A/C Compressor
 

My A/C compressor (axial log type) has been leaking oil out the shaft seal for about 4 years now. I have to top off the oil and refrigerant (r134) every summer. I'm to the point that I just want to buy a new compressor now. LMC Truck sells them for around $320 or I can get one from GM for $420. Anybody have experience with the LMC compressors or have a recommendation for a forum vendor who may sell one?

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Are the LMC ones remans or are they new aftermarket? I'd rather have a reman for something like that, or the new OE. Usually you can get remans from the dealers as well, saves a few $$.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

With compressors, I always go new. Rebuilds can last but in Texas heat, they don't last as long.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I bought a reman from Oreily's 3yrs ago when I switched to r134a and it's still going strong....

Re: A/C Compressor
 

The problem is those old ones weren't built with R134a in mind. It's a smaller molecule and it requires tighter clearances to keep it in. Also, I had a brand new one of those compressors that slung oil..and that's with R12. Every truck I've seen with the log style compressor has that oil streak on the underside of the hood.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I've bought from an auto parts store and from the dealer. I've had better luck with the new dealer pump, if you know the GM part number you can check prices www.gmpartsdirect.com. You can also check at www.rockauto.com. I've ordered from both places and they have good prices and customer service.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

All old style axial compressors I have had on my square bodies threw oil. My current one appears to be OEM Frigidare and is still working and not throwing a lot of oil - converted to 134A. When that current compressor finally dies, I am going to buy a replacement style. My local AC shop installed one just recently, so he does not know about long term durability, but he said it matched up with the pulleys and plugs corrrectly.
They call it an S6 compressor. I will look for a good internet price.
http://www.s6compressor.com/products.html

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I just bought a remanned A6 compressor from OReilly's for $120.00. A new one was $400.00 with the same waranty.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Thanks for all the input guys. I've got hoses and and a vacuum pump, so I'm going to charge the system myself. With this capability, I may just try a cheap reman. If it dies in a year, its not too hard (or expensive) to replace it and recharge.

This leads to another question. I've been looking at upgrading to a serpentine system from a 90"s camaro or similar. Would this be better with the radial style compressor for 134a?

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I honestly don't think it matters. The only benefit would be that the new axials are around the same price as a remanned A-6. If you convert to Serpentine you have have to get a water pump that rotates backwards form the one with the v-belts.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Search the web for a pro6ten . A sanden compressor designed to run on 134 and is suppose to be a bolt on replacement for the A-6.I am looking in to one if I can find a condensor for 134 that will fit my truck . I would like to replace both at the same time. Less than $400.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

This is an old thread, but the closest to the topic I could find.

When you buy a reman compressor these days, it comes with oil in it (how much I don't know, but it sprayed when I took the plug out of the back to install the lines).

How would I know whether that oil is compatible with R-134a though?

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Yes it's compatible.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

A/C oil is hygroscopic. The compressor has been on the shelf for several weeks at best.
I usually drain and refill with a known pedigree fresh and dry oil.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Every new compressor I've picked up was vacuum sealed, when I pulled the line caps it sucked air in. I seem to remember big labels saying "YOU MUST ADD OIL" on them though. I would at least drain it to see how much is in there.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Hey, who's our contact for Vintage Air?? I received some $$$ for my birthday yesterday! I was thinking of spending the cash on a new Saden compressor. San Antonio is less than 1 hour drive to go get parts. I need a 508 with serpentine rear connection for straight bolt on.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I'm just untrusting when it comes to parts that'll cost me a bunch of time and aggravation to replace. :D

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Mine arrived under pressure, not vacuum. I know because it shot oil into my eyes when I uncapped it. The dryer was shipped under vacuum.

Anyway, I went out and pulled 29" of vacuum. A vacuum will pull any moisture (it lowers the boiling point well below room temp).

I did have a big "add oil" sticker, but there was some in it.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Yes they come with some in it, but not all. If it says add oil you'd better add oil.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

If you add oil to the compressor, go through the vacuum and charge proceedure, where does the oil go so it isn't sitting in the cylinders as a liquid not a vapor as the compressor is designed to pump?

You can't compress a liquid.

I always understood the accumulator gets the oil, then when freon is charged, it picks up the oil to lube the compressor.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

Oil charge is roughly 1/2 the recommended oil charge in the dryer and 1/2 in the compressor. The big heavy '70s Harrison A6 "log" has an oil sump drain and fill plug. The Sanden does as well. You don't add oil through the intake port on either.
The '80s Harrison R4 is a different animal.
All this info should be in the GM service manuals except the Sanden compressor.

Re: A/C Compressor
 

I always add the oil in one of the ports, haven't had any troubles with it. You do have to turn the compressor shaft a few times by hand after it's on to distribute the oil, so the oil doesn't make it lock up.