Hi all,
Firstly I have search our forum and on the internet, and get mixed results. Maybe some professional Ozbargainer can help me (and others) out once and for all.
Secondly, I haven't had the chance to own new cars so not sure how the A/C compressor is suppose to work.
Here comes the fun part:
I have recently purchased a used car, echo of 2005, and I notice every time I turn the A/C on, the Compressor kicks in and out a lot. It runs more and rest very little. This is what I observe at red lights, not sure how it runs when the car is in motion. Looking at the sight glass when the A/C is on, I can see the freon 'gargling' through the hole (some might refer to it as bubble?)
Some says that it needs re-gas but I find the A/C works satisfactorily, bringing the car back in the cool level on hot days. My question is, if I leave it like this for another year, is the compressor bearings (or any other things inside it) get damaged and potentially fail?
I am a preventative DIY person so I just want to get it right instead of buying a new A/C compressor later.
Thank you for any inputs!
Normally compressor will stay on most of the time without switching on and off often unless:
Outside temperature is too low ( from memory <-5) or
Freon pressure is too low or high ( it is a sign or problems) or
Freon temperature is out of limits ( may happen in hot weather) or
Compressor electronic switch is faulty or
Compressor draw too much power from the engine during idling and RPM go below minimum
The above applies to older cars like yours. Some modern cars will turn aircon off to save fuel or give more power to engine if required.
Suggest you to buy cheap error code scanner from ebay (elm 327 odb2) and check whats happening.