Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 1:53 AM

Year: 1998
Make: Buick
Model: Century
Engine Size: 3.1L V6
Refrigerant Type: R134a

I recently replaced the Delphi V5 compressor shaft seal and case orings (belly rings) in my 1998 Buick Century.
Note, the compressor ran pretty good (quiet) and had cool air for a number of years. But, it started losing refrigerant last year.
I put a bit of dye in the refrig and I was pretty sure the compressor front shaft seal was leaking.
Regarding the V5's body/belly o-rings, I thought it would be a good idea to replace these while compressor was out
this was just how I did the repair...and some pics I thought might help other that are thinking of fixing their V5 compressor...
I am sure I made some mistakes and there are likely better ways to do some things...


This was my parts list (with ackits part #s):
--------------------------------------------------------
SHAFT SEAL KIT V5 HR6 HT6 DOUBLE LIP SEAL (ackits part # 21-34659 ) $9.68
GM Ceramic Seal Set Removal - Installer (ackits part 90486) $20.88
GM Seal Protector (ackits part # 90484) $5.12
P125-8TSI - DEC PAG - Blue (8 Ounce Bottle) $8.94
Nylog (Blue) Gasket Thread Sealant (ackits part # RT201B) - $9.49
Accumulator - Drier (ackits part # 37-23404) - Price: $19.42
1989-2005 General Motors System O-ring Kit (ackits # CP3010) $11.22
2005 & Prior - GM Sealing Washer Assortment (ackits # CP3016) $10.51
White Orifice Tube (ackits part # 31-50001 ) $1.27
GM Noise Buster V5 - Gasket Kit (ackits # 21-24683) $7.43
Total Cost of Order= $128 ($103 plus $25 shipping to NY)

Notes
(i) 'CP3010 - 1989-2005 General Motors System O-ring Kit' and the 'CP3016 - 2005 & Prior - GM Sealing Washer Assortment'.
This kit had all the o-rings/washers that I needed (and some extras).
(ii) '21-24683 - GM Noise Buster V5 -Gasket Kit' - this kit had V5 body case/belly o-rings.

Other purchases
(i) Snap Ring Pliers - Craftsman Qtr-Turn® Convertible Retaining Ring Pliers ($14) - Part Number on tool 47384
(ii) A/C Gauges ($42). Harbor Freight - Sale Price was $49 and used 20% off coupon
(iii) 2.5 CFM Vacuum Pump ($67). Harbor Freight - Sale Price was $79 and used 20% off coupon
(iv) A/C Clutch Puller & Installer- GM ($18) , NAPA - Part # NTE 783213 - $18? on sale (reg price was 24, I think)
(v) 4 12oz cans R134A ($32) - best price I saw was $6.99 at Kmart
(vi) can tap for R134A cans..$8? Autozone
(vii) chain ring vice grips $6 , Harbor Freight - sale price was 7.99 and used 20% off coupon
Total Cost = $187

** I know the Harbor Freight tools are not the best quality...ackits sells good quality A/C Gauges and Vacuum Pumps...**


Basic steps I followed
-----------------------------

1. remove compressor from car

2. compressor on workbench...
3. remove clutch
4. remove pulley
5. remove coil
6. remove shaft seal

7. disassemble compressor case
8. replace case orings
9. reassemble compressor case
10. replace shaft seal

11. install coil
12. install pulley
13. install clutch

14. add compressor oil in the intake port and rotate compressor
** v5 specs indicate system takes 8oz of compressor oil...though various components in the
a/c system retain some oil...(ie. accumulator, evaporator, condenser)
I did not drain and measure how much oil came out of the old compressor...
I did not drain and measure how much oil came out of the old accumulator...
..it is pretty hard to install the oil into the compressor while on car (I tried)

14. install compressor in car
remove old accumulator, install new (forgot to add compressor oil to accumulator)
14. vacuum system..via low pressure and high pressure ports...
15. add R134A via low side...
16. check pressures and a/c vent temperatures...


Pics to follow




Edited: Mon July 12, 2010 at 6:00 PM by Automotive Air Conditioning Information Moderator

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:47 AM

clutch removal pics

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:48 AM

pulley and coil removal pics

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:49 AM

shaft seal removal

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:52 AM

case disassembly

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:53 AM

case assembly

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 2:54 AM

shaft seal install

govan22 on Sun July 11, 2010 3:03 AM

For anyone that is thinking of repairing their V5 compressor...just like most repairs , first time you do it...is always the hardest...I feel I could do another
one now in half the time or less...

Could not have did this repair without the help of ackits.com and their parts and expertise/assistance...and all the guys here on the forum who answered my questions...
the Buick has been running for about 1 week or so..air is nice and cold and no apparent leaks (so far) !

GM Tech on Sun July 11, 2010 8:33 AM

Now you have stole my "best kept secret" I do those repairs in under 90 minutes--45 minutes minimum on the bench-- and make over $100 an hour by not replacing the compressor! If more mechanics would fix these, they would soon see that they can make much more of a profit by not buying a new compressor.. I can do the whole job for $250-- roughly the price of just the compressor-- and only have the cost of refrigerant and a seal or two.....I probably have done over a thousand H-6 and V-5 re-seals over 15 years

Now you need to do an H-6-- very similiar procedure- just an extra cylinder and o-ring.....

Good job documenting the above....

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

ryan212 on Sun July 11, 2010 1:13 PM

Great writeup, is the V7 used in the 1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird V8 similar?



Ryan

-------------------------
1998 Pontiac Trans AM M6 WS6 #370
2006 Pontiac GTO M6

govan22 on Mon July 12, 2010 5:34 PM

I know the V7 Compressor is similar to the V5..disassembly etc is likely the same or pretty close...I would check with ackits on shaft seals/case oring part numbers.
.
Learned a lot about air cond systems fixing the V5 and reading the info on the board.....I now have a decent understanding of all the
parts in the ac system...and understand why ac repairs can be very costly...and appreciate the ac system more and guys that fix these...

TRB on Mon July 12, 2010 5:59 PM

Very nicely done. I'm moving it to the tips forum.

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Mulder on Thu July 28, 2011 2:41 PM

Excellent Post!

Sorry for digging up an old post but this post related exactly to what I think I need to do.

I just purchased a 2000 Impala for my daughter, but the A/C doesn't work. He said that it was just serviced a couple of months ago but isn't working. I checked the receipt and saw that they had checked the system, evac and charge, and added dye. When we got home I put some gauges on it and found that the static pressure was very low, approx. 10lbs.

Checked for leaks with a light and the only leak that I could find was the clutch area of the compressor. I assume it's the shaft seal and according to the parts page the impala also has the harrison v5 compressor.

Do you think it is a good idea to just replace this seal since I didn't see any other leaks?

Is it possible to replace the seal without removing the compressor from the car?