A/C compressor lifespan maintenance

[Kozmix]

i ask around some mech but seems there is 2 schools of thoughts regarding how to prolong compressor lifespan:

 

1. set thermostat to coldest, so that the compressor will keep running because if set to middle/lower, the compressor will shut on/off/on/off repeatedly which will shorten the lifespan of the compressor.

 

2. set thermostat to middle/lower, so that the compressor will cut off earlier, and the compressor will not need to work so hard continously to generate "freezing" air.

 

anyone can comment?

[Redboy]

from what I know, it is generally not advisable to set to coldest due to what u have mentioned. If u want colder air, better to increase fan speed & keep thermostat in middle.

So compressor dun have to work so hard & FC better!

Of course, if u are the type who feel u cannot tahan the heat, can just set to coldest & keep it there. Constant switching of thermostat might cause premature damage. So it's really up to individual preferences! If u feel hot easily, no point switch to lowest & u sweat while driving, rite? Buy car is to enjoy & not to suffer!

Edited December 12, 2006 by Redboy

[Lordlonewolf]

Basically the first is suited to invertor compressor as they are design to run 24 hrs .

The second is for normal compressor which is our car compressor .

 

On prolonging the lifespan of any aircon compressor is to go for normal maintenance like topping up of freon r134a gas and changing of the compressor oil.

[No_worries]

If set to the coldest, i.e, maximum blue, the evaporator will tend to freeze and will spoil more easily. So if you ask around, there will be different opinions. I usually set to maximum when it is sunny outside and to middle at night.

 

We already paid so much for our ride and so don't think too hard and just enjoy it.

[Defelio]

i also thought to. but someone advise me to turn to max blue and play witht eh fan speed instead. Cos the temp is adjusted by how much hot/warm air is mix into it. So you would turn on your 'heater' bah.

[Mzrmazda3]

We already paid so much for our ride and so don't think too hard and just enjoy it.

 

Agree Bro Life is already stressful enough

 

My previous ride had it's compressor mati only at it's 5th year without any top up of aircon gas & servicing plus i on it to the coldest all day long

Edited December 13, 2006 by Mzrmazda3

[Raining]

Echo that bro

 

Since we are on the topic on maintenance ...how often our aircon needs servicing to maintain it on its tip top running condition? Similar to our ride's 5-10k maintence, whats the timeframe needed for car's aircon servicing...

Read many where on adding aircon enhancement/flushing/cleaning evaporator/change aircon oil etc... what is needed whats is extra ?

[F1fan]

my previous mechanic who also specialises in air-con recommends top up of aircon oil every year or so. According to him, this is a tip which many mechanics do not share coz they want to earn your money to change the compressor.

 

most compressors koyak because of friction, no more oil inside.

[Elfenstar]

get the compressor oil changed once a year, get the piping flushed and oil changed every 2 years and make sure that you turn on your a/c for abt 5 mins everyweek to ensure the seals don't dry out.

 

Other than that just use it as you want to. like our other bro said, we've paid so much for our cars already, might as well enjoy it!

[No_worries]

There is also another school of thought which subscribe to the view that if nothing wrong with the A/C system, then don't touch it, not even top up of oil.

[Yeobh]

Preventive mainteance is a must if you want to prolong the life of any machineries.Without , it will die prematurely and in total the bill of replacement may burnt a much bigger hole in yr pocket.

[Meganeii]

Hi, can I check whether our compressor needs to be dismantled to change its oil?

[Dwoon]

Any idea how mcuh it costs to do it here in Sgp?

[Sky8807]

i ask around some mech but seems there is 2 schools of thoughts regarding how to prolong compressor lifespan:

 

1. set thermostat to coldest, so that the compressor will keep running because if set to middle/lower, the compressor will shut on/off/on/off repeatedly which will shorten the lifespan of the compressor.

 

2. set thermostat to middle/lower, so that the compressor will cut off earlier, and the compressor will not need to work so hard continously to generate "freezing" air.

 

anyone can comment?

 

Normally, the filter, evaporator/condensor and other aircon acc components will fail b4 the compressor. By that time most would have sold their car.

The compressor is designed to work very hard anyway, cutting in and out all the times is what the compressor is designed for. Not to worry abt this component too much.

[Mercuri]

Yes, need to have them dismantled to change its oil.

[Weixiang_06]

if the repairman is not competent enough, later dismantled liaoz even more problemz...

[Ghostrider]

Anything that is mechnical if used to the exterem would have more wear & tear. If you rev your engine to the max to extract more power and dun upshift, your engine will wear out faster.

 

For aircon, I usually set the temp slightly above max (3/4 power) so that the termo has a chance to take a break on and off. Its design to cut off once it reach your desired temp. If your compressor needs to be on all the time, 2 things, 1 begin your compressor not large enuff to cool to the set temp or yoyr termo is screwed.

 

If set to the max and compressor runs all the time, chances are your dryer will freeze up and reduce the airflow. For long runs (like SIN-KL trips) its best that you do not set your temp max.

 

Another thing is remember to switch off your compressor before you start your car, that will reduce the loading on your starter and prolong both the compressor and starter motor.

Edited December 14, 2006 by Ghostrider

[Yeobh]

No dismantling is required. Some air-con gas already have lub oil and for those that don't have the mechanics can inject in the oil manually or fix the device in inline with the gas bottle so that as the gas is been suck into the compressor the oil mist wil follow. Over filling is bad and may affect the air-con gas ability to absorbe and transfer heat.