leaky AC compressor

[David Brady]

Folks,

I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red
in color. Is this R12 or R134a? Does the compressor use some
sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?

David
'02 LXi, NC

[Eric Perplies]

The refrigerant in your '02 is almost certainly R134a. The lube used
in the compressor is a special low temperature ester oil. All the
lubes I have seen are colorless or nearly colorless. The red color
you see is likely a dye that has been put in the freon to identify the
position of a freon leak. It's also illuminates with UV light. You
didn't mention where the leak is. The only opening is the shaft seal,
under the clutch. On my compressor it would be very hard to see the
shaft seal area because the clutch is in the way. If the leak is
around a fitting or around a flange you may be lucky enough to have a
loose fastener.

Does your a/c system still cool?

Eric Perplies
96' 42' WBWL




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red
> in color. Is this R12 or R134a? Does the compressor use some
> sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?
>
> David
> '02 LXi, NC
>

[David Brady]

Thanks Eric,



It is leaking from behind the clutch in the vicinity of the

shaft seal. The AC does still cool, and quite well. I'll check

the bolts. Around 2 years ago BB replaced the a seal on

the compressor, probably the shaft seal but I don't recall

for certain. I'll have to sift through some old receipts. If

it is the shaft seal, and the ester oil is leaking out, is there

a fill plug to add oil? Will I risk damaging the unit if I

continue to run. I would guess that I would if the compressor

is starting to run low on lubricating oil.



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC



Eric Perplies wrote:

The refrigerant in your '02 is almost certainly R134a. The lube
used

in the compressor is a special low temperature ester oil. All the

lubes I have seen are colorless or nearly colorless. The red color

you see is likely a dye that has been put in the freon to identify the

position of a freon leak. It's also illuminates with UV light. You

didn't mention where the leak is. The only opening is the shaft seal,

under the clutch. On my compressor it would be very hard to see the

shaft seal area because the clutch is in the way. If the leak is

around a fitting or around a flange you may be lucky enough to have a

loose fastener.



Does your a/c system still cool?



Eric Perplies

96' 42' WBWL



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com",
David Brady "dmb993@..." wrote:

>

> Folks,

>

> I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red

> in color. Is this R12 or R134a? Does the compressor use some

> sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?

>

> David

> '02 LXi, NC

>

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1504 - Release Date: 6/15/2008 5:52 PM

[Don Bradner]

The problem is that a leak is a leak is a leak. You are losing oil, dye, and
coolant, equally, until you have no pressure left.

Most likely a low-pressure cutout switch in the circuit somewhere will stop the
compressor from engaging when it gets too low, making the lack of lubricant
immaterial.

Getting it fixed before you lose a few hundred dollars worth of coolant could be
a good idea...

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

On 6/16/2008 at 9:29 AM David Brady wrote:

>Thanks Eric,
>
>It is leaking from behind the clutch in the vicinity of the
>shaft seal. The AC does still cool, and quite well. I'll check
>the bolts. Around 2 years ago BB replaced the a seal on
>the compressor, probably the shaft seal but I don't recall
>for certain. I'll have to sift through some old receipts. If
>it is the shaft seal, and the ester oil is leaking out, is there
>a fill plug to add oil? Will I risk damaging the unit if I
>continue to run. I would guess that I would if the compressor
>is starting to run low on lubricating oil.
>
>David Brady
>'02 LXi, NC

[David Brady]

Yup, it seems these compressors need service of some sort

or another every 2 years. sigh...



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC



Don Bradner wrote:

The problem is that a leak is a leak is a leak. You are losing
oil, dye, and coolant, equally, until you have no pressure left.



Most likely a low-pressure cutout switch in the circuit somewhere will
stop the compressor from engaging when it gets too low, making the lack
of lubricant immaterial.



Getting it fixed before you lose a few hundred dollars worth of coolant
could be a good idea...



Don Bradner

90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"

Eureka, CA



On 6/16/2008 at 9:29 AM David Brady wrote:



>Thanks Eric,

>

>It is leaking from behind the clutch in the vicinity of the

>shaft seal. The AC does still cool, and quite well. I'll check

>the bolts. Around 2 years ago BB replaced the a seal on

>the compressor, probably the shaft seal but I don't recall

>for certain. I'll have to sift through some old receipts. If

>it is the shaft seal, and the ester oil is leaking out, is there

>a fill plug to add oil? Will I risk damaging the unit if I

>continue to run. I would guess that I would if the compressor

>is starting to run low on lubricating oil.

>

>David Brady

>'02 LXi, NC

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1504 - Release Date: 6/15/2008 5:52 PM

[Eric Perplies]

As Don mentioned there is no other solution than replace the seal or
the compressor. I have had a leaking seal also. I wondered what
caused the leaking seal. I decided to carefully inspect the
compressor. I found that the sheaves on the compressor were out of
alignment with respect to the engine output pulley. Because the
compressor mount was SO massive I looked elsewhere to find what was
wrong. It turned out that the big hinge joint that the compressor
pivots on has worn the frame of the mount. I had a new pin made and
the frame re-bored.

The point is: Inspect the alignment of the two sets of sheaves. A
long straight piece of metal should be all you need.

I choose to replace the whole compressor, clutch and sheaves. I found
a great price on this item from http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com I think
it was about $225. Only a few times the price of just a seal. If you
are going to go this route buy the compressor yourself. A
refrigeration supply house or a shop will likely charge many times
this cost.

Note too that the suction and pressure fittings on your freon
compressor likely has shutoff valves built into them. If you can shut
both the valves off you can likely keep the freon in your system from
leaking out. One of my valves were frozen. You may be luckier.

Good luck,

Eric Perplies
96' 42' WBWL


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red
> in color. Is this R12 or R134a? Does the compressor use some
> sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?
>
> David
> '02 LXi, NC
>

[Hisham Amaral]

David

Do you know of any source for the AC compressor other than the CCW. I called Fort Valley their price for the compressorfor the97 WB 43ft. is $720.00for new and $620.00 for rebuild unit.

I would appreciate any informationif there are any other sourcesavailable thatsell these compressors.

Hisham Amaral

97 WB 43' Wanderlodge

West Bloomfield MI

David Brady wrote:

Thanks Eric,

It is leaking from behind the clutch in the vicinity of the
shaft seal. The AC does still cool, and quite well. I'll check
the bolts. Around 2 years ago BB replaced the a seal on
the compressor, probably the shaft seal but I don't recall
for certain. I'll have to sift through some old receipts. If
it is the shaft seal, and the ester oil is leaking out, is there
a fill plug to add oil? Will I risk damaging the unit if I
continue to run. I would guess that I would if the compressor
is starting to run low on lubricating oil.

David Brady
'02 LXi, NC

Eric Perplies wrote:

The refrigerant in your '02 is almost certainly R134a. The lube used
in the compressor is a special low
temperature ester oil. All the
lubes I have seen are colorless or nearly colorless. The red color
you see is likely a dye that has been put in the freon to identify the
position of a freon leak. It's also illuminates with UV light. You
didn't mention where the leak is. The only opening is the shaft seal,
under the clutch. On my compressor it would be very hard to see the
shaft seal area because the clutch is in the way. If the leak is
around a fitting or around a flange you may be lucky enough to have a
loose fastener.

Does your a/c system still cool?

Eric Perplies
96' 42' WBWL

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", David Brady "dmb993@..." wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red
> in color. Is this R12 or
R134a? Does the compressor use some
> sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?
>
> David
> '02 LXi, NC
>

 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1504 - Release Date: 6/15/2008 5:52 PM 

[patticake592000]

Most Napa stores and truck supply stores will have the compressor.
Just bring type and model #.

Steve Gureasko
90 WBWL 40 Jus Chillin
Ponchatoula, La.

[David Brady]

Hi Hisham,



No, I haven't looked into it yet. Two years ago BB replaced

the shaft seal on my compressor for $270.00. I found the

receipt but it doesn't have a part number for the seal. I'll

probably do seal replacement again. If you spring for a

new compressor, you may find it failing again in a couple

of years...



A seal destroying groove on the shaft may be repaired

with a Speedi-sleeve or Redi-Sleeve, available at most

transmission shops or even at Napa.



I'm going to try to repair mine.



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC







Hisham Amaral wrote:

David

Do you know of any source for the AC compressor other than the
CCW. I called Fort Valley their price for the compressorfor the97 WB
43ft. is $720.00for new and $620.00 for rebuild unit.

I would appreciate any informationif there are any other
sourcesavailable thatsell these compressors.

Hisham Amaral

97 WB 43' Wanderlodge

West Bloomfield MI

David Brady net> wrote:

Thanks Eric,



It is leaking from behind the clutch in the vicinity of the

shaft seal. The AC does still cool, and quite well. I'll check

the bolts. Around 2 years ago BB eplaced the a seal on

the compressor, probably the shaft seal but I don't recall

for certain. I'll have to sift through some old receipts. If

it is the shaft seal, and the ester oil is leaking out, is there

a fill plug to add oil? Will I risk damaging the unit if I

continue to run. I would guess that I would if the compressor

is starting to run low on lubricating oil.



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC



Eric Perplies wrote:

The refrigerant in your '02 is almost certainly R134a. The
lube used

in the compressor is a special low temperature ester oil. All the

lubes I have seen are colorless or nearly colorless. The red color

you see is likely a dye that has been put in the freon to identify the

position of a freon leak. It's also illuminates with UV light. You

didn't mention where the leak is. The only opening is the shaft seal,

under the clutch. On my compressor it would be very hard to see the

shaft seal area because the clutch is in the way. If the leak is

around a fitting or around a flange you may be lucky enough to have a

loose fastener.



Does your a/c system still cool?



Eric Perplies

96' 42' WBWL



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com",
David Brady "dmb993@..." wrote:

>

> Folks,

>

> I've noticed that my AC compressor is leaking something red

> in color. Is this R12 or R134a? Does the compressor use some

> sort of lubricant or is it lubed by the refrigerant?

>

> David

> '02 LXi, NC

>

 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1504 - Release Date: 6/15/2008 5:52 PM 

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1505 - Release Date: 6/16/2008 7:20 AM

[Pete Masterson]

There are 1872 "AC compressor" listings on eBay. You could probably narrow that down with a model number or brand. At least, the eBay listings might give you a lead on a vendor.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jun 17, 2008, at 7:15 PM, Hisham Amaral wrote:

David

 

Do you know of any source for the AC compressor other than the CCW. I called Fort Valley their price for the compressor for the 97 WB 43ft. is $720.00 for new and $620.00 for rebuild unit.

I would appreciate any information if there are any other sources available that sell these compressors.