What is the AC Compressor all about? An AC system has many components: compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, evaporator, and hoses. The compressor, the “heart” of the car’s air conditioning system works like a pump taking refrigerant, ( R-12 Freon in older cars, R-134a in 1995 and newer cars) and pressurizing it, passing it along to the evaporator. The AC compressor has several moving parts (including pistons and valves). These internal parts can fail, causing the AC compressor to stop working. It is common for the internal parts of the compressor to come apart and disperse metallic debris throughout the system. Consequently, it is a requirement to replace the orifice tube and the receiver dryer when replacing the compressor since some of the debris may have ended up there. For an AC compressor to work, it needs a clutch, bearing, and an electrical connector. The clutch is driven by a drive/serpentine belt, which engages the compressor when you switch on the AC. The clutch can burn or the bearing can fail.

If the bearing or clutch have failed, it is recommended that the compressor be replaced. Sometimes replacing the entire compressor with a remanufactured one can be cheaper than replacing an individual clutch or bearings. It is also common for the seals in the AC compressor to go bad. The compressor may start leaking refrigerant and/or the AC oil. If the seals no longer hold, you will need a new compressor, as the seals cannot be replaced. A compressor may also fail if there is sludge or debris in the air conditioning system. If there is sludge or debris, the hoses, evaporator, and condenser should be flushed to get rid of the contaminants. When it is not possible to flush the parts, you may need to replace those parts. This service comes with receiver dryer and orifice tube. It is very common for metals from the compressors to go throughout the system and get caught in different components. If the compressor is replaced without the dryer and the orifice tube, it will ruin the new compressor and it will not be covered by the warranty from parts manufacturers.

Check for pressure in the AC system. Check for power and ground at the compressor. If compressor is found to be faulty, remove all of the refrigerant. Remove the compressor, receiver drier, orifice tube, and/or expansion valve.ac window unit with remote Flush all foreign materials from the AC System.ac unit for apartments Install new compressor, receiver drier, and orifice tube.carrier ac parts mn Evacuate and recharge the AC system. The most common reason for an AC compressor to fail is leaky seals and inadequate lubrication. It is good practice to turn the AC on periodically so that the seals don’t dry up and stay lubricated. If you notice a change in the temperature of the air through the AC vents (not as cold as it should be), get it inspected.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the AC Compressor? No cold air from the vents. Clicking sound from under the engine.In these cases, when the AC system fails, you will not only NOT get any cold air, but the entire temperature regulation is thrown off. Quarterback Sneak Save Up To 25% Off MSRP! International Customers, please review our international shipping policies for placing orders and to know more about Shipping, Payment, and Warranties. parts pros can help. Click to learn more Learn About AC Compressor Repair Costs AC compressor failure is a common cause of whole-system air conditioning malfunction. The air conditioning compressor is a crucial component of your AC system, and the cost for replacement will impact your wallet. Buy Auto Parts will save you money by limiting AC compressor replacement cost, regardless of your auto’s year, make and model. The labor cost alone for an AC compressor can range from $300 to $500, depending on what car you have.  

We always recommend purchasing a new AC compressor, instead of remanufactured or used. It will save you money in the long run. AC Compressor costs will change from car to car among many other variables. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Number Independent Shops Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($100/HR) Dealerships Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($130/HR) A new AC compressor may cost a little more, anywhere from $200 to $600, but it’s better to spend a little more now than a lot more later. You can achieve a cheaper AC compressor repair by buying your AC compressor direct and having it installed by an independent mechanic. A remanufactured AC compressor or one you get from the junkyard has a much higher possibility of failure which can contaminate the whole system. This could lead you to having to replace all the parts in your AC system. Depending on your car, labor prices can vary greatly. If you have a small vehicle where everything is hard to get to, AC compressor repair cost could go up.

If you have a large SUV with plenty of room to work and doesn’t require taking off multiple parts, AC replacement costs can be less expensive. We have come up with some average labor times for different sized vehicles to give you a better idea of an AC compressor repair cost for you. See our article on A/C Compressor Replacement to get an idea what it will take to complete the job yourself. Our table below will help you negotiate a reasonable AC compressor installation cost. Prices will vary depending on who your mechanic is and what prices they charge per hour. If you go to a dealership instead of a mechanic, prices will almost always be higher. If you need to go to a specialist, prices might be higher than a regular independent mechanic. Our table will give you an idea of how long it should take a mechanic to complete the AC Compressor repair and will give you an idea, based on your mechanic’s rate, how much it should cost. 2007 Honda Fit ~ 3 Labor hrs 2007 Nissan Versa ~ 2.4 Labor hrs

2007 Chevrolet Malibu ~ 2.4 labor hrs 2007 BMW 328i ~ 2.7 labor hrs 2007 Buick LaCrosse ~ 0.6 labor hrs 2007 Lexus ES350 ~ 4.3-5.3 labor hrs 2007 Audi A6 ~ 3.3 labor hrs 2007 Volvo XC70 ~ 4.4 labor hrs 2007 Mazda 6 ~ 2.5 labor hrs 2007 BMW M3 ~ 2.5 labor hrs 2007 Lexus IS350 ~ 3.0 labor hrs 2007 Chevrolet Corvette ~ 7.5 labor hrs 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor ~ 3.4 labor hrs 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 3 ~ labor hrs 2007 BMW X3 4 ~ labor hrs 2007 Toyota Tundra 4.1 ~ labor hrs 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2.9 ~ labor hrs 2007 Ford F-150 (non turbo) 3.4 ~ labor hrs Included 1.4 hrs for recovery, evacuation and recharge of the system Range = 2.5 labor hrs to 7.5 labor hrs Simply because there are so many variables. As mentioned above there amount of time changes your AC compressor repair cost. The time it takes to depends on where the part is located, how easily or difficult it is to get to the part, and the rate your mechanic charges.

AC replacement costs are directly correlated to the time it takes to complete the repair. Our hope is that with this knowledge, you’ll know what to expect when you go to your mechanic. People can often feel clueless when it comes to work on their cars, and it’s hard to know if your mechanic is charging too much. One of the best ways to combat this is to get some general knowledge about what the repair will take, and more importantly, shop around. Get quotes from different mechanics. Look for trusted mechanics and give them a call to get an estimate. Sometimes prices will vary by hundreds of dollars. AC compressor replacement cost is subject to your mechanic’s labor rate, part cost and other factors. We encourage you to get under the hood and do a spot check of where your AC compressor is. Bring a flashlight just in case. The picture above will give you an idea of what to look for. If your AC compressor is on top and doesn’t need additional parts taken off, you are lucky!

If it’s way deep down in the engine bay, you know that it’s going to take a little more work in comparison. If this is the case, AC compressor replacement cost can increase significantly. To get a more accurate estimate of the full cost of replacing an AC compressor, you should take your car into a certified mechanic. Get an estimate from them of the cost of the parts and the labor. Ask your mechanic what parts they will be installing. Then thank them for the estimate and research online. Buy the parts for the same price your mechanic gets them for. Cut out the middleman and avoid the mark-up. Take the parts to your mechanic and have them install it. This method translates into low air conditioning compressor replacement cost. That’s why customers prefer BuyAutoParts. BAP guarantees exact fit and warranties all parts. To find the correct AC compressor that is guaranteed to fit your car at an unbeatable price, use the Year, Make, and Model search at the top of this page.