GS450h air con problem

subman · June 17, 2019

Hi all,

I have been to Lexus twice now and the latest news is that the air con compressor is faulty. The cost of repair will be £3142 as the compressor cost new £2800, I am trying to get them to fix it with second hand part but so far no news about that. My usual local garage would not take on the work due to unfamiliar with Hybrid system and the special lubricant required to charge the system.

Is it difficult to change the compressor? can normal garage do that?

Many thanks

Herbie · June 17, 2019

A normal compressor is belt-driven from the engine but the compressor in a hybrid is electrically operated because the engine doesn't run all the time.

A 'normal' garage would probably be able to do the 'nuts and bolts' work of removal and reinstallation of the compressor but the parts required will probably be the major cost. Then I think it would need to go to a proper aircon specialist to get it regassed, due to the fact that the compressor motor windings are immersed in and actually cooled by the non-conductive oil that circulates around the system with the gas.

If you can get a secondhand compressor from eBay or a breakers yard, I'm sure that there's no special need to have Lexus do the work so you'll save a bit on their labour costs, but as you've found out, many local garages are put off by the word 'hybrid' and the high voltages associated with it. The compressor is driven by the inverter/converter and is indeed fed with three phase high voltage but as long as the safety plug is pulled in the cabin and appropriate precautions taken, it should be fine.