The car cooler consists of several components, among which the compressor plays an undeniable role. This part is responsible for producing cold air and cooling the interior of the car and is considered one of the main equipment of cars in hot and summer seasons. For this reason, in this article, we are going to examine how the air conditioner compressor works, its types, components, and signs of failure of the car air conditioner compressor.
What is a car air conditioner compressor?
The compressor is one of the most important components of the air conditioning system that puts the refrigerant (cooling fluid) under high pressure before pumping it to the condenser to turn it from a gas to a liquid. In order for the air conditioning system to work well, it needs a properly functioning compressor. Without a compressor, practically one of the main stages of air cooling of the cooler will not be done.
How does a cooler compressor work?
Before anything else, it is better to have a complete understanding of the interaction between the cooler compressor and the refrigerant. The refrigerant or cooling element of your car's air conditioner, also known as intercooler gas, is a type of fluid that turns hot air into cold air. On the other hand, in order for the refrigerant to do its job properly, it must first be sufficiently compressed, and as you can guess, the task of compressing this gas is the responsibility of your car's cooler compressor. The compressor is attached to the engine block and driven by a pulley and a V-belt. When the car's air conditioner is turned on, the belt drive is driven by a magnetic clutch. The compressors used in air conditioning systems of modern cars have a compact design and light weight. The evaporator (a type of radiator) draws and compresses it. At this stage, the hot gas and its pressure increase greatly.
- The compressed gas is transferred to the heat exchanger system. This heat exchanger includes a condenser (or another heat exchanger) in which heat is transferred from the gas to the surrounding environment.
- In the heat exchanger or the condenser, the gas is compressed and cooled and then turns into a liquid. This conversion causes a drop in temperature and gas pressure.
- The cold liquid is transferred to the air conditioning system inside the car. At this point, the liquid acts as a refrigerant in the indoor air conditioning system and cools the air.
Cooler compressors
These types of compressors use a piston design and are seen in many common cars. The main advantage of piston compressors compared to rotary compressors is their lower noise; But due to the loss of energy by the pistons, they consume more fuel. Piston compressors are a great option for most cars because they are simple and inexpensive. However, these compressors do not have high efficiency; because they cannot maintain a constant pressure level between the compressor and the receiver/dryer element.
2. Rotary compressors are one of the most common types of compressors in cars that use an electric motor to drive the pump. These compressors are more efficient than other types, they are used in small cars and big trucks, and they are more expensive. 3. Scroll compressors
Scroll compressors are used on vehicles that do not have a throttle or variable speed drive (VSD) and can only run at full speed and power. Scroll coolers use a scroll rotor to compress the refrigerant inside a coil and then transfer it into the car's cabin. This method can help in optimal energy consumption because less heat is produced by the internal combustion engine (ICE).
4. Electric compressors Electric compressors are getting better and more efficient day by day. These types of compressors use electricity instead of a gasoline or diesel engine to compress gas. These compressors are usually used in electric cars or hybrid cars.
Symptoms of compressor failure
The first sign of a car air conditioner compressor failure is that the internal air conditioning system does not produce cold air. As a result, the temperature inside the car rises and the air conditioner does not work.
2. Abnormal noise
In some cases, a broken compressor may make unusual noises such as hissing or clanging metal parts or other strange noises. These sounds may be caused by friction inside the compressor.
3. Car vibration
A damaged compressor may cause the car to vibrate. These vibrations are usually caused by misalignment or incorrect operation of the pistons in the compressor.
4. Oil leakage If the compressor has an oil leak, the oil may enter the internal ventilation system or the external environment. In such a situation, repair or replacement of the compressor is probably necessary.
5. Reduced performance
A broken compressor may reduce the performance of the cooler, so that the cold air produced is less than expected or the temperature of the interior of the car rises noticeably.