A/C question new install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Celticclark · 08-10-2024, 07:15 PM

2010 SS
I replaced the compressor, condenser, (AC Delco) shrader valves, cleaned out the lines etc. This is my 1st time doing a complete A/C job. I was surprised that there was only 1green o ring and the rest were the washer style. Anyway, the vacuum pump test failed, so I have a leak.
I tried putting 35lbs of compressed air in and sprayed around with soapy water and found nothing. Should I just charge it some with R34 with dye to find the issue?

acutron42 · 08-10-2024, 07:50 PM

Did you buy the install kit & replace all the seals?

FasNuf · 08-10-2024, 08:09 PM

....the vacuum pump test failed, so I have a leak.

How did you test this?

acutron42 · 08-10-2024, 08:25 PM

You pretty much answered your own question. You have a leak & compressed air is much different that vacuum. As FasNuf posted, how did check it?

Celticclark · 08-11-2024, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acutron42

Did you buy the install kit & replace all the seals?

Yes sir, also the expansion valve ones.

Celticclark · 08-11-2024, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acutron42

You pretty much answered your own question. You have a leak & compressed air is much different that vacuum. As FasNuf posted, how did check it?

I checked it with a vacuum pump and verified it was working.

Celticclark · 08-11-2024, 09:09 PM

So UV dye splatter near the compressor connection. Is it possible to over-tighten the single 10 mill bolt there? There's barely enough room to get a small wrench on it so I got it as tight as I could.

InFiD3ViL · 08-11-2024, 11:29 PM

I had this same issue after I replaced my compressor - chasing leaks until I recently got it fixed, I think. I recommend replacing every single seal you have access to. They are all fairly easy to get to. Also, most of these compressors require you to hold the compressor up vertically oriented and spin the compressor wheel manually a few times to lube the front seal. If not done this can also cause a leak. I also changed my service port valves.

acutron42 · 08-12-2024, 04:42 AM

Glad you found the leak. I got this from Alldata regarding the compressor.

Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Balancing

Draining Procedure

Note:
Drain and measure as much of the refrigerant oil as possible from the rear head ports of the REMOVED compressor.

1. Drain the refrigerant oil from the crankcase and rear head ports into a clean, graduated container.

2. Rotate the compressor shaft to assist in draining the compressor.

3. Measure and record the amount of oil drained from the removed compressor.

This measurement will be used during installation of the replacement compressor.

4. Inspect oil drained from removed compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis See: Heating and Air Conditioning > Component Tests and General Diagnostics > Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis.

5. Properly discard the used refrigerant oil.

6. Clean the graduated cylinder.

Note:
Drain and measure as much of the refrigerant oil as possible from the rear head ports of the NEW compressor.

7. Drain bolt and drain the refrigerant oil from the crankcase and rear head ports into a clean, graduated container.

8. Rotate the compressor shaft to assist in draining the compressor.

Balancing Procedure

Note:
The refrigerant oil in the A/C system must be balanced during compressor replacement.

The replacement compressor is shipped with 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz) of refrigerant oil.

1. Refer to the amount of refrigerant oil recorded during the compressor removal.

2. If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is less than or equal to 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add 75 ml of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port.

3. If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is greater than 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add the equivalent amount of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port.

4. Rotate the clutch driver three times to lubricate the internal compressor components.

Celticclark · 08-19-2024, 03:01 PM

Update: Oddly, it turns out that the bolt that connects to the compressor lines had bottomed out. I made sure that the compressor had the same numbers so I am not sure why that happened. I added a spacer and all is well now, holding pressure and cold air!

08-10-2024, 07:15 PM	#1
Celticclark Drives: 2010 CamaroSS 1954Belair 28 Model A Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Sand Springs Posts: 36 View My Garage	A/C question new install 2010 SS I replaced the compressor, condenser, (AC Delco) shrader valves, cleaned out the lines etc. This is my 1st time doing a complete A/C job. I was surprised that there was only 1green o ring and the rest were the washer style. Anyway, the vacuum pump test failed, so I have a leak. I tried putting 35lbs of compressed air in and sprayed around with soapy water and found nothing. Should I just charge it some with R34 with dye to find the issue?

08-10-2024, 07:50 PM	#2
acutron42 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: WNY Posts: 778	Did you buy the install kit & replace all the seals? __________________ 2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.

08-10-2024, 08:09 PM	#3
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,657 View My Garage	....the vacuum pump test failed, so I have a leak. How did you test this? __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

08-10-2024, 08:25 PM	#4
acutron42 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: WNY Posts: 778	You pretty much answered your own question. You have a leak & compressed air is much different that vacuum. As FasNuf posted, how did check it? __________________ 2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.

08-11-2024, 11:29 PM	#8
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,616	I had this same issue after I replaced my compressor - chasing leaks until I recently got it fixed, I think. I recommend replacing every single seal you have access to. They are all fairly easy to get to. Also, most of these compressors require you to hold the compressor up vertically oriented and spin the compressor wheel manually a few times to lube the front seal. If not done this can also cause a leak. I also changed my service port valves. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI Last edited by InFiD3ViL; 08-12-2024 at 12:09 AM.

08-11-2024, 09:09 PM	#7
Celticclark Drives: 2010 CamaroSS 1954Belair 28 Model A Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Sand Springs Posts: 36 View My Garage	So UV dye splatter near the compressor connection. Is it possible to over-tighten the single 10 mill bolt there? There's barely enough room to get a small wrench on it so I got it as tight as I could.

08-12-2024, 04:42 AM	#9
acutron42 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: WNY Posts: 778	Glad you found the leak. I got this from Alldata regarding the compressor. Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Balancing Draining Procedure Note: Drain and measure as much of the refrigerant oil as possible from the rear head ports of the REMOVED compressor. 1. Drain the refrigerant oil from the crankcase and rear head ports into a clean, graduated container. 2. Rotate the compressor shaft to assist in draining the compressor. 3. Measure and record the amount of oil drained from the removed compressor. This measurement will be used during installation of the replacement compressor. 4. Inspect oil drained from removed compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis See: Heating and Air Conditioning > Component Tests and General Diagnostics > Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Diagnosis. 5. Properly discard the used refrigerant oil. 6. Clean the graduated cylinder. Note: Drain and measure as much of the refrigerant oil as possible from the rear head ports of the NEW compressor. 7. Drain bolt and drain the refrigerant oil from the crankcase and rear head ports into a clean, graduated container. 8. Rotate the compressor shaft to assist in draining the compressor. Balancing Procedure Note: The refrigerant oil in the A/C system must be balanced during compressor replacement. The replacement compressor is shipped with 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz) of refrigerant oil. 1. Refer to the amount of refrigerant oil recorded during the compressor removal. 2. If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is less than or equal to 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add 75 ml of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port. 3. If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is greater than 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add the equivalent amount of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port. 4. Rotate the clutch driver three times to lubricate the internal compressor components. __________________ 2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.

08-19-2024, 03:01 PM	#10
Celticclark Drives: 2010 CamaroSS 1954Belair 28 Model A Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Sand Springs Posts: 36 View My Garage	Update: Oddly, it turns out that the bolt that connects to the compressor lines had bottomed out. I made sure that the compressor had the same numbers so I am not sure why that happened. I added a spacer and all is well now, holding pressure and cold air!