The air conditioning compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. Its proper operation and durability are affected by both correct installation and proper operation of other elements of the air conditioning system and servicing. An air conditioning failure does not immediately mean that the air conditioning compressor itself is to blame for the failure, as the failure may be caused by reasons outside this part - therefore the most important thing before installing a new compressor is to determine the cause of the failure of the old device.
Key aspects to pay attention to when installing your new compressor carefully and correctly:
- the cause of damage to the old compressor must be determined;
- a visual inspection and assessment of the technical condition of the air conditioning system should be carried out, including an assessment of the condition of the condenser (air conditioning cooler). In the case of significant corrosion damage and louvers (lamellae) loss of the condenser, it is recommended to install a new air conditioning condenser. Insufficient performance of the old air conditioning condenser can cause the compressor to work at increased pressure, "heating" of the compressor, its excessive load and accelerated wear or seizure;
- if the air conditioning compressor seizes, in order to eliminate filings from the condenser and the system, it is recommended to install a new air conditioning condenser - especially with parallel ("chamber") condensers, efficient but difficult to rinse, in which filings settle;
- when dismantling the old compressor, protect the hoses going to the compressor so that no dirt gets into them;
- before installing a new compressor, flush the air-conditioning system properly using R134a refrigerant or dedicated fluids. Nissens recommends the use of special agents intended for rinsing the air conditioning system, due to their much greater effectiveness. Then make sure that there is no flushing agent left in the system and drain the system. Use nitrogen to dry the system if necessary;
- a new air conditioning compressor cannot be flushed (!), nor can dryers and expansion valves or throttling nozzles;
- new components of the air conditioning system must be installed: dryer, expansion valve or orifice;
- check the amount of oil in the new air conditioning compressor and, if necessary, adjust the amount of oil to the level required in a given car. When adding oil, use oil of the right type and viscosity, according to the car manufacturer's specifications;
- then turn the compressor shaft about 10 times by hand to pre-distribute the oil inside the compressor;
- when installing a new compressor, be careful not to get any debris into the compressor and system. The plugs on the compressor connections should be removed immediately before the hoses are assembled;
- use new o-rings and seals in connections that have been dismantled;
- check the condition of the compressor drive belt tensioner, the condition of the alternator clutch and the condition of the one-way clutch for beltless compressor drives. The correct position and tension of the compressor drive belt must be set. Broken one-way clutches must be replaced with new ones;
- the air-conditioning system should be filled, in accordance with the technical procedures for car air-conditioning repairs, with the appropriate amount of working medium, according to the car manufacturer's specifications;
- the car should be left for a few minutes with the engine running, idling, with the air conditioning system turned on and the compressor turned on, and the correct operation of the air conditioning system should be checked.
