1903, the brand is officially over 160 years old.
How popular is Vauxhall in the United Kingdom?
Their popularity can be easily quantified by the 3.9million Vauxhall cars on the road in the UK today.
Vauxhall: A car for every need
By their own admission, Vauxhall has a car for the school run, a trip to the shops, a cross-country holiday, being the face of your business or delivering a van-load of goods. With such a wide range of vehicles, they’ve got every avenue covered.
A forward-thinking company with traditional values
Throughout their extensive history in the automotive industry, Vauxhall has featured predominantly in all areas. It produced the first sports car, also the first car to achieve over 100mph, it has launched award-winning models and consistently introduced pioneering technology.
Their core brand values claim to be:
- Ingenious—offering brilliant mobility
- Progressive—as forward-thinking and innovative
- Approachable—being authentic and simple
The UK’s 3rd best selling car of 2018: The Vauxhall Corsa
Competing with Ford Fiesta and VW Golf for the top-selling car in the UK, the Vauxhall Corsa has become a household favourite—and why not? Their supermini hatchback is stylish, nippy and economical to run. Neatly finished inside and out with a host of modern technology and features, you’re getting plenty of car for your money and all backed with Vauxhall’s reputation for building cars that go the distance.
Vauxhall’s reliability and reputation
Vauxhall ranked joint 11th place with Mazda out of the 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Their reliability efficiency score of 94.6% wasn’t too big a jump from top of the tree marque Suzuki, who scored only 3% more at 97.7%.
Recent Vauxhall recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Vauxhall models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
30/12/2016 – Vauxhall Meriva (2009–2011)
It is possible that the steel cable for attaching the seatbelt tensioner on the outer side of the seat may suffer fatigue
11/11/2016 – Vauxhall Adam (2014–2015)
Cracks in the steering box’s rack and pinion may lead to breakage and to steering failure
26/03/2016 – Vauxhall Zafira (2005–2014)
The resistor of the heater fan motor may not perform as intended
13/05/2016 – Vauxhall Vivaro (2013–2014)
An incorrectly installed passenger airbag module may increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident
13/05/2016 – Vauxhall Movano (2015)
An oil hose may be incorrectly crimped
06/05/2016 – Vauxhall Mokka (2015–2016)
Water ingress in the electronic brake control module control unit may cause a short-circuit
13/11/2015 – Vauxhall Mokka (2015)
A faulty steering column torque sensor can lead to a loss of steering assistance
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.
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