A/C Compressor, again.

[texasmike]

I recently had my auto repair shop install a NOS Harrison GM R4 compressor. They also replaced the evaporator, accumulator, orifice and also removed the condenser to make it easier to thoroughly flush it. Judging from the compressor part number (12328615) I figure it has been in the box and on the shelf for around 30 years. PAG oil was substituted and the system was charged with 134a. Seven weeks later, the compressor is still cooling well but has started leaking at the shaft seal and case o-ring. This is something that i suspected may happen as a result of age and changing out the original mineral oil. My problem now is that I don't believe my repair shop is really interested in attempting to replace the seal and case o-rings along with guaranteeing the work. I have already purchased the kit and special seal installation tool to complete the repair.
Since I do not have access to a hydraulic press or the two special tools required to properly complete the work, do any of you guys/gals know anyone or a shop in the Houston area that would attempt the repair? Are there any other options?
As always, thanks for any help. I am hell bent on keeping this system original and have spent a lot of $ and time trying to do so.

 

[Finkaire]

Don’t know of any shop, but the oil should have been replaced with Ester oil. PAG is a corrosive and will take out O-rings as well as evaporators in older R-12 systems. I believe it is the shop’s bad IMHO

 

[Ricko1966]

I recently had my auto repair shop install a NOS Harrison GM R4 compressor. They also replaced the evaporator, accumulator, orifice and also removed the condenser to make it easier to thoroughly flush it. Judging from the compressor part number (12328615) I figure it has been in the box and on the shelf for around 30 years. PAG oil was substituted and the system was charged with 134a. Seven weeks later, the compressor is still cooling well but has started leaking at the shaft seal and case o-ring. This is something that i suspected may happen as a result of age and changing out the original mineral oil. My problem now is that I don't believe my repair shop is really interested in attempting to replace the seal and case o-rings along with guaranteeing the work. I have already purchased the kit and special seal installation tool to complete the repair.
Since I do not have access to a hydraulic press or the two special tools required to properly complete the work, do any of you guys/gals know anyone or a shop in the Houston area that would attempt the repair? Are there any other options?
As always, thanks for any help. I am hell bent on keeping this system original and have spent a lot of $ and time trying to do so.

What tools are you missing? And why do you need a hydraulic press?

 

[75gmck25]

I am no A/C expert, but PAG oil is recommended and used in many OEM A/C systems because of its excellent lubricating properties. It may not be the optimum choice for retrofit of an old system, but it should work fine if the system is cleaned and evacuated properly.

Ester is usually better if you are doing a quick retrofit and don’t want to spend so much time cleaning out the system. In this case I would probably use whatever oil was recommended by the compressor manufacturer, carefully flush the evaporator, condenser and lines, and replace the filter/drier, expansion valve, and all o-rings.

 

[texasmike]

What tools are you missing? And why do you need a hydraulic press?

what other way is there to separate the case from the compressor in-order to replace the large front and back o-rings? There is a special tool for that operation. In addition, there is another special tool for removing the clutch which looks better than using a three arm puller.

 

[Ricko1966]

what other way is there to separate the case from the compressor in-order to replace the large front and back o-rings? There is a special tool for that operation. In addition, there is another special tool for removing the clutch which looks better than using a three arm puller.

I'd use a dull punch and a hammer and if the clutch has tapped holes in the front, I'd just make a puller. Done it before, you drill holes in a piece of plate that line up with the holes in the clutch get screws to go through and thread into the clutch. Drill a hole in the center a bolt through the hole with a nut. Hold the nut tighten the bolt and the plate pulls the clutch off. Push comes to shove I can show you how to make suitable press for dirt cheap without any tools involved. Biab.

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[texasmike]

I am no A/C expert, but PAG oil is recommended and used in many OEM A/C systems because of its excellent lubricating properties. It may not be the optimum choice for retrofit of an old system, but it should work fine if the system is cleaned and evacuated properly.

Ester is usually better if you are doing a quick retrofit and don’t want to spend so much time cleaning out the system. In this case I would probably use whatever oil was recommended by the compressor manufacturer, carefully flush the evaporator, condenser and lines, and replace the filter/drier, expansion valve, and all o-rings.

The system has had 143a and FIVE (5) of those crap SMP R4 compressors. This is A NOS GM compressor that was designed for mineral oil and R12. The PAG oil that was substituted to work with 143a obviously reacted with the original old rubber parts inside the compressor to cause the slow leaking.

 

[JBswth]

Don’t know of any shop, but the oil should have been replaced with Ester oil. PAG is a corrosive and will take out O-rings as well as evaporators in older R-12 systems. I believe it is the shop’s bad IMHO

I would switch to an A6 compressor. The R4 is well known to be a lousy unit.

J. B.

 

[Finkaire]

I would switch to an A6 compressor. The R4 is well known to be a lousy unit.

J. B.

4 lb’s of R-12, that’s what I’m running in the Elco. Hella compressor!

 

[AuroraGirl]

I recently had my auto repair shop install a NOS Harrison GM R4 compressor. They also replaced the evaporator, accumulator, orifice and also removed the condenser to make it easier to thoroughly flush it. Judging from the compressor part number (12328615) I figure it has been in the box and on the shelf for around 30 years. PAG oil was substituted and the system was charged with 134a. Seven weeks later, the compressor is still cooling well but has started leaking at the shaft seal and case o-ring. This is something that i suspected may happen as a result of age and changing out the original mineral oil. My problem now is that I don't believe my repair shop is really interested in attempting to replace the seal and case o-rings along with guaranteeing the work. I have already purchased the kit and special seal installation tool to complete the repair.
Since I do not have access to a hydraulic press or the two special tools required to properly complete the work, do any of you guys/gals know anyone or a shop in the Houston area that would attempt the repair? Are there any other options?
As always, thanks for any help. I am hell bent on keeping this system original and have spent a lot of $ and time trying to do so.

new compressors come with oil in it

Did you flush the compressor itself out ?

Id use this opportunity to ditch the r4

 

[texasmike]

I would switch to an A6 compressor. The R4 is well known to be a lousy unit.

J. B.

From the information I have gathered over the years, I believe the original Harrison GM R4 was a good and reliable unit as long as it wasn't worn out. That is why I looked around and found a NOS R4 on Ebay and I'm going to stay with it. Once I get all of the rubber parts replaced, I believe (hope), that will be the end of my compressor worries.

 

[texasmike]

new compressors come with oil in it

Did you flush the compressor itself out ?

Id use this opportunity to ditch the r4

Of course, this is a NOS R4 with mineral oil and made for R12. 134a requires PAG oil so the whole system was thoroughly flushed and the orifice tube, accumulator and evaporator were replaced.