A/C compressor leak

[CooperJohn]

A few weeks ago I noticed an accumulation of yellowish looking oil on the bottom of the A/C compressor. I think its been leaking for awhile as the A/C now isn't cold but cool so it's probably leaking the refrigerant as well. The leak appears to be right where the 2 halves of the compressor case meet where there's a thin slot. I guess there's some kind of gasket or seal that's failing. Questions: Can I try some of the stop leak products and 134A refill cans to attempt a fix or are they snake oil products that will do more harm than good? Has anybody used these with success on this type of leak and if so which product worked for you? The vehicle is a 2008 Ram 2500 6.7 cummins. Thanks in advance!

 

[DavidC]

Do not use a stop leak. If you do you may wind up changing every component from the build up. Stick to replacing the defective component

 

[crabman]

^^^^^^^^
DavidC is correct.
Find the problem and fix it correctly using the best parts. Yell & scream about the $ and time. Then forget it!

 

[sag2]

AC stop leak ruins the entire system. It should only be used just before you sell it if you have no morals.

 

[CooperJohn]

Thanks for the replies. Well then, I'm off to the evil dealership to find out what they want to charge me to fix it. I don't really have the time or inclination to take on this project right now and it's starting to get warm here. I'm thinking it will need a new compressor since they probably won't want to deal with replacing an internal o-ring on the old one. Everything still works except it's not getting as cold as it should so the compressor hasn't imploded filling the system with metal. Hopefully it will be a compressor replacement and recharge only. We'll see?

 

[Motorhead]

I think what you are seeing is coming from the AC compressor-pressure relief valve. Dodge did a dumb thing mounting the compressor at the lowest point of the engine. The compressor when turned on for the first time of the day is usually hydrolocked by oil and refrigerant and so when it gets turned on, the relief valve squirts out the over pressured refrigerant and oil mixture. When I turn my AC on for the first time of the day, I try to do so at idle. If you hear the thump when first turning on your AC, it is because the compressor id hydrolocked for the first few seconds. There should have been an accumulator put in before the compressor to hold the liquid from the compressor.

 

[1 Bad Dream]

I think what you are seeing is coming from the AC compressor-pressure relief valve. Dodge did a dumb thing mounting the compressor at the lowest point of the engine. The compressor when turned on for the first time of the day is usually hydrolocked by oil and refrigerant and so when it gets turned on, the relief valve squirts out the over pressured refrigerant and oil mixture. When I turn my AC on for the first time of the day, I try to do so at idle. If you hear the thump when first turning on your AC, it is because the compressor id hydrolocked for the first few seconds. There should have been an accumulator put in before the compressor to hold the liquid from the compressor.

Just had my compressor & accumulator replaced by a local shop. I also had them throw in a new fuel filter while they had it. Now it seems like I am hearing the thump you ate describing. It doesn't happen every time I start it but it usually happens a few seconds after started. Today I heard it again and backed out of my driveway then after pulling forward about 15 feet heard it again. I got nervous and stopped to find a big trail of water on the ground.
I know there is condensation that builds up but I hadn't driven it all day and it was only running for about 30 seconds. I never had this thump or clunking sound before. Couldn't find any leaks anywhere. Should I be nervous about this?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Both my truck and my buddy's 06 have been clunking like that since new. I've actually looked around to see if someone has hit me!
It's totally normal for these trucks.

 

[Motorhead]

The "clunking", if heard from the engine compartment, is the compressor starting to spin but is temporarily Hydro Locked. Several years ago, I switched my truck over to Dura-Cool non HFC refrigerant and the issue stopped because the Dura cool works with LESS liquid volume than R-134A. I get 42*F out of my center vent.

 

[1 Bad Dream]

I have my 07 6.7 for 5 years now and never had that issue or noise before the compressor and accumulator were replaced. I got them from the dealer so I know they are factory parts. Just makes me nervous. Im about to drive it across the country and dont want to have issues. I have noticed a lot of water coming from a drain tube that comes out of the firewall behind the accumulator.

 

[Motorhead]

You getting a lot of drainage water just tells me, 1) Your AC is working well because water drainage is the condensation draining from the AC evaporator. 2) You live in a humid area and your AC is working well and the water drainage is from condensation on a good and COLD AC evaporator.
Some may debate this as to whether it helps get more life out of your AC compressor, BUT I try to never turn the AC on for the FIRST time of a drive unless the engine is at idle. This is just in case there is any liquid refrigerant in the compressor from sitting.