RX 400h aircon compressor seized up?

[Eric71]

Possibly aircon compressor seized up, they told me at Lexus today. Possible cost £1600. Can it be done somewhere else?

[sorcerer]

I would imagine that the work can be done at either a general garage or at an aircon specialist but the problem, and perhaps the biggest chunk of the cost, will be in the replacement compressor - if one is needed, as they don't sound too sure?

First job is to confirm that it needs a replacement and then I think I'd be looking at eBay breakers for one if needed.

[Eric71]

Great thanks for reply. I'll give it a check at an aircon specialist. Can aircon be working when a compressor has gone? I don't get it, cos at the moment aircon is 100% fine...

[sorcerer]

7 minutes ago, Eric71 said:

Great thanks for reply. I'll give it a check at an aircon specialist. Can aircon be working when a compressor has gone? I don't get it, cos at the moment aircon is 100% fine...

Is it really cold - because it certainly can't be faulty and 100% fine at the same time  

You should be able to get it down to less than 10C if I remember correctly. What symptoms are you seeing?

[Eric71]

It is really cold, when I want it. The thing is: I've just had my aircon serviced today at Lexus. They also told me that aircon compressor might be gone(!?). So I need to use aircon for another couple of weeks and come back to them to check it again. But at the moment there are no problems at all. It al seems strange, and I'm confused.

[sorcerer]

Not sure what's going on there my friend - as long as it's cold then it's working.

I never switch my aircon off. It's on all year round and I've never needed to have an aircon system serviced in more than 40 years of driving. I think I'd be inclined to just keep it on and forget about it unless and until you feel a difference, and if that ever happens I'd take it to an aircon specialist (and I don't mean Kwik-Fit) for their opinion.

[Eric71]

Thanks, I'll keep on using aircon as normal ,and simply wait till any problems occur(hope not). Anyway, my RX 400h is nearly an ideal car compared to my previous one - BMW X5 diesel( more then £2500 on repairs). Again great  thanks. Good to have forum like this one!

[Gliderpilot]

As sorcerer says, I never switch mine off also, apparently it keeps the seals lubricated when running and they can dry out if not run for some time.

[Britprius]

The hybrid AC electrically driven compressor is somewhat different to a normal engine driven compressor. As such it is very unusual for the compressor to leak as there is no rotating shaft seal as there is with an engine driven compressor. The electric motor is sealed within a housing with the compressor in much the same way as a domestic fridge or freezer.
The single most common reason for failure of the compressors in hybrids is the wrong oil being used. The electric motor is cooled, and luricated by running in the gas oil mixture of the system.
The oil must be ND11 for hybrid compressors, and not PAG oil that is generally used in engine driven systems. Even a small amount of PAG oil such as might be transferred by using a refill set that has been used with PAG oil, and then used with the correct ND11 oil to work on a hybrid can, and is likely to lead to compressor motor failure.
This is because PAG oil is partially electrically conductive. This leads to the motor winding's becoming short circuited. This not necessarily immediately it can take as long a three or more months for problems to appear making it difficult to prove if it occurs some time after AC service work has been carried out.

John.  

[harrylime]

I see you are based in Sheffield. If you want an aircon specialist I strongly recommend Maltby Electrical Services (they are in Rotherham, not Maltby). They sorted out my LS 400 and really know what they are doing. If you want a Lexus specialist to keep labour costs down, I strongly recommend Lex Tek Autos of Sheffield, very knowledgeable chap, ex Lexus technician