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My 97 C5 A/T.......Looks like my ac compressor is leaking. I know its PITA to replace the compressor and there's no room to remove compressor w/o dropping i think subframe? Can some one who has done this give me some tips as to what i can expect in order to remove the compressor? Anything (tips)to help me out to make this job easier would be appreciated.
Can i get to compressor w/o removing or dropping subframe?
What aftermarket compressor do you recommend and from where? Green dye on face of compressor clutch. I cleaned off green dye that was all around the clutch Belt tensioner spattered with green dye from compressor clutch
There is a very detailed write-up you can download in PDF format in the first post of this thread, as well as extra pictures and tips posted by people who have followed it.
There are 2 kits in Amazon: 1 for 97-99 (with a white orifice tube -
I don’t want to persuade you or dissuade you, just give some alternatives. I have no experience with replacing a compressor on a C5 but I was the Quality Manager responsible for the a/c compressor that goes into the C5. This goes back to 1995/96 and this was the first application for our new 7 cylinder variable displacement compressor. The volumes for the C5 were low so we built the compressor in our joint venture factory in Korea. I’ve also been a design engineer for other Harrison Radiator/Delphi compressors. I do have to temper my comments with time. I left Delphi and the compressor business over 13 years ago. Anyway, some alternatives. 1. is your compressor still working and does your system still have some amount of charge in it? In other words, if you hook up a gage set does it still show some pressure? If so, do you really want to open the rest of the system and replace parts like the accumulator dehydrator and orifice tube? There is nothing wrong with replacing them but it is extra work and every joint you open up needs a new o ring. On the other hand, your getting a fresh bag of desiccant in you new accumulator dehydrator. If you do go the replace it all route, don’t panic when you pull the orifice and see bits of debris. As long as your compressor didn’t crap out there is always bits and pieces. 2. If your compressor is working....... Based on your photos, the leak is probably from the lip seal which is a serviceable part. Unfortunately, this needs some specific tools to pull the clutch, pull the pulley, pull the lip seal, and then reinstall it all. Not worth it to buy all these tools for a one time use unless Harbor Freight has cheap stuff. Perhaps an a/c shop will do the work?? 3. What brand of replacement compressor to buy? I’d spend the extra money and buy the Delphi service compressor. This experience goes back about 20 years now but there were some pretty crappy after market manufacturers and crappy rebuilders. There probably were some good ones too.
I don’t want to persuade you or dissuade you, just give some alternatives. I have no experience with replacing a compressor on a C5 but I was the Quality Manager responsible for the a/c compressor that goes into the C5. This goes back to 1995/96 and this was the first application for our new 7 cylinder variable displacement compressor. The volumes for the C5 were low so we built the compressor in our joint venture factory in Korea. I’ve also been a design engineer for other Harrison Radiator/Delphi compressors. I do have to temper my comments with time. I left Delphi and the compressor business over 13 years ago. Anyway, some alternatives. 1. is your compressor still working and does your system still have some amount of charge in it? In other words, if you hook up a gage set does it still show some pressure? If so, do you really want to open the rest of the system and replace parts like the accumulator dehydrator and orifice tube? There is nothing wrong with replacing them but it is extra work and every joint you open up needs a new o ring. On the other hand, your getting a fresh bag of desiccant in you new accumulator dehydrator. If you do go the replace it all route, don’t panic when you pull the orifice and see bits of debris. As long as your compressor didn’t crap out there is always bits and pieces. 2. If your compressor is working....... Based on your photos, the leak is probably from the lip seal which is a serviceable part. Unfortunately, this needs some specific tools to pull the clutch, pull the pulley, pull the lip seal, and then reinstall it all. Not worth it to buy all these tools for a one time use unless Harbor Freight has cheap stuff. Perhaps an a/c shop will do the work?? 3. What brand of replacement compressor to buy? I’d spend the extra money and buy the Delphi service compressor. This experience goes back about 20 years now but there were some pretty crappy after market manufacturers and crappy rebuilders. There probably were some good ones too.
It is leaking at inside of the compressor clutch. When clutch is engaged it throwing the dye out of the clutch. My system is not empty it still has charge snd freon and so far ac is still blowing but feels not as cold since it's leaking. I put on the portable charge hose to refill freon but the charge hose pressure needle is on the yellow which says i don't need a charge. I'm wondering when i had the ac systen charged a year ago buy a mechanic shop they charged to way too much into red zone and that too much pressure in the system blew the seal out at the compressure front shaft to clutch(just a thought). Amazon has delphi compressor for $230 and ac delco for $340 both sustem don't come with o ring kit for the ac pipes. Unfortunately I an not knowledgeable in mechanics in cars i can just do basics like oil change and brake job etc. I'm learing as i go along.
3. What brand of replacement compressor to buy? I’d spend the extra money and buy the Delphi service compressor. This experience goes back about 20 years now but there were some pretty crappy after market manufacturers and crappy rebuilders. There probably were some good ones too.
That's some sage advice right there. I bought a reman from R&Y in Florida and it immediately leaked from the seam just like my original one did. They offered to send me another one even though the warranty was gone (it sat on my shelf for quite a while). I told them no, that I would cut my losses and broadcast to the Corvette community to not buy their stuff. So here it is - don't buy their stuff. I bought A new Delphi and rode off into the sunset with cold a/c.
You don't need to remove or touch the subframe at all. You can remove the water pump and the compressor will come out that way.
Not a fun job either way.
If you look around even more there is a procedure where you loosen the passenger side motor mount and you can jack the engine up just enough to allow the compressor to come out without removing the water pump.
AC Compressor leaking
