Best AC Compressor
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I recently purchased a 1999 C5 that sat for over 12 years and my air conditioner hold the freon. If the seals are bad do I need to replace the whole compressor or can the seals be replaced without the full cost of one ?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 276
From: Cincinnati Ohio
I was an engineer on the Delphi team that launched this compressor back in 1996 so I have a lot of experience with this compressor. For me, it is way too much work to remove and reinstall the compressor to risk a home rebuild. Something like a Chevy S10, which uses the same basic pump, is easy to R&R so I would try a rebuild with no hesitation.
If you do decide to rebuild, and buy or borrow the needed tools, watch out for corrosion which works its way under the 2 large diameter oring seals on the compressor body. You will have to clean up and smooth those sealing surfaces. Lubricate all the orings before assembly too. If I remember correctly, we used the R12 compressor mineral oil to lubricate orings.
