A/C Compressor: Does yours leak oil?

[Ron in SC]

Check the bottom of you A/C compressor and see if it has refrigerant oil on it. Mine did, so I cleaned it with brake cleaner and will monitor it closely to see if I can tell where the leak originates. I suspect it’s the upper control valve which is actually on the bottom of the compressor. See the photo below.

The valve has 3 o-rings on it and is held in by a snap ring which you can see in the photo. It seems like a likely place for a leak to develop. I think it can be removed with the compressor installed in the vehicle; of course you will need to evacuate the system first.

I noticed the oil on the compressor when I was inspecting the underside of the vehicle when I changed the oil. My A/C works fine but it must have lost a little R134a and I want to fix this problem so my compressor will last as long as possible.

I happened to check the price of a compressor and was told no remanufactured compressors are available for the one in the ML which is a Denso 7SB16C. A new one is about $1000. Hopefully a remanufactured unit could be found somewhere.

Worst case would have the A/C compressor seize and have that wonderful serpentine belt will travel over the pulley on the A/C clutch which will not be moving. That may very well equal shredded belt. Which means your stranded.