A/C compressor leak. Help
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 39
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From: whittier California
A/C compressor leak. Help Well,
I recently picked up a 98 z28. The only thing wrong with it was the ac didn't blow cold. I added some leak detector about two days four days ago and couldn't find any leaks. So, I added some r134a and the system began to work again.
Today as I washed the car I noticed a stain on the cement, the same color as the dye for the leak detector. I pulled out the pen light and it looks like the leak is coming from the top of the compressor. I looked at all the lines and they are not leaking.
If I look down in between the dryer and the air tube on the passenger side manifold I can see the dye on the top of the compressor. But, to my knowledge there are no lines on the top of the compressor. Are there? And, if there aren't any, then where is the leak coming from. Any ideas??
thanks
I recently picked up a 98 z28. The only thing wrong with it was the ac didn't blow cold. I added some leak detector about two days four days ago and couldn't find any leaks. So, I added some r134a and the system began to work again.
Today as I washed the car I noticed a stain on the cement, the same color as the dye for the leak detector. I pulled out the pen light and it looks like the leak is coming from the top of the compressor. I looked at all the lines and they are not leaking.
If I look down in between the dryer and the air tube on the passenger side manifold I can see the dye on the top of the compressor. But, to my knowledge there are no lines on the top of the compressor. Are there? And, if there aren't any, then where is the leak coming from. Any ideas??
thanks
You need to check the hose that runs from the bottom corner of the condensor to a metal coupler, then the metal line goes behind the compressor. 2 people in the past couple months, plus mine, have sprung a tiny little hole and it sprays out all over the place.
I'd get under the car, with some safety goggles on in case it pops while your messing with it. Move the hose around with your hand, pushing it up, down, side to side, listening and looking for the leak.
See what you find. And no, there's no hose directly above the compressor. Now if the dryer somehow has leak yunder neath it, then I could see it getting where you found it.
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I'd get under the car, with some safety goggles on in case it pops while your messing with it. Move the hose around with your hand, pushing it up, down, side to side, listening and looking for the leak.
See what you find. And no, there's no hose directly above the compressor. Now if the dryer somehow has leak yunder neath it, then I could see it getting where you found it.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 39
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From: whittier California
pics So, I got under the car and found where it was leaking. I used a mirror to check the fittings that connect to the back of the compressor and they were dry. It seems to be leaking form the compressor case itself. I have attached a picture to see what you guys think. thanks
just a possibility --on the back of the a/c compressor is a high pressure relief valve.
Now if you just re-filled the system recently . . . it is quite possible that you added a little bit to much refregerant.
The point is: the high pressure relief valve will leak out any extra oil/refrigerant that is placed in the system and maybe the residue that you are seeing has leaked down to that particular location from the high pressure relief valve?
Now if you just re-filled the system recently . . . it is quite possible that you added a little bit to much refregerant.
The point is: the high pressure relief valve will leak out any extra oil/refrigerant that is placed in the system and maybe the residue that you are seeing has leaked down to that particular location from the high pressure relief valve?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: whittier California
just a possibility --on the back of the a/c compressor is a high pressure relief valve.
Now if you just re-filled the system recently . . . it is quite possible that you added a little bit to much refregerant.
The point is: the high pressure relief valve will leak out any extra oil/refrigerant that is placed in the system and maybe the residue that you are seeing has leaked down to that particular location from the high pressure relief valve?
Now if you just re-filled the system recently . . . it is quite possible that you added a little bit to much refregerant.
The point is: the high pressure relief valve will leak out any extra oil/refrigerant that is placed in the system and maybe the residue that you are seeing has leaked down to that particular location from the high pressure relief valve?
I think that you might be correct in your diagnosis. After cleaning the compressor (after i posted those pictures) I have checked the compressor each day and have yet to see any more liquid on the compressor housing. The air still blows cold too! Thanks for the reply. Not many others added their insights. Your help thoughts were very much appreciated.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
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From: Connecticut SE shore
Compressor casing/seal leaks are quite common on 10-18 year old units. Mine started leaking at the compressor casing seal at the 13 yr point. Aftermarket units run $175-$225. An OEM equivalent AC Delco/Delphi unit runs around $300-$325. I got the Delphi as I really didn't want to replace the compressor again before 10 years. And what came off my '99 was a Delphi labeled unit. Along with the compressor you also need to replace the drier/receiver/LP line assembly and the orifice tube. I bought all 3 for around $375. You get a small break if you them from the same outfit.
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Verdad Gallardo Compressor casing/seal leaks are quite common on 10-18 year old units. Mine started leaking at the compressor casing seal at the 13 yr point. Aftermarket units run $175-$225. An OEM equivalent AC Delco/Delphi unit runs around $300-$325. I got the Delphi as I really didn't want to replace the compressor again before 10 years. And what came off my '99 was a Delphi labeled unit. Along with the compressor you also need to replace the drier/receiver/LP line assembly and the orifice tube. I bought all 3 for around $375. You get a small break if you them from the same outfit.
In 2015 after ~16 summers of use my 99TA's AC compressor developed a leak. I took it to a local shop. The quote was $900 about $450 in parts for new compressor, evaporator, condenser and $450 in labor. The shop charged $69 an hour so by their estimate / book time it was a 6.5 hour repair.
That seemed fair enough with a one year warranty so I had them fix it. They had it done in one day.
I didn't want to spend three or so days working on it several hours after work each day.
That seemed fair enough with a one year warranty so I had them fix it. They had it done in one day.
I didn't want to spend three or so days working on it several hours after work each day.
In 2015 after ~16 summers of use my 99TA's AC compressor developed a leak. I took it to a local shop. The quote was $900 about $450 in parts for new compressor, evaporator, condenser and $450 in labor. The shop charged $69 an hour so by their estimate / book time it was a 6.5 hour repair.
That seemed fair enough with a one year warranty so I had them fix it. They had it done in one day.
I didn't want to spend three or so days working on it several hours after work each day.
That seemed fair enough with a one year warranty so I had them fix it. They had it done in one day.
I didn't want to spend three or so days working on it several hours after work each day.
