A/C Compressor question

Saddle horse · July 2, 2014

My compressor on the 2002 Chevy 1500 is leaking where the plug goes in the back of it . Is there a seal or something I can replace without having to buy a new or used compressor ? Thanks

gmtech4 · July 3, 2014

no ,and never put the words "compressor" and "used" in the same sentence...

take it to a shop that has an A/C guy/machine ,,,you have to anyways cuz its going out the relief i think ,cycling switch ?,not sure but its not normal,

white1500 · July 3, 2014

Get it fixed professionally before it gets worse. When I did mine back from in April it was almost as bad as it was going to get, the black death had been there for a while and I also ended up needing the compressor. 1500 dollaroos later I do have a kick ass system though.

Moral of the story; take it to professionals. I got 8 quotes before I settled!

Doug_Scott · July 3, 2014

Anything that is attached to the a/c refrigerant system has a seal that is replaceable. Generally though, the aluminum starts to corrode from the leak as well. As others have suggested, servicing the a/c system is not something just anyone can do correctly.

There is a requirement to recover the old refrigerant, the need to be able to flush the system, then replace standard components is required once system is drained and opened to environment(receiver dryer for one), you also need to know how that particular system operates, and what pressure switch does what function. Before recharging with the correct weight(quantity or volume) of refrigerant, a vacuum must be applied to the system for a minimum of 30 minutes. Then correct amount of oil added, and recharge.

If you have access to all the equipment, and have the knowledge, then go for it. But, if you had all that, you would not be asking here about a pressure switch having a seal or not.

There is very little on a truck that is not a backyard job, you happed to have brought up the main one.

Saddle horse · July 3, 2014

Was asking because the shops said it was not a a seal there , the system is drained completely as it leaked over winter . I discovered the leak when I was putting a can of R134 in it and could hear it leaking it out .

Was planing on replacing the seal and having the shop refill the system after they run a vacuum on it . The truck has well over 200,000 miles and I don't plan buying a new compressor or it since the rest of the truck is wore out as well . Don't drive it often anymore .

Doug_Scott · July 3, 2014

If the spot that is leaking has a removable or serviceable switch in it, it will have a seal. But, if it does not have a wired switch, it is likely not a switch, but more a mechanical valve that is staked into the compressor.

A system that has sat empty will require at least a change of the receiver dryer. That part contains a desiccant bag that removes/absorbs moisture from the system. Once it is "full" of moisture, it cannot be recovered. Moisture inside the system in addition to refrigerant, will become acidic. The a/c system is one of the most complex serviceable parts of the modern automobile.

Chances are the seal at the clutch of the compressor will also be leaking now as well. It sat dry for a long time, then once you add refrigerant to the system and the clutch engages, the dry seal will be burnt before any oil being carried by the refrigerant can lubricate it. The a/c system operates like a 2 stroke engine, and carries oil around the system in the refrigerant.