Air con compressor leak

[stevesey]

Having fixed my oil leak from the filter housing and spent some time cleaning up the engine I have noticed front of the compressor is weeping bright green oil (from the front bearing seal by the look of it). I assume this is the air-con oil. Air con itself was re-gassed 14 months ago and is running nice and cold.

Anyone any ideas on how this will progress? Could it weep for ages or am I going to be needed a new compressor soon?

 

[Number_Cruncher]

I would find out if you can overhaul the front seal.

The danger of allowing the leak is that the oil leaks out before the low pressure switch trips. If this happens, the compressor will run short of oil, and internal damage will follow quickly.

If you can overhaul the seal, it will save you a few hundred pounds when comared with a new compressor.

 

[stevesey]

Looks like seal kits are available - would need some instructions though about how to get the front pulley off. Also of course can this be done in-situ without depressirising the system - or is the seal holding gas pressure as well?

Trip to air-con specialist may be in order.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>Trip to air-con specialist may be in order.

One possible route might be;

- get refrigerant removed by a specialist
- obtain and fit the new seal, plugging any opened connections to prevent contamination
- fit a new receiver dryer
- test system under vacuum, or, even better using Nitrogen under pressure
- get refrigerant recharged

Alternatively, hand over the entire job to an AC specialist.

If you do take on the job yourself, one thing that might catch you out is the oil specification. Oil inside the system is PAG oil.

Oil used to lubricate parts which have an interface with atmospheric air must not be lubricated with PAG oil for assembly - use a mineral oil instead. The PAG oil is hygroscopic, and becomes acidic when it takes on water. This is no problem inside the AC system, as there should be no moisture at all.

Your compressor seal has an interface with the atmospheric air, and so, should not be lubricated with PAG oil for assembly.

 

[lynall]

Cheaper and less hassle to get a second hand compressor?

I have never seen a faulty a/c compressor yet, meaning its pretty good odds a second hand one will be fine.



Lynall

 

[panason1c]

am I going to be needed a new compressor soon?

C CLASS (W202) 2.4 C240, Petrol, Manual/Automatic, May 96 to Jun 98 :: Mercedes C CLASS (W202) ::...

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>Cheaper and less hassle to get a second hand compressor?

If Stevesy replaces the seal himself, then it would be difficult to find a cheaper fix - the seal itself will cost much less than a replacement compressor, new or second hand.

All the other refrigerant removal, lubrication, and re-charging steps remain exactly the same.

Less hassle? Yes, I think that's probably true - assuming the replacement comressor is a good 'un!

 

[lynall]

Of course thats assuming Steve has rebuilt an a/c comp before and the inevitable mistakes that are bound to happen the first time around, plus is seal leaking because of bearing or bush wear?

Unbolt old one and pipes fit new/2nd hand one refit pipes, regass job hopefully done.



Lynall