The last couple times I've been out driving, my power steering would randomly go out for a short time. A few months ago, I had a new steering rack put in and have since had it re-checked to make sure that was not the problem. Yesterday, after the power steering dissapeared again for a short time, I got home and opened the hood and could see some type of oil sprayed on the underside of the hood, obviously from something leaking in the drivebelt area. Is it possible the A/C compressor is leaking, getting oil on the drivebelt, and making the belt slip on the power steering pump? I did not have the A/C on at all yesterday. A majority of the time while driving, the power steering is fine and I never see any steering fluid dripping under the car. I had an idle problem a few months ago that is showing up again and it may also be related to the A/C compressor. Could the compressor be leaking even when the A/C isn't on and causing my idle to "blip" as it cycles on and off? Sorry for all the questions but it's a mystery to me.

 

Nope.

The A/C oil would appear at a fitting or at the hole in a line. You should be able to find it. But - w/ the compressor turned off - you are not flowing or pressurizing the coolant and oil.

Problem sounds like either a loose connection or a seal on the Power Steering pump. What is the level of the power steering fluid?

If the belt was slipping - it would probably slip on the alternator also and I think you would notice this on your volt gauge.

 

Power steering fluid level is fine. The fluid that was sprayed on the underside of the hood was definitely brownish in color and it was definitely hitting the drive belt, where it splattered everywhere. It makes it tough to see what it is that's leaking. Could it be coolant (mine has that ugly brownish color)? The spray on the hood was dry, but the liquid drops splattered on the alternator and compressor were still wet.

After I got home and saw the spray under the hood, I took her back out again and turned on the A/C this time and that's when my "blip" in the idle started again. I sat in my driveway idling and after maybe 5 minutes I could hear the compressor cycling every 10 seconds, on-off, on-off (or whatever it does, I'm no A/C expert). Is that normal?

 

If the oil is on the hood above the compressor, than the shaft seal is probably shot and once all the oil has leaked out, the compressor will seize (if it engages). Refrigerants, whether the compressor is engaged or not, always have some pressure. At 70 degrees, automotive refrigerants generally have a static pressure of about 70 psi. Raise that temp to 140 degrees (not unusual for an engine compartment) and the pressure will rise to about 205 psi. You have to get down to about 25 degrees, before the refrigerant drops below normal sea level pressures so any opening in the a/c system is going to let the gas out and with it comes the lubricating oil.

A worn compressor or clutch assembly (which includes the pulley) can put an additional load on the engine and the ECM may not be able to compensate for it at idle. You really need to scan it to make sure everything is functioning as it should; ie, that the ECM receives an "on" signal when the compressor engages and that there is a corresponding increase in IAC counts and injector pulse width to maintain idle. On/off of the a/c compressor should be seamless, at least if your Vette is '90 or up. Prior to that, the ECM controls weren't quite as sophisticated and a cycling compressor might be felt if you're really paying attention to it.

Compressor shaft seals can be replaced though you will need to discharge whatever gas is left in the system. However, if it's been leaking for any length of time, a groove can be worn in the shaft and if it's grooved, a new seal isn't going to work. Systems that have been operating without enough lubricant do shed a bunch of metal, so the orifice might be plugged up and it should be removed and cleaned or simply replaced. Also, anytime an a/c system is exposed to the atmosphere, air (moisture) is going to get in and the Accumulator should be replaced. Finally, a vacuum needs to be pulled to get all of the air out of it prior to recharging.

 

"After I got home and saw the spray under the hood, I took her back out again and turned on the A/C this time and that's when my "blip" in the idle started again. I sat in my driveway idling and after maybe 5 minutes I could hear the compressor cycling every 10 seconds, on-off, on-off (or whatever it does, I'm no A/C expert). Is that normal?"

Specs are 8 cycles or less per minute at 70 degrees (and most won't cycle at idle on a 70 degree day if fully charged). Sounds like yours is low on gas, probably because it leaked out - along with some of the oil - through the shaft seal. If you Vette is '90 or above, the ECM should eventually turn everything off and keep it off until it's repaired. What year is your Vette?

 

It's a 94, and after reading the reply's, I have to believe it's the compressor. That was my strong hunch, and I think you guys just convinced me... Off to the corvette shop

 

'94 uses the Nippondenso Compressor which is prone to shaft seal leaks. Unfortunately, they're quite pricey - about $800 at the Dealer and that doesn't include a new clutch assembly. The Last Detail -www.tld-corvette.com, is about $500, still sans a new clutch assembly which is another $200 or so. Shaft seal kits are about 50 Bucks at NAPA.

 

where does one find just the clutch assy?

 

Looks like you can get them on rockauto.com also, with or without the clutch assembly.

So assuming my compressor is leaking at the shaft seal, does it seem likely that the oil leaking out of it is causing my power steering to dissapear occasionally for short periods of time???