Can You Drive a Car with a Broken AC Compressor?
It can be inconvenient to take your car in for repairs, even if necessary. If your car has a broken A/C compressor, you may be wondering how crucial it is to get it fixed. So, can you drive a car with a broken A/C compressor, or is it dangerous?
It’s not a good idea to drive with a broken A/C compressor. While you can sometimes drive your vehicle with a broken A/C compressor without needing expensive repairs, it’s not wise. When these integral parts of your car’s air conditioning system break, that can cause greater damage to your engine and even your health. Because of that, it’s important to be able to spot signs of a broken A/C compressor so that you can get the necessary repairs quickly.
For decades, AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning has been helping our neighbors by replacing faulty A/C compressors. To schedule an appointment with the car Miami A/C compressor mechanics at AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning, call today at (305) 909-6127.
Does Driving with a Broken AC Compressor Hurt Your Engine?
Driving with a broken A/C compressor isn’t ideal and can become unsafe if ignored. Every mechanism within your car is essential to your vehicle’s overall efficacy and safety. A broken A/C compressor is certainly an issue and can cause problems to your car as a whole.
Driving with a broken A/C compressor can harm your car’s engine. Remember, each part of your car is connected. Crucial aspects of your car’s A/C compressor, like the pulleys and belts, are powered by the engine. When they break or slacken because of a faulty A/C compressor, your engine will work overtime in an attempt to power them.
This can cause your engine to wear out more quickly. The longer you drive with a broken A/C compressor, the more damage you can do to your car’s engine and your entire air conditioning unit. It is more affordable and safer to take your vehicle to ASE-certified car A/C compressor mechanics instead of continuing to drive it around.
At the end of the day, it’s never a good idea to drive with a broken compressor. Doing so can result in expensive repairs that are otherwise avoidable. Instead of replacing your entire A/C unit because of a broken compressor, it’s best to get your compressor replaced as soon as you notice issues.
Will it Harm Your Health to Drive with a Broken AC Compressor?
While you might have expected that driving with a broken car A/C compressor can impact your engine, did you know it can harm your health? Lack of airflow can lead to mold growing in your vents, which can be unsafe.
One of the main issues of driving with a broken A/C compressor is an ineffective air conditioning unit. While a faulty A/C system doesn’t appear dangerous at first, it can have a negative effect on your health.
The A/C compressor is the heart of any car’s air conditioning unit. Without a working compressor, the air conditioning unit won’t operate properly. This can lead to a lack of air circulation in your car’s cabin, which can cause dirt or mildew buildup in the vents, causing mold growth.
Clearly, it’s never ideal to drive a car with mold in the air conditioning unit. Such a problem can often be traced back to a broken A/C compressor. Getting a broken A/C compressor fixed is crucial so that you don’t cause damage to your car or your health.
Signs You’re Driving with a Broken AC Compressor
While driving with a broken A/C compressor is not wise, how will you know when yours is broken? Drivers need to learn how to spot a broken A/C compressor to address any issues before they worsen. If you notice strange smells, loud noises, or hot air, you might be driving with a broken A/C compressor.
Strange Smells
If you’re driving with a broken A/C compressor, you may notice strange smells in your car’s cabin. Remember, an inefficient A/C compressor can’t properly pump liquid refrigerant into your air conditioning system, causing dust and mildew to build up. If you think your A/C compressor is broken, start sniffing. If you can smell mold or, in some cases, a burning odor, your A/C compressor might be the culprit.
Burning smells may mean that the belts of your A/C compressor are wearing thin. If that’s the case, it’s important to take your vehicle to a Hialeah car A/C compressor mechanic right away. When belts snap, it can cause more serious damage to your car.
Loud Sounds
If you hear strange, grinding sounds when you turn on your air conditioning, your car’s A/C compressor might be failing. These loud sounds often indicate an issue with the parts that make up your compressor. There could be a problem with the tracks or belts. It’s possible that an integral part has been jostled loose and needs to be tightened.
You shouldn’t ignore these sounds. If you do, the problems with your car’s A/C compressor could worsen. If you’re unsure whether the strange sounds are coming from the compressor, try turning your air conditioning on and off. Regardless of where the sounds are coming from, take your car to a mechanic for an inspection.
Hot Air
Airflow and temperature are often leading indications of whether or not you’re driving with a broken A/C compressor. The compressor’s main job is cooling refrigerant and then pumping it through the air conditioning system. If the air coming out of your vents is hot, there’s likely an issue with your compressor. While your compressor may not be broken yet, it will likely lapse soon.
Similarly, if there is weak or low airflow coming from the vents, you may be driving with a broken A/C compressor. Again, weak airflow can lead to a buildup of mold or mildew, impacting your health. If your A/C stops working altogether, your vehicle needs a trip to a car A/C compressor mechanic right away. Our professionals can perform a quick compressor replacement before issues spread to other areas of your vehicle.
Call Our Mechanics if You Have a Broken A/C Compressor
Driving a car with a broken A/C compressor isn’t safe and can cause expensive damage to your vehicle. To schedule an appointment with the car A/C compressor mechanics at AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning, call today at (305) 909-6127.
