A/C compressor lifespan maintenance

[Boxster]

Should not be a problem

Most likely it is caused by lower temp setting.

High humidity also cause more condensations

[Dwoon]

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

 

Its abt $150 in melbourne and thus it should be about the same in singapore (this is for the flush the system, refill oil and put in new refrigerant gas). I could be wrong so i would suggest you bring the car to an aircon specialist (markcool seems to be highly reccomended in our forum) and ask them for a quote. This should also cover checking for leaks in the system.

 

I just did my aircon servicing/flush at AMK Autopoint, 2nd level.

 

It costs me $80 for the changing of the oil and to top up the refrigerant. They have this machine (Bosch) and there are basically 2 tubes that are connected to the aircon piping. After that, everything is automated. Just press button and it goes through the processes. 3 or 4 processes (not too sure) in all from drain oil,to top up oil, to refriegtant etc...overall takes about 40 minutes.

 

After effects..... car seems to run slightly cooler at same settings. There sound of the compressor kicking in (loud click/tack noise) is reduced by some 70-80%. (rather soft now). The power loss from the car due to the compressor is lesser... i.e. car feels a tad more responsive (like you drive with aircon off).... most beneficial in my case is the auto gear shifts are smoother with lesser "klunks" and whenever the "klunks" occur, it is less severe compared to before aircon servicing.

 

Just a guess..... the cutting in and out of the compressor somehow causes autobox's ECU to think that throttle is released due to sudden loss of power??? (more significant before aircon service). It then auto downshifts at a wrong point, like when I'm actually accelerating slowly... thereby causing "klunks" and erratic shifts.... Sometines, it may also upshift earlier than what I'd like.... maybe due to compressor cuts off??? Anyway, this symptom is greatlty reduced now..... and I was initially afraid somewhere in my transmission is going to kaput.....

[Elfenstar]

thats good. i noticed similar results after i had my a/c serviced. i'm guessing that the increased electrical load and increased friction as a result of the worn out oil from the unserviced compressor is to blame.

[Evilernie]

Guys for aircon related parts is it good to change back stock or after market, eg air con filter, tubing, etc..

[Hamburger]

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.

Unlikely compressor can run to freezing point because not too far from the cooling coil there might be a thermostat that trips the aircond when the OEM cold air limit is reached (about 15-20 deg C) which will drop to 20-25 deg when circulated in the cabin

 

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.

Not sure if compressor works less in our hot climate when set to any position away from COLDEST. Many climatic control re-direct some cabin air to be heated by the water radiator and then mixed with the compressor cooled air before returning to the cabin.

 

 

Suggest a simple trial to see if you are wasting energy to cool heated air with no outside ventilation. Try setting to COLDEST for 15-20 mins drive. Push a/cond button to OFF and turn selector away from COLDEST. Do you notice hot air comes in immediately. Turn back to COLDEST, do you get back cold air?

 

If the immediate hot air is part of the cabin cold air heated by the radiator, are we wasting energy to cool hot air heated by the water radiator when setting away from COLDEST?

 

anyone can comment?

simply saying,all AC is preset to a temp of say 20deg.u can set it at 25deg but still the compressor is cutting itseif at 20deg.The system just take hot air from the radiator side to warm up the cold air air b4 delivering to ur cabin.Therefor it serves no purpose to set the temp to 25 or 27deg,for the purpose of prolonging the comp life span.It actually is the same.Only lorries like cabstar still uses old school thermostst type.

Edited June 18, 2007 by Hamburger

[Ericang69]

Hi bro, totally agree with yr theory. But then the air from air-con usually getting a bit too cold during raining day or in the early morning, as it already pre-set so the only way to make the air in comfortable zone is to adjust the amount of cooling water (radiator water) to bypass and warm up the air a bit.

 

"So wasting energy to cool hot air heated by the water radiator when setting away from COLDEST" ---- this is no choice inorder to get what i say above -------- cheers

[Rairai]

Glad to know that. Thanks!

[Panalogic]

how much will it cost to replace a compressor? for a jap 1.5 car?

 

is it worth it to go through so much trouble?

[Hamburger]

when it is too cold,i switch off the a/c button manually.troublesome?yes.Save petrol?big yes too,n not 4geting it really helps prolonging the life span of a/c comp.btw,re heating e cold air will make it even drier.

[Pdesign1]

I just did my aircon servicing/flush at AMK Autopoint, 2nd level.

 

It costs me $80 for the changing of the oil and to top up the refrigerant. They have this machine (Bosch) and there are basically 2 tubes that are connected to the aircon piping. After that, everything is automated. Just press button and it goes through the processes. 3 or 4 processes (not too sure) in all from drain oil,to top up oil, to refriegtant etc...overall takes about 40 minutes.

 

Bro, can tell me what is the workshop name? They did a good job? Thanks

[Ericang69]

A new compressor may cost you around 5~6 hundred dollars, second hand around 200+

[Ericang69]

Just dont understand, you mean by topping up the refrigerant and compressor oil together in same process?????????

[Dwoon]

I dunno if they did a good job since all it involves is to connect 2 lines to the machine.

 

Everthing else if taken over automatically as mentioned. Of course you need to select the buttons sequence and finally key in the amount of refrigerant (in one of the processes) to be input by the machine.

[Evilernie]

I hope I get correctly the compressor is it a cannister kind of parts? I recall I change two things from my air con please top up and checking for leaking everything about $600. I do it at a workshop around Ubi which happen to open on a Sunday. I think its Kim Koe or something need to check.

[Ericang69]

The air-con compresser is not a cannister kind of parts, it is a cast iron block with crankshaft, piston etc etc. like a engine driven via a belt.

[Dipstick]

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

 

Its abt $150 in melbourne and thus it should be about the same in singapore (this is for the flush the system, refill oil and put in new refrigerant gas). I could be wrong so i would suggest you bring the car to an aircon specialist (markcool seems to be highly reccomended in our forum) and ask them for a quote. This should also cover checking for leaks in the system.

 

I just did my aircon servicing/flush at AMK Autopoint, 2nd level.

 

It costs me $80 for the changing of the oil and to top up the refrigerant. They have this machine (Bosch) and there are basically 2 tubes that are connected to the aircon piping. After that, everything is automated. Just press button and it goes through the processes. 3 or 4 processes (not too sure) in all from drain oil,to top up oil, to refriegtant etc...overall takes about 40 minutes.

 

After effects..... car seems to run slightly cooler at same settings. There sound of the compressor kicking in (loud click/tack noise) is reduced by some 70-80%. (rather soft now). The power loss from the car due to the compressor is lesser... i.e. car feels a tad more responsive (like you drive with aircon off).... most beneficial in my case is the auto gear shifts are smoother with lesser "klunks" and whenever the "klunks" occur, it is less severe compared to before aircon servicing.

 

Just a guess..... the cutting in and out of the compressor somehow causes autobox's ECU to think that throttle is released due to sudden loss of power??? (more significant before aircon service). It then auto downshifts at a wrong point, like when I'm actually accelerating slowly... thereby causing "klunks" and erratic shifts.... Sometines, it may also upshift earlier than what I'd like.... maybe due to compressor cuts off??? Anyway, this symptom is greatlty reduced now..... and I was initially afraid somewhere in my transmission is going to kaput.....

 

Can PM me the shop name and address? Tks.

[Evilernie]

Any other car air con workshop open on Sunday?

[Dipstick]

Your post should be addressed to Dwoon........