AC Compressors

[karl]

Ive noticed that the AC compressors are always grimey looking. Any reason why these attract so much crap? I imagine the dirt gets into the pulley bearings and ruins them. Any good way to clean these without removing?

[CaliDude76]

Originally Posted by karl

Ive noticed that the AC compressors are always grimey looking. Any reason why these attract so much crap? I imagine the dirt gets into the pulley bearings and ruins them. Any good way to clean these without removing?

I usually pressure wash out my engine bay every so often.. not blast it too hard, but enough to spray the grime away..

that's what I do.. It helps

[coolair]

Most compressor will leak slightly as they get older and sometimes even when new. The AC system operates @ a high pressure and as the compressor gets older and the seals/gaskets deteriorate, the refrigerant which is mixed with oil will slowly leak out - esspecially at the front seal as it is a slip seal and not a positive seal such as a gasket or o-ring. The oil that leaks out will attract dirt and dust, just like any oil leak will.

The front clutch bearing is normally if not all the time a sealed bearing and they sometimes will loose a little grease, which will also attract dirt.

So bottom line is all you can do is keep cleaning your compressor when you detail your engine compartment.

[karl]

Thanks, i would rather maintain these expensive parts than to replace then more often. Those clutch bearings seem to be the 1st thing to go. And i thought it might be from all the crap that gathers around it.