AC Compressor Bad??

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bob - 18 Oct 2006 03:37 GMT

At the beginning of summer (about April-May), a can of freon would leak out
in about a week. Did this twice. Third time, I put in 2 cans with the UV
dye (took 2 cans for some reason). Dang thing ran all summer. Added a can
last week and not cooling again. Used UV light bulb in the trouble light
and the only place I see the dye is on the body of the compressor. This
compressor looks kind of like the end caps are pressed over the body and the
dye look as if it is oozing from under these "end caps" towards the body of
the compressor. Also looks like the dye is on the motor under the
compressor. I don't see any on the pulley or behind it (best I can look).
Is this a common failure (body of compressor leaks) or did the dye just get
there from a bad seal and blow back? How would you normally test a
compressor for leaks?

This is a 1996 Chevy K1500 extended cab pickup with 5.7 liter motor and 150K
miles.

Thanks for reading and any advice.
Bobby

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Steve B. - 18 Oct 2006 14:21 GMT

>At the beginning of summer (about April-May), a can of freon would leak out
>in about a week. Did this twice. Third time, I put in 2 cans with the UV
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>there from a bad seal and blow back? How would you normally test a
>compressor for leaks?

My guess would be that the front shaft seal has failed and you are
seeing the end result from the dye being blown / washed back. In any
case you are looking at a compressor replacement to fix the problem.

Steve B.

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hls - 18 Oct 2006 18:21 GMT

"Steve B." <none@none.com> wrote in message

> My guess would be that the front shaft seal has failed and you are
> seeing the end result from the dye being blown / washed back. In any
> case you are looking at a compressor replacement to fix the problem.
>
> Steve B.

Steve is almost certain to be ¨RIGHT ON with his diagnosis. GM compressors
are known to fail in this way. There may be other problems as well, and a
properly outfitted AC mechanic can find any other leaks.

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Woody - 19 Oct 2006 00:44 GMT

Lets see. You put the dye in and waited for it to fail before checking!!!
You should have been checking shortly after putting the dye in and often
thereafter. Waiting until it all blew out will find it anywhere....

> At the beginning of summer (about April-May), a can of freon would leak
> out in about a week. Did this twice. Third time, I put in 2 cans with
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Thanks for reading and any advice.
> Bobby

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