Factory AC Zexel Compressor: Question re Lifespan

Post by **cn90** » 29 Jul 2016, 17:39

For my 1998 BMW 528i with 160K: the Denso AC Compressor is making noise, so I am replacing the Denso compressor this weekend.
This leads to my next question...

The 1998 Volvo S70 GLT with 180K miles: the AC pulley has been free-wheeling for a while, I have not had time to replace the pulley bearing.
But: the question is...what is the lifespan of the Factory Zexel compressor?
If it is around 180K-200K, then I will hold off until the compressor makes noise.

Post by **tryingbe** » 29 Jul 2016, 18:26

I have 389k on my factory compressor.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jul 2016, 18:40

I would definitely not replace it proactively - wait until an issue comes up.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Jul 2016, 19:28

I have never had a problem with one, check out the mileages on the vehicles in my signature. Like many (not all!) of the factory parts, the ones that go bad are the anomaly. No reason to replace it if it is not acting up.

Post by **E Showell** » 29 Jul 2016, 19:49

My 1998 V70 factory compressor finally went at 312K miles. You might squeeze a bit more life out of yours yet. Correspondingly, my wife's 1999 V70 compressor is making strange bearing sounds at 202K miles. So I'd say, it depends. . . .

Post by **oragex** » 29 Jul 2016, 19:50

On the BMW are you sure it's the compressor who makes the noise? Mine was making noise and got louder when the clutch was engaging. New pulley bearing got it silent.

Post by **cn90** » 29 Jul 2016, 20:28

Oragex,

On the BMW...YES. Turn the AC ON, it is noisy (like marbles in a can). Turn off AC: no noise.
So I am 100% sure it is the compressor.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jul 2016, 04:08

The marbles in a can is the internal compressor death song, unless you have marbles in a can, in your trunk.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 30 Jul 2016, 14:01

I have only had one problem with the Zexel and that was with the bearing on the clutch pulley. They are fairly bulletproof as far as compressors go but like anything they can fail.

...Lee