David L. Lutz

Over a 1 1/2 years ago I changed all the o-rings, dryer, expansion valve, etc. etc. in my A/C system and even changed out the bearing in my compressor for good measure.

The system has not leaked any R-12 (still blowing super cold after more that a year). I noticed about 6 months ago there was a drop or 2 of oil on the floor under the compressor which now as increased to several drops after every time I drive the car.

Can the compressor leak oil and not freon? How long do I have before I will need to pull the compressor and seal it or replace it.

Thanks for your thoughts.

blown 87

Nope, not on the ones used on the 928.

If you have a oil leak that big and it is still full of freon, that is not where your oil leak is from.

joejoe

After the original compressor on my 86.5 went bad I bought a new (big mistake) porsche compressor and had it installed by a/c shop. It had small drip from front from day one. Shop said this was normal and would stop. Through out next year I would call, they would check and say not to worry 'normal'. Took car in at beginning of summer as no cold air produced and shop charged, checked and said compressor bad need a new one (this was 1 month after warranty expired.) They would no nothing even though it was documented by them I had been having problems.

I was so pissed off now that I got a 609 certification, bought my own freon and equipment (shops were almost giving away recovery units so I now have 3) bought the system 928intl. used to carry, installed, evacuated, charged, and have not touched it in over seven years. Still ice cold. So can the units leak from front? Yes. Why did my new compressor leak from start? I don't know it is still on my shelf wrapped up and sealed as a reminder to be careful who you deal with even if they are very reputable.

Mrmerlin

most likely place for the leak is the tensioner.
Get some spray cleaner and clean off the tensioner underside, and also check the level.
If its low I suggest to get some STP oil and fill the tensioner with a visene bottle with the tip drilled out a bit.
If the tensioner is not low then it might be leaking from the bolt that goes through the tensionerinto the head , this will require the front lower timing cover to come off to reseal the bolt..
If its neither of these then it could be a front cam radial seal or a cam cover gasket

David L. Lutz

I will double check the tensioner level, good thought. Maybe I just can't see that leak.

Thanks for the help.

Prionace Glauca

It seems that "some" oil was anticipated...at least on the 6E171... Is the oil slung off the outboard or circumference side of the carbon-face seal ??? The carbon face seal needs a film of oil on its surface in order to work. I believe that the "drip felt" carries/keeps the oil away from the clutch surfaces and allows it to travel to the lowest point of the compressor housing.
Mine does have a drop hanging onto the end of the felt.

gcthree

I get this same drip from the wick on my ACcompressor. Is this normal? Now, granted, my car has sat for the past year and not run until last Saturday when I re-fired it, and I don't know if this has any bearing on the issue.

Who wants oil dripping under your car...? This cannot be correct, right??

Bob

dr bob

The wick is there solely to carry oil that does leak away from the compressor clutch pack. It shouldn't leak, but if it does there's a tiny bit of protection.

Mine leaks gas if left for extended periods without running the AC. No oil leakage at all from the shft seal. It's a mechanical seal that depends on a continuous fiilm of oil to stay gas-tight; if there was enough oil to leak, it would seal the face and no leak. Until the seal fails completely. They also get damaged during installation, and may not be perfectly straight if pounded in without the prober guide, but those cause bigger leaks that show up immediately when you pull vacuum on the system prior to initial charging.


Meanwhile, almost any oil leakage on the front or top right side of the engine will leave telltales on the compressor and bracketry. I work to keep everything under there really clean so it's easier to spot leaks, but still ended up under there for an hour cleaninig, and reseated the bolts for the oil sump again when I could see a little oil film at the edge of the gasket in a few places.