I noticed a light film of oil on the underside of my hood just above the pulley on the AC Compressor. Can anyone explain the cause / probable outcome of this? I'm guessing it is not normal. I had not replaced the hood insulation so, it was easy to see after driving awhile. The AC is working / cooling OK. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

It's the front seal on the compressor, mine did it for several years before it finally went bad.

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79 Z28 Bought new, honeymoon ride, same wife, same car.

I just got my 81 a/c going. Had the same thing. I bought a new compressor from autozone $105 with the clutch. End of problem. However the pulley was slightly smaller(dia)and I had to get a new belt 1 inch shorter.Otherwise I was maxed out on the travel for tightening the belt. They listed another compressor for it. It was $150, perhaps it had the right size pulley. It was not in stock so I wasn't able to compare. Anyhow it works great and no oil spray. Let me know if you need part numbers.

sure sounds like a refrigerant leak .. only... refrigerant is heavier than air. Unless the fan and pulley/belt action is throwing it up on the hood... Anyway, you should have the system checked for leaks and thats about it.

A certain amount of oil leakage at the front seal is normal. Over time, you will see a fine line on the hood and inner fender. If it's throwing a lot of oil, you can have the seal replaced and some compressor oil added to one of the ports.

Over the last few years my compressor has started to show it's age by throwing a bit more oil than before. Had the shop add some more oil a couple years back, still running fine, but hwo knows how much longer.

John

I would agree with 79ZED- all AC compressors will let a bit of oil out- even the GM service manuals classify this as a normal event. As mentioned if it really starts to spew oil suddenly perhaps it's time for a new compressor- but buying one before it's really necessary doesn't save you anything- the worst thing that will happen if all the oil is lost is the compressor will seize and throw the belt- so why spend alot of money now when this unit may last for another 5-10 years?

I'm with Eric and 79ZED on this one.

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Gordon

1979 Camaro Berlinetta

Thanks guys. I will leave it alone for now. BTW, if the AC system has to be opened, are most 2nd gen owners switching to R-134 vs the old R-12?

I have done my own R-12 -> R134a change overs a couple of times- always becuase the old stuff had slowly leaked out (and/or I let out the last remnants of the R-12 that was left) and I needed a cheap way to refill without actually repairing the system properly. Couple of fittings, a can, a hose and 1/2 an hour of my time and it was blowing cold again.

Doing it right requires replacing the dessicant bottle (dryer), drawing the whole system down under vacuum for a while and then refilling with R-134a and probably some more oil as well. Stuff you'd go to a professional shop for unless you had the right equipment.

Not sure if you noticed, but this post is 4 years old.

It is an A6, front seal is leaking.
It is repairable on the car.