DENSO outlines importance of the compressor
Although there are many elements within an AC system, DENSO Aftermarket believes its entire efficiency relies on the compressor working properly and circulating the correctly proportioned mixture of oil and refrigerant around its sealed circuit and through the rest of its associated components. Here’s Fatiha Laauich, its pan EU strategic marketing manager, to explain more.
To keep the AC system working efficiently, not only does the owner need to use it regularly, but it also needs to be serviced, by a competent technician, in accordance with the VM’s schedule. Over time, however, even the best maintained systems can suffer from some sort of failure, which will require the replacement of one, or several, of its components.
Although this message is primarily aimed at owners and technicians, it is also important that if you’re supplying replacement AC parts, we believe providing OE solutions, like those manufactured by VM supply partner and AC specialist, DENSO, gives you a major advantage.
As indicated, the AC compressor is central and so will often be the part that is subject to the greatest pressure if there is a problem within the system. So, on receiving a request for a replacement, what best practice principles should you recommend to workshop customers?
Compressor replacement
Without telling workshops what to do, it’s good to point them in the direction of our helpful video – www.rdr.link/FAP015 – which highlights the required procedure.
Key points include highlighting the need to check if it can be rotated by hand before removing it, because if it’s found to be locked, it usually indicates a lack of lubrication, which will result in metal debris in the AC system. This means it will need to be correctly flushed before fitting the new compressor.
In addition, the compressor will need to be drained of oil, so they should check its colour and the amount collected, as that will help them with the replacement procedure.
Balancing the oil
As with the compressor fitting procedure, we have also produced a helpful video – www.rdr.link/FAP016 – which highlights the required balancing procedure.
Without oil in the AC system, the compressor will seize. Just as modern engines require oils with specific formulations, AC systems must also have the correct specification of compressor oil to make sure the compressor will operate under all circumstances.
Developing AC technology
As the nature of the new car market is changing, with traditional combustion engine powered models taking a back seat and hybrid and BEVs coming to the fore, AC systems are developing in response.
BEVs bring new challenges, but also opportunities for servicing and maintenance of the whole thermal management system. However, many workshops misunderstand the importance of proper refrigerant management in BEVs, as their systems are often more complex due to the additional requirements for cooling or heating of the battery pack. Errors in refrigerant handling, such as incorrect recovery and charging, can cause issues not only with the AC system but also with the battery cooling, which can result in vehicle breakdown.
Servicing the whole thermal management system in a BEV primarily involves regularly checking and maintaining the refrigerant level and a visual inspection of the related components to ensure optimal cooling performance, which reduces the risk of these breakdowns.
How you can help!
In addition to highlighting our best practice principles, you can steer your customers to the practical online training modules we provide through our training portal.
Alongside other product groups, we offer comprehensive training programmes for technicians in thermal management and AC repair and service, which include many ‘how to’ videos covering various subjects from oil balancing tips to AC repair.
This allows technicians to increase their knowledge and build expertise for free, plus it also provides them with the opportunity to participate in the annual League of True Mechanics (LOTM) competition, for a chance to win a selection of prizes. We also regularly post useful technical bulletins and materials on our website.
