a/c system leaking oil?

[pdupler]

Anyone ever have their compressor spring a leak and drip oil? I have drips from the bottom of a compressor yet I can't identify a trail of oil coming from elsewhere on the engine and making it to the compressor. Looks like clean engine oil but I can't tell just by looking.

[Dangerous Ken]

Most compressors have a water drain on the bottom (thinking air compressor).
The water that comes out is really dirty and looks like oil.
Just a guess, as I know you have a good compressor.

Ken

[RedP85]

If I am not mistaken, a very small amount of lubrificating oil is added
in the A/C system when serviced (re-charged)
CMIIW (Correct Me If I'm Wrong !)

[pdupler]

I don't know if its a small amount. IIRC its like 8 ounces poured into the compressor sump (I should look it up but too lazy). Anyways, its picked up and circulated through the system. All parts of the system will have some amount of compressor oil, particularly the receiver/dryer unit. I've just never seen a compressor actually drip oil and it seems all the more strange since I haven't turned on the a/c system in this car since probably september and this just started.

[onephatcrackaII]

yea there is oil added to the a/c lines to lubricate the compressor (which is basically a little engine it self w/ out the ignition)it could be that it just built up over the years... or too much was added.

[lechner]

Isn't the oil in an AC system mixed with the refrigerant and pressurized? Cause if so it would't drip out, it would be like an air leak on a tire. And the AC would not stay pressurized or cold at all. I would say check the pressure in the system.

[bracham]

Yeah if you've got oil leaking then you have a pressure leak which is not good for an A/C system. And seeing as it's oil that's leaking, it's a pretty decent leak...so you probably have no pressure. Once your pressure drops and air starts getting into your system, it's the shits. Mostly cause that oil literally sucks moisture out of the air, and water wrecks A/C systems. I'd get it checked out very soon by a qualified A/C technician. Probably a seal is shot...which will require unloading the system, opening up whatever is leaking and changing the seal, and then recharging. (I guess that's kind of obvious.) The dryer will probably need changing also. Then the system will have to be vacuumed. If you had the equipment you could do it yourself, but up here you need to have A/C tech papers to get the refrigerant or whatever it's called, and I'm assuming it's same in most of north america.
(Oh, a friend of mine left about an eighth inch of that oil in an eight-ounce glass for like overnight, and IIRC by morning the glass was overflowing with water! That's how much that oil attracts moisture.)

[Chrisfrom1986]

they sell recharge kits at walmart out here.

[bracham]

**WARNING** Do not buy home recharge kits! They use a refrigerant that is dangerous to your car's A/C system! It comes from refrigerants that are meant to be used only in like fridges and such with no rubber lines. This stuff for home use eats rubber lines, and will eventually make your A/C system totally plugged and useless. The rubber will also collect in the pump and wreck it. Usually, it is also mixed refrigerants which makes them way more dangerous! Some places it is almost illegal to sell this stuff, but there is some loophole the companies use to get around that (I can't remember what that is though). Go to a shop and get it done right, or I can almost guarantee that you will be spending way more money on replacing your whole system in the future.

[Chrisfrom1986]

hmm, they sell them in the automotive section, oh well. i didnt notice any rubber lines when i tore out my ac though. :?

[bracham]

Yes they sell them in the automotive section cause they are "meant to be used in autos". And unless your car is 84+, chris, there are rubber lines in the A/C system for sure. 84+ I don't know, they might have changed to all metal lines.

[Marblehead]

The recharge kits you are seeing are for the newer A/C refrigerants, R154. This new refrigerant started usage sometime early 1990’s. Our cars originally came with R12 freon which is now illegal to sell to the general public. Authorized dealers and techs can still use it. These R154 recharge kits can not be used to recharge with R12. You can use R154 in a system originally designed for R12 BUT you first need to remove ALL R12 and vacuum the system. You cannot put R12 in a system originally designed for R154.

40 below.
Scott

[bracham]

Hey Scott are you an A/C tech or anything of the sort? I got all my info from a friend and his dad when I was living at their place and they took the Canadian A/C technician's course. From what I remember...there's alot more details to it than simply just those two numbers you gave. The R12 and R154 are the two main good refrigerants. Like you said, the R12 is older, while the R154 is half new. IIRC systems can be converted over to R154 from R12, but it can get quite expensive as the R154 molecules are smaller and so it leaks quicker, so an old system may need to be completely replaced.
As you said, the recharge kits are for use with R154 systems, but they are not R154 refrigerant, from what I remember. That's where what I said in my last post comes in.
If I get a chance I can ask my friends again here one day, but I'm pretty sure this is all correct.
Basicly I'm just trying to say...please don't use something that's cheap and easy to use...just cause it's cheap and easy. From what I know, it will not be cheap and easy in the long run!

[Keyfoo]

Yes there is oil in your a/c. Those kits at walmart or auto store are not recommended for our systems. There is different oils used and must be flushed with those kit plus you have to put a/c on vaccumm to remove all traces of moisture.

do a web search on enviro-12, You dont have to put sys on vacumm, It uses less, so it takes less hp to run comperssor. and is very cold. Ive been using this for over a year and no problems. easy diy.

Ck where the hose are attached to compressor, there are o rings where the hose nipple are attached. If the leak anywhere else do search on rebuilding compressor.

[Tire Shredder]

this is a little off topic but my A/C compressor has a small leak near the front of it. it doesn't drip on the garage floor but there always seems to be a drop of fluorescent green refrigerant hanging there. I am missing the tensioner and do not have the A/C belt on, I have never used it. Eventually, I want the system repaired and switched over to R154. I was thinking of just purchasing one of those "remanufactured" ones off of ebay and taking it to a reputable A/C shop and get the whole thing looked over.

On average, what does a complete, proper R154 conversion cost? I know it's expensive...

[Angkistrodon]

I had and oil leak in my compressor and I could trace it fairly easily because I put dye in the system. A normal system should really have no leaks what so ever.
on my car it turned out the compressor had a microcrack in the housing...and under the pressure loads created by the system it forced oil/refridge out while it was running...yet it still held a vaccum. If your AC still runs fine..but you have an oil leak....this is not good!......best thing to due is to evac the system then recharge it with the leakfinder dye....then go from there. Make sure you put alot of the dye in there....make it easier to find the leak.

It might be the fittings on the compressor and not the compressor itself....

[dynamic73]

The compressor holds about 2 to 3.5 ounces of oil. The main place the compressor will leak is at the front seal. I've also seen them leak on the compressor body. Where the o rings seal the main body together. This is very rare for them to leak here. Another possiblity is that one of the top hoses is leaking and running down the compressor. This will show up as a very small oil leak.

The front seal is replaceble but I do not advise it. I've seen a lot of techs do a seal replacement. Then end up having to replace the compressor only a few weeks later. Because the old seal will wear a small groove in the main shaft. Which will prevent the new seal from sealing properly. If it's a o ring on the body leaking. You looking at the same thing. It's best to replace the compressor. If you're still using R12. Then you know the cost of having to refiill the AC system is very expensive. You need to make sure where it's leaking 1st. Before you try and fix this problem. It very possible for one of the AC hoses to be leaking. Causing oil to run down the compressor. You'll need to clean the compressor with degreasor and then check where the leak is coming from.

If it's leaking at the front seal or main body. Then I would recommend a compressor replacement. If it's one of the hoses leaking. Then remove the hose and replace the o ring.

Hope this is some help to you.

[SupraWes]

Green liquid on your compressor means that your heater bypass hose is leaking probably at the fitting where it goes onto the thermostat housing. And that you are using the wrong type of antifreeze, it should be the red kind :-)

[onephatcrackaII]

you can use the stuff from walmart as long as it is R134A. but to use it your system has to be evacuated of the previous R12 and Oil that our system is using.

i'll be doing a conversion with in a few weeks here at school and i'll let you guys know how it goes.

[bracham]

onephatcrackaII, are you taking an A/C course or such?

[onephatcrackaII]

yea... i'm majoring in pottery and i'm doing a/c work there.......

lol

yea i'm in an automotive tech program. i'm in the a/c heating class now and the electronics 205 class.

[Marblehead]

Ah! R134 not R154. I knew it was 1something4. As you can see. No. I am not an AC technician, just going by what I've heard/read/seen. I only use R12 freon in my MKII, never have used R134, never will...in the MKII anyway.

[batmobile]

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