AC Compressor Oil leak ---

[Bill C.]

Hey --

What is a reasonable amount of oil to have come from the front seal on the compessor?

The mud flap (inner fender well) will get a spritzing on it - this only happens after I run the AC.

Once what ever residual oil there is, is flung off the clutch, then there is never anymore oil leakage. It doesn't even seem to be an issue while the compressor is turning.

If I have to replace the seal, how much of a PIA is it while it is still mounted up?

I have the hood off the car, I just replaced the radiator (yuk!). Is it easier to get at things while it is off?

lots of questions - sorry.

[Jeff A.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

The problem is not the oil.
The real problem is freon vapors will rise through the fiberglass hood, and ruin your paint.

[William C.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

Yes, replace the seal, there was a discussion a couple of weeks ago about this, you should be able to find it in the archives, went over the process in detail.

[Chuck S.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

I agree with Bill...if you have liquid oil being flung off the clutch, there is too much leakage.

A properly functioning mechanical seal will require some of the pumped fluid between the seal faces for lubrication, but by the time the fluid reaches the outside perimeter of the seal face, it should be virtually vapor.

[Larry S.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

So, that $40 I spent for a shield over my compressor to keep the oil from damaging my hood was just a waste, since freon is the real culprit? If so, what can be done to protect your hood?

[William C.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

Fix the sealing system on the compressor and the oil as well as the nasty Freon will stay off your hood. You already have the hood off, so you have access, the tools can be rented from NAPA or similar outfits, have at it!

[Chuck S.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

So, that $40 I spent for a shield over my compressor to keep the oil from damaging my hood was just a waste, since freon is the real culprit? If so, what can be done to protect your hood?

I'm not convinced it is freon vapor soaking into hoods that causes paint problems. There still may be some trace contamination of freon, but the oil alone is enough to cause paint problems. If I'm right about this, the $40 you spent isn't wasted, but that vaporous gold leaking out of your AC system is still being lost.

Freon is lost from the system because it is dissolved in the leaked oil, but I am fairly confident that most of the freon is flashing out of the oil long before any oil leakage transits across the seal face. Free freon vapor would then dissipate, rather than locally saturate fiberglass.

Once a mechanical seal in refrigerant service begins to leak, it is only going to get worse for this very reason...flashing refrigerant destroys the lapped surface of the seal faces.

[Terry M.]

Re: AC Compressor Oil leak ---

There should be a thick piece of felt in front of the seal to absorb the small (NOTE small) amount of oil that escapes past the seal. If the felt is soaked with oil, it is past time to change the seal -- as others have said. A temporary measure is to take the felt out, squeeze out the oil, clean the felt with a solvent, and put it back. Depending on how bad the seal is leaking, this may work for a short time, long time, or not at all.
The shields are a good move -- you never know when the A6 will start leaking.