A/C Compressor seal

[fixitguy50]

Almost three years ago I had the A/C compressor on my 1999 Legacy 2.2L SW replaced along with the received drier. The compressor was installed by a professional and came from Advance Auto. It started leaking from around the front seal after one year and was toast in two years. I decided to diagnosis and repair the problem myself this summer. I got a Zexel DKV-14G compressor from off another 99 Legacy from a salvage yard, flushed the lines, replaced the oil, vacuumed the system and recharged it. It ran great for four months, but now is leaking again from the front seal. Did the seal fail from lack of use and lubrication from being out of use or is there something else causing the repeat failure ? Anybody have experience with these compresors? What's a good source of seals and do I need a clutch tool kit to change the front seal without damaging it ?

[Scoobywagon]

Rebuilding a compressor is generally not cost-effective. It is a PITA and, odds are, you'll be revisiting the problem.

 

Now, I find it a bit odd that you have a 14G compressor. I'm not doubting you. I believe that you have a 14G. HOwever, looking at my compressor catalog, the lego's all call for the DKV14D. A new DKV14D should run somewhere around $600 + tax. A reman should run about $460 + tax. BOth should include NEW clutches. Further, I don't see a rebuild kit available for this compressor. Not saying there isn't one...just that I don't see one currently available.

 

Just so I can cover all the bases, here....

 

How have you determined that it is leaking at the front seal?

[Fairtax4me]

Chances are the used compressor was near failure in just the same way yours was when it went to the yard.

 

Rebuilt compressors are big gamble. Generally what gets replaced is only what's actually bad. Your best bet for longevity is brand new, or a reman with a warranty. But most reman compressors with a warranty require replacement of the condenser, evaporator, and accumulator at the same time so there is no chance of debris (dirt, metal shavings, oxidation, etc) getting into the compressor and destroying it.

 

That can get quite expensive, so unless you really want to spend $1,000+ on renewing your entire ac system, stick with the used parts.

[erik litchy]

how did the shaft look? was it scored in any way? surface quality is important. also the front bearing is very good idea to change at the same time.

 

basically theres no way to tell unless its apart

[fixitguy50]

Leadfoot,

I'm trying to determine what the cost of changing the seal is. NAPA says they can get a seal/gasket kit for $18, but that they don't have a picture of it. Where can I get a front bearing and what's a normal cost ? Do I need clutch removal tool kit for this job ?

[fixitguy50]

Scoobywagon:

A few days ago, I notice a new smell when I put on the defroster and that the smell left when I turned it off. I looked under the hood when I got home and found dyed oil around the compressor shroud and on the clutch. Is there a difference in specs between a DKV-14D and a DKV-14G. I got the compressor from a salvage yard and it looked the same and mounted the same. The compressor I was replacing was not the factory original. My thought is that since the front seal leak has just begun, that I may be able to fix the problem before it causes compressor failure. Since my salvage yard compressor only lasted 4 months (90 day guarantee) and the last remanufactured compressor lasted just over a year before it began to leak (one year guarantee), it looks like replacing the front seal would be a better option. The information I've seen says that the system holds 5 oz. of oil and that only the compressor is changed that 2 oz. should be put into the compressor. I used polymax oil last time. Should I use PAG 46 ? Thanks for any advice.