One of the most important parts of your AC unit is the compressor. When it’s not working, the entire heating and cooling system won’t work anymore. This is the component in your system that gets a lot of wear and tear, and over time a lot of issues can develop when you least expect it. The average AC compressor can last up to 15 years, but usually any AC compressor problems are due to underlying issues. Some of these issues include:
Oil leaks
If there is an oil leak in the system from a pump failure or there is a suction line issue, the compressor can break down.
Issues with refrigerant
Liquid refrigerant doesn’t vaporize all the way in the evaporator. The negative pressure is caused on entry to the compressor cylinder. When refrigerant is overused, or the incorrect settings occur, the AC compressor problems can arise.
Contamination
It is possible for AC compressor problems to be down to contamination in the unit. This can happen from dirt particles, acids and even moisture building up. One of the most common contamination issues is dirty condenser coils. These coils work by sucking up the air after the compressor condenses them. When one part fails, the whole system malfunctions. This leads to a domino effect of issues that makes the AC system fail.
Overheating
The compressor can overheat if there is an inadequacy in suction and if air cannot get into the system. This is one of the most common AC compressor problems.