If Volvo is your car of choice, you already know that they come with an exceptional design and are a very reliable brand. While your Volvo is known for its performance, it’s also known for frequent failing HVAC Compressors. There’s nothing more frustrating than losing your AC in the heat of summer or feeling a scorching blast of hot air in your face. Sometimes, the air doesn’t even run at all.

An HVAC compressor is undoubtedly one of the most crucial parts of your Volvo’s air conditioning system, and it’s one of the most frustrating parts to diagnose because it isn’t always the reason your air conditioning system is malfunctioning. To understand why the HVAC compressor is so essential, you must understand what it does for your Volvo.

In short, a compressor pressurizes the refrigerant moving through the system. Placing high pressure on the refrigerant causes it to cool down, thereby giving you and your passengers a comfortable ride for as long as it’s functioning as designed.

Signs of A Failing HVAC Compressor

There’s no exact timeframe for when your HVAC compressor could fail in your Volvo, but there are many signs that may uncover this severe issue. You should know that it’s still safe to drive your vehicle with a failed compressor as it doesn’t control anything other than the AC system, but it likely won’t be very comfortable. It is possible that compressor malfunction can point to other problems, so it’s best to have it inspected as soon as you can.

Like many parts in your Volvo, the HVAC compressor uses bearings to turn. If your bearings are wearing down in the compressor, then you’ll likely hear loud grinding or shrieking sounds. At this point, it probably won’t move air through the system at all.

Another indication is when your HVAC compressor is blowing both cold and warm air intermittently. Your compressor is struggling to move the cooled refrigerant through the system, affecting the quality of the AC. You might also have another issue with a related part of the air conditioning system that requires inspection.

It helps to watch for other details like your engine RPMs, for example. When you start your car after the initial engine idle passes, you’ll notice your RPMs dip slightly; this is when your HVAC compressor has engaged. If you do not see this, then it could mean your compressor is failing.

As mentioned, there’s no guaranteed timeframe for a failed HVAC compressor, but using your car’s mileage as a guideline could help you save yourself the surprise. If your Volvo has 60,000 miles or more on it, then you may start having issues with your HVAC compressor. Don’t fret just yet because there are ways to prolong the life of your compressor.

Ways to Prolong Your HVAC Compressor’s Life

You should run your HVAC compressor for about 10 minutes every month. It doesn’t matter if it’s winter or summer; doing this can keep your HVAC compressor from stagnating. Doing this shouldn’t be too hard because most modern Volvos use the compressor to run both defrost and the AC. By doing this, it’s possible to prolong your HVAC compressor for up to 12 years.

Give Us A Call

When prolonging your compressor’s life doesn’t work, you need to take your vehicle to a shop and get it inspected. There aren’t many places you can live without AC in the middle of summer, and that doubles for a state like Texas.

It isn’t always your HVAC compressor that’s the culprit. Sometimes your compressor is a symptom of several issues in your air conditioning system, which is why it’s best to take your Volvo to a mechanic you can trust to determine the root cause of your problems and fix them promptly.

Rowlett Motorwerks

There’s no better shop for the Garland, Rockwall, Wylie, Rowlett, Sachse areas than Rowlett Motorwerks. Our technicians have been working on Volvos for decades, and we promise that we can keep your air conditioning system operating at peak performance. We pride ourselves in offering affordable service packages to perform the necessary annual maintenance your air conditioning system needs.

Using the latest factory-specific tools and applying 70 years of knowledge, we assist our customers in maintaining every part of your air conditioning system. While working with Volvos, we have perfected several services throughout the years that can help to keep your system running efficiently.

We stand by our service and guarantee our work for 3 years or 36,000 miles. By scheduling an appointment with us, you can rest easy knowing that our expert technicians have got you covered. So call us or visit our shop today!