Hello! I've got an old Mazda 3 (2007, ~170k km). The AC compressor died and since I'm not sure how long this car will last I bought a cheapy aftermarket one from eBay (new though, and from a dealer with near 100% positive feedback). Had my Mazda dealership install it since I don't have the equipment to do that. It runs fine, blows cold, but it's noisy. I noticed in little print on the auction website that it says to NOT fill refrigerant to 100% capacity, only to 80%, and if you fill to 100% it will cause noise. Is this something weird about this particular compressor, or is that a common thing when replacing any compressor?
The compressor itself looks identical to the old OEM one at least on the outside.
Thanks!
That sounds a little odd. Never heard of anything like that, but I'm not a professional AC tech. The aftermarket compressor may be different internally, maybe smaller displacement. The site said to fill only to 80% but did the compressor itself come with instructions? What brand is it?
Hey, thanks for the reply. Yeah that's what I was thinking. I think it's basically a no-name compressor made in China, sold for dirt cheap on eBay (I paid $150 USD for it). It claims to be Panasonic "type", for whatever that's worth. it does look identical to the OEM on the outside but maybe something on the inside is pretty different to make it cheaper.
On this moment, your system is filled to 100%, because the mechanic 'knows better'?
I would fill to 80% as instructions say, and see if the noise (complaint) goes...
