Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Air conditioning: Compressor
The task of the compressor is to:
- draw gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator
- compress the gas thereby increasing its pressure and temperature
- expel the gas with high pressure and high temperature to the condenser.
The compressor takes in cold refrigerant gas from the evaporator on the intake side through the low pressure connection. In ideal conditions, the compressor compresses the refrigerant from approximately 200 kPa (2 bar) to between 1.2 MPa and 2.1 MPa (12 and 21 bar). During the process, the refrigerant heats up from 0 °C to between 70 °C and 110 °C. These pressure and temperature values apply when the system is operating under optimal conditions.
Th relief valve, located on the rear section of the compressor, functions as an additional safety device. The valve opens and releases refrigerant when the pressure in the system is too high. The valve then shuts again when the pressure has returned to normal. The temperature of refrigerant gas can reach as high as 125 °C.
The compressor can only compress gases, as liquid would damage the compressor.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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