Preventing Air Conditioner Compressor Damage: Effects of Refrigerant Insufficiency

When a large amount of refrigerant is undercharged, oil can be pumped out of the compressor and become trapped in the evaporator or other air conditioning components, unable to properly return to the HVAC compressor. This can cause the oil level in the compressor to become dangerously low, generate excessive heat, and often lead to compressor failure. Some air conditioning tests show that if the air conditioning system is underinflated, the amount of oil in the compressor can be reduced by more than 57%.

Symptoms of damaged or malfunctioning air conditioning compressor

• Air conditioning performance is poor
• roar
• Howling
• grinding noise
• screams
• rattle
• impact sound
• knocking sound

What is the cause of air conditioning compressor clutch failure?

All electromagnetic clutches work on the same principle, using an electric current through a coil to create a magnetic field that creates action. Here are some reasons why your air conditioner compressor clutch may be damaged:

• Air conditioning compressor over cycling
• Contamination in the air conditioning system causes the compressor temperature to be too high
• Poor cooling system performance affects air conditioning operation
• The drive belt slips on the air conditioning compressor pulley, creating an excessive heat load
• Clutch pressure plate slipping due to compressor clutch clearance not meeting specifications
• Air conditioning compressor clutch coil circuit short to power or ground
• Air conditioning compressor clutch relay not working or short circuited

Do you need help testing or replacing your automotive A/C compressor clutch assembly?

Call us today! We have ASE certified auto air conditioning mechanics near you.