DinoBob

After a winter of storage my 86 coupes' ac compressor is slinging oil from the clutch. I added two ounces of oil and checked pressure with a gauge and so far ok. The ac is ice cold.

Has anyone replaced the compressor shaft seal? Is this something I could do? Is it even necessary, or will this stop with some use?

Patsgarage

The seal may "swell" with some use, but probably needs to be replaced. If you do not drive the car for the winter, maybe consider running it every so often to keep all the seals from drying out. Just make sure to run the defroster so the compressor will kick on. As for replacing just the seal, I have never done one, but the only issue could be getting the right puller to remove the clutch.

desertmike1

I have not replaced an R4 front seal (Yet) but it looks like a straight forward procedure, check out the Century air video's..

DinoBob

Did a little research. By the time I buy the tools I think it is just easier to buy a rebuilt compressor. Thanks guys.

Red86Z51

Sounds like you've made up your mind, so my post may well be moot, but rebuilt R4 compressors can be a real crap shoot. Many have lifespans just longer than the warranty, some don't make it that long. There are just too many unknowns on those rebuilt units.

I had the same dilemma as you on my '87, and since my compressor was quiet I opted to buy the tools and do the seal myself. It was surprisingly easy. I was also able to use the same tool kit on the A6 rebuild for my 80 Z28. Heck the tool kit was 1/2 the cost of a rebuilt R4 compressor. To me it was worth removing the risk of the "remanned gamble".

If you're still dead set on plugging in a remanned unit, all I can say is good luck, I hope you draw the long straw.

DinoBob

Ok, I'm paying attention. Where did you get the tools, how much were they, and anything else you want to tell me is helpful.

Red86Z51

I too researched before taking this on, and did as was mentioned above...watching century auto air's video on seal replacement, as well as reviewing the procedure in my FSM. I got my tool kit off of ebay. In fact, here's a link to a BluePoint set (Snap-On) that I would buy right now if I needed it, because at $50 it's a steal!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Blue-Point-ACT-1269-Compressor-Service-Tool-Remover-Installer-/221755149062?hash=item33a1a30b06&item=221755149062&vxp=mtr

This is the seal I purchased and used:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-GM-Compressor-Lip-Shaft-Seal-R4-V5-HD6-HR6-HR6HE-DA6-HT6-A-C-DOUBLE-LIP-/171430993886?hash=item27ea155fde

This job can be done WITHOUT removing the compressor from the car!! Look in your FSM (for my 1987 it's in section 1D) and you'll see there are step by step instructions for changing the seal. It's truly not difficult, and exponentially easier than changing out the compressor.

DinoBob

You = the Man.

I am going to re-assess here. Probably I will buy the kit and do this. Is there going to be a difference in the seal I buy based on the fact that my car is equipped with a replacement Four Seasons compressor, do you think?

Thanks again. Now to see if I can cancel my RockAuto order.

Red86Z51

No siree, no difference in the seals..unless they (ForuSeasons) went cheap and used a single lip seal. The new ones are double lip, and like I said, that same seal can be used in both the R4 and as an upgrade replacement for the ceramic seal in the A6's. Useful info to know just in case you ever happen to nab an oil slinging air conditioned C3!

desertmike1

And... you don't have to remove the outer case, just the nose case, and this would be a good time to drain the old compressor oil, and replace it with new.

There are only two good reasons to replace a Compressor:

#1 Noisy

#2 Poor pumping performance at idle

DinoBob

On it fellas, many thanks.

DinoBob

Back on this, I now have my parts and the system has been recovered by a pro. So I am now ready to get started.

I'll be asking questions here if I run aground. Thank you!

Red86Z51

Standing by....

desertmike1

DinoBob

Been a little busy. This will probably happen early next week.

DinoBob

Working on this as we speak, getting old seal out went fine.

Looking around the web for info on the new seal type.

Red86Z51

You need a double lip shaft seal. It's listed in the link I provided above.

DinoBob

Yes, I do have that. I bought exactly what you recommended. I meant specific info on its installation. In any case, it all went very well with one wrinkle;

The seal protector that goes over the shaft had a small crack and so I used a little painter's tape to wrap it prior to slipping the new seal on. Unfortunately, the act of pushing the seal on pulled some tape off and I think a small piece might be lodged behind the seal.

Is there no way to remove the new double-lip seal without destroying it? The kit's tools do not seem to have any tool that will allow clean removal of the seal.

Really too bad because all else went perfectly.

Red86Z51

Not that I'm aware of---usually (your circumstance being unique) the only time those seals are removed is to replace them, without concern about the removed seals condition.

If the piece is small enough and behind the seal, it shouldn't present a problem, and I don't believe it will enter the system. If you thinks it's caught under the seal, you'll have a leak. You can pull vacuum on the system and see if it holds.

Now on the other hand if you're anything like me in a situation like this, you won't sleep knowing that tape is in there, and won't be happy until you yank the seal and get that piece of tape out, and replace the seal with another new one.

DinoBob

That sucks. Sometimes I am a bit of a dunce.