Is your car’s non-functioning AC making every ride a hot and stuffy ordeal?
Chances are your vehicle’s AC compressor has called it quits and needs to be replaced to restore your cooling system.
Wondering how much will the new AC compressor cost?
We’ll break down the car AC compressor replacement cost and early signs of compressor failure so you can act quickly. We’ll also share practical tips to keep your compressor in top shape and extend its lifespan.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Car AC Compressor Replacement Cost?
- Repair or Replace: What’s Best for Your Car’s AC Compressor?
- Is It Worth Replacing the Car AC Compressor?
- 7 Signs You Need an AC Compressor Replacement
- How Long Do AC Compressors Last?
- How to Prolong the Life of Your Car’s AC Compressor?
- Can You Replace the AC Compressor Yourself?
- 3 FAQs on Car AC Compressors
How Much Does a Car AC Compressor Replacement Cost?
Here’s the average cost of replacing a faulty compressor:
A. Range
A car owner will have to spend roughly $810 to $1,210 to install a new air conditioning compressor.
The total cost covers:
- New AC compressor cost: $650 to $1,000
- Labor cost: $160 to $210 (fixing compressor failure takes a significant time, anywhere between 3 to 6 hours)
B. Factors Affecting Overall Cost
Local labor charges, as well as your car’s make and model, can influence the compressor installation and replacement cost.
Other factors determining your final bill include:
- Car size and design: Since vehicles differ in size, some cars would require a bigger AC compressor compared to other smaller cars. The bigger the replacement compressor, the higher the AC compressor price.
- Brand: Purchasing replacement parts for air conditioning repair from a popular brand instead of any local make will increase your average cost.
- AC system’s age: Finding the right replacement auto parts for older vehicles may be challenging, which can drive up the car AC compressor cost. You may have to order the parts from specific shops or websites, increasing your total expense.
- AC compressor location: If the compressor is difficult to access within the car’s AC system due to a complex design, labor costs will increase.
- Refrigerant addition: Adding refrigerant to your car’s air conditioning unit will cost an additional $150 to $300, increasing your car AC repair bill. Moreover, vehicles with older AC system designs may only work with specific old refrigerants, which can cost more to source.
- Additional repairs: If the radiator or other AC components are also damaged, your mechanic will include their replacement cost in the final bill. For example, a new radiator can add around $600 to $1200 to the total bill.
NOTE: Your manufacturer’s warranty may cover replacing several AC components, including the compressor. So, before you opt for a replacement, check what your warranty includes.
Repair or Replace: What’s Best for Your Car’s AC Compressor?
While a broken AC compressor can be repaired, replacement is often the better option.
Why?
Compressors are complex components with many moving parts, and their failures usually involve extensive internal damage. So, a car AC compressor repair would require a complete teardown and rebuild of the old compressor, which isn’t practical or cost-effective. Plus, there’s no guarantee that the AC compressor issues won’t return.
Getting a complete replacement is more economical for a car owner in the long term.
That said, there are a couple of factors to consider while deciding whether to repair or replace the broken AC compressor. These include:
- Extent of damage: Minor AC compressor issues like electrical faults can often be repaired. However, extensive damage or complete AC compressor failure will require a full replacement for better performance.
- Car’s age: For new cars, replacing the compressor ensures long-term reliability as the car still has many years of use ahead. For older vehicles nearing the end of their lifespan, compare the car’s value with the cost of a new compressor. If the replacement cost outweighs the car’s worth, opting for a refurbished compressor can be a more cost-effective alternative than car AC compressor repair.
- Environmental impact: Frequently repairing an aging compressor often requires additional resources (materials, refrigerant, labor, etc.), leading to a higher environmental footprint. Replacing it with a more energy-efficient compressor can be a more sustainable option.
Is It Worth Replacing the Car AC Compressor?
Yes, absolutely.
The air conditioning compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, enabling the condenser and evaporator to cool your cabin. If it fails, AC vents will blow warm air, increasing cabin humidity and mold growth.
A failing compressor can also damage the serpentine belt, causing it to slip. This will disable other components run by the belt, like the power steering pump, alternator, and water pump. Consequently, it can lead to issues like a weak battery, engine overheating, and power steering pump failure.
To prevent further damage, have an AC technician replace the faulty compressor promptly.
7 Signs You Need an AC Compressor Replacement
Watch out for these symptoms of a bad air conditioning compressor:
- Musty smell in the cabin due to mold growth
- Warm air blowing from the vents
- Strange noises from the engine block when the AC is on
- Refrigerant leak
- AC compressor clutch failing to engage
- A damaged serpentine belt
- Contaminants in the AC unit
How Long Do AC Compressors Last?
Compressors can last about 150,000 to 200,000 miles or 10 to 20 years.
However, some factors can damage compressors in the AC unit faster, such as:
- Dirt and debris around the compressor
- Use of incorrect refrigerant
- Hard braking, excess idling, and other bad driving habits
- Unnecessary use of vehicle’s air conditioners on full blast
- Using the car’s air conditioner in extreme temperatures
How to Prolong the Life of Your Car’s AC Compressor?
These tips can help keep your compressor running smoothly, preventing the need for AC repair:
- Monitor refrigerant levels in the AC system to ensure there’s no leak
- Keep the air filter clean for proper airflow
- Turn on the air conditioning system once in a while for lubrication of the parts
- Get AC recharge (refill with Freon refrigerant) once a year
- Regularly check the fuse, coil, and sensors of the AC compressor clutch
- Ensure the belt tension is tight enough to drive the compressor
Can You Replace the AC Compressor Yourself?
It’s best to avoid DIY and leave compressor replacement to a trained professional if you lack car AC repair experience.
Here’s how your car repair mechanic or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning technician (HVAC technician) will replace the air conditioner compressor:
- Disconnect the car battery to avoid electrical mishaps.
- Locate the air conditioning compressor and remove the serpentine belt from the compressor’s pulley. They may need to loosen other belts to access it.
- Carefully unplug the electrical connector on the bad AC compressor.
- Disconnect refrigerant lines from the faulty AC compressor. Your HVAC mechanic will cap these lines to prevent contaminants from entering the AC system.
- Unfasten the bolts that hold the compressor and carefully lift it out of the vehicle.
- Place the replacement part (new compressor), reattach the bolts, and connect the refrigerant lines. Then they’ll plug in the electrical connector and reattach the serpentine belt. They’ll use new seals at every connection to avoid leaks.
- Finally, they’ll run a quick test to confirm your vehicle’s AC compressor and the entire AC unit is functional. They’ll ensure there’s no other AC problem or unusual noises.
3 FAQs on Car AC Compressors
Here are the answers to some common queries to clarify your doubts about AC compressors:
1. What Is a Car AC Compressor and How Does It Work?
The AC compressor is a pump that pressurizes and circulates refrigerant gas to cool your car’s interior. Powered by a drive belt and pulley system, it engages via an electromagnetic clutch when the air conditioner is turned on.
It compresses the refrigerant into a high-pressure gas and sends it to the condenser, which cools and changes the refrigerant gas to liquid. This liquid refrigerant moves to the evaporator coil, absorbing cabin heat and releasing cold air into your car’s interior.
2. What Are the Different Types of Car AC Compressors?
Some common variants of compressors include:
- Scroll or rotary compressor: This AC compressor type uses interwoven spiral scrolls to compress the refrigerant and is widely used in small cars.
- Rotary vane compressor: It pressurizes the refrigerant using a rotor with movable vanes (blade-like parts) and is ideal for small to medium-sized cars.
- Reciprocating compressor: This type of compressor pressurizes the refrigerant using pistons and is usually used in older heavy-duty vehicles.
3. How to Save Money on AC Compressor Replacement?
Follow these tips to significantly reduce your car’s AC compressor replacement cost:
- Opt for aftermarket auto parts.
- Get estimates from multiple auto repair shops and dealerships for the cheapest replacement or repair cost.
- Perform regular maintenance by monitoring refrigerant levels, cleaning the air filter, and ensuring the air conditioning system is properly charged.
- Avoid running the air conditioner at full blast.
- Park in shaded areas to minimize the workload on your AC unit.
Restore Your Car’s Cooling with AutoNation Mobile Service
The car air conditioner can’t keep your cabin cool without a functioning compressor. Once the air conditioning system fails, it can lead to unwanted mold growth, so don’t wait too long to replace it.
And if you don’t want to drive to the garage in a stuffy car, let AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics come to you. Our AC technician can replace your bad AC compressor right from your driveway.
We offer mobile auto repair services and convenient online bookings. All services from from water pump replacement and brake repair to complete air conditioner repair come with a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty.
Contact us to get a quote.