C2 air conditioner compressor

[Larry S.]

I'm trying to get my AC working for the Summer heat here. My compressor leaks oil and won't hold a charge, so I assume it needs a rebuild. It appears to be the original compressor (or at least the dates match). Should I rebuild my existing compressor or put in a replacement and just hold on to the 'original' one? I plan to keep this car a long time, and I don't know how many times a compressor can be rebuilt.

Is Classic Auto Air in Tampa still the place to use if I have it rebuilt? I assume I'll need a new drier; any recommendations on a source for this? Finally, does Classic Auto Air convert it to R134 when the rebuild is done? I don't know much about air conditioners (and I'm sure it shows), so your help will be greatly appreciated.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

Hi Larry:

Classic Auto Air in Tampa is certainly an option. If you check the archives you will see they get mixed reviews. I had them rebuild my AC compressor and dryer and check my POA and expansion valves. So far I'm pleased with the work they did, but I found them a bit hard to communicate with. They are not good at returning calls.

Another vendor that some people like is Old Air Products in Texas. I don't know much about them other than visiting their web site.

If you have your original dryer, you can have it rebuilt with a new dessicant that works for either R12 or R134A. The original dryers have a distinctive shape and markings, so this is probably preferable to using a replacement unit.

For your compressor rebuild, there is no difference between R12 and R134A except possibly for the type of oil that is used. You may need to tell the rebuilder in advance which type of refrigerent you plan to use.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

Larry,

The GM Delco/Frigidaire A6 compressor by design will alway weep a small amount of oil to keep the seal lubricated. The seal would disintegrate if not. There is a cylindrical felt wick in the seal housing to keep the oil contained, but will get quite saturated over time. Every A6 will weep some oil, thus eventually spinning some on the hood, etc.

Possibly the ceramic seal is at fault, however, unless you have your system completely leak tested you won't know for sure if it's the compressor or some other area that's leaking. You may want to consider having a AC shop verify where, that is if you can drive the car there.

I have rebuilt and replaced the seal on the A6 we have on a "non corvette" we own, it's ice cold R12, and now weeps a bit, but no freon leakage. Been over a year now. Replacing the seal requires special tools.

Personally, I would stay with R12, yes it's pricey juice but still available and IMO worth a few extra colder degrees at the vents.

If you want to know more how they're rebuilt, check out:

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/7954_air_conditioning_compressor_rebuild/index.html

Also some good reading here:

http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=20&threadid=8294

FYI a few pics of the seal below......Rich

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

Factory original A6 compressors from the C2 era did NOT use a ceramic front seal. They came with a less expensive sintered metal bearing/seal assy that's notorious for leaking as it wears.

Replacing the existing front seal (requires special tools) with a better ceramic seal/bearing assy is quite often the only thing that needs to be done to recover proper operation on an aged A6! Replacement seal/bearing kits are available from most local auto parts stores.

Most auto A/C shops no longer do discrete A6 repair work because it's cheaper for them to buy/install a remaufactured compressor. Most of the 'cheapie' rebuilders save a few bucks by using the metal vs. ceramic seal/bearing assy (they WILL make it through the warranty period) and don't bother to install a fresh absorbant pad above the bearing/seal.

They simply print some 'crawfish' line about you should expect some oil leakage from the front seal until the new compressor 'seats' itself during initial wear-in....

[Larry S.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

Thank, everyone! You guys are worth your weight in gold!

[Gary J.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor rebuild

In the June 2008 issue of Corvette Magazine there is an excellent write up on rebuilding the A6 compressor. If you are thinking about rebuilding the compressor yourself it would be a great reference guide.

Gary Jaynes
#3503

[Scott S.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

According to an A/C "expert", he mentioned you have to change the O rings to the newer green style & replace all the black old style ones IF you're changing to the 134 refrigerant & use Ester oil, no?

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

He's right, R134 uses a different refigerant oil than R12 and the parts used need to match the characteristics of the refigerant + the oil. Additonally, the system needs to be purged of ALL of its residual oil.

That means draining & cleaning the oil in the compressor, evaporator, condensor, receiver/dryer and the interconnect lines....

[Jim T.]

Re: C2 air conditioner compressor

Larry here is a site you can get some information. http://www.id-usa.com/