Driving down the road on a hot summer day, you flip on the air conditioning in your vehicle only for hot air to come out instead. What is going on? For starters, your vehicle's compressor is probably failing or you have a leak somewhere in the system.

The compressor is solely responsible for delivering refrigerant to your air conditioning system and the result is cold air when you turn on the air conditioning in your vehicle.

How to Tell if the Compressor is Leaking or Failing

One of the first signs that the compressor is leaking is the air will be warm. You may have a leak in one of the liquid lines or the compressor itself may not be retaining the fluid. When there is a leak, the compressor's internal parts are unable to stay lubricated and they grind on each other, which causes wear and tear on the system. A leak can lead to compressor failure if it is allowed to persist.

Typically, if there is a leak within the compressor, you will know because it will seize up. What this means is that when you engage the clutch on your vehicle, the compressor will not start and you may hear a whining noise coming from the vehicle.

How to Fix a Failed Compressor

If your compressor is leaking or has completely seized up and failed, you will need to have the compressor replaced in your vehicle. The compressor cannot be repaired, because if it is already on its way to failing, the internal pieces of the compressor are damaged and they will not be able to produce the correct temperature the vehicle needs to function properly.

Once the compressor has been replaced in the vehicle, the AC will need to be recharged before you will receive cold air flow. Your mechanic will begin charging the AC system with Freon after the compressor is in place. Recharging the system on your own can be dangerous as you may put too much refrigerant or oil into the system causing another failure.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

The national average for a compressor replacement is anywhere between $750 and $1,050. This cost includes both the new part and the labor that goes along with installing the part. If you need to have the compressor replaced, you will need to ask the mechanic shop if the AC recharge is included in the price. Some shops charge separately for it and other will include it with the replacement.

If you notice a loud whining or grinding coming from your vehicle and the air conditioning is not cooling off, you may have a failing compressor on your hands. Contact Regional Truck Equipment for more information.