[vigsom]

^^ In my view , you should seek a second opinion.

If the compressor seal is indeed the culprit,please go ahead and have it replaced.

That should be followed by a pressure test of the compressor at 250-300psig , then fitment of the compressor , a full system pressure and hold test at the same pressure , then a vacuum hold test at full vacuum for 30 mins before charging refrigerant.

It is strange to see a professional technician state that refrigerant could still leak out in a few days even after replacing the oil seal.Why would anyone then spend time and money on a seal replacement if the assurance of leak free performance is only for a few days?

[drpullockaran]

Originally Posted by vigsom

^^ In my view , you should seek a second opinion.

If the compressor seal is indeed the culprit,please go ahead and have it replaced.

Before you reassemble the unit with a new seal make sure that the rod that accepts the seal does not have score marks on it. If it does the gas is going to leak immediately. You will have to smoothen it out at the lathe. Once smoothed out the leak will be sorted out. If there is compressor wine then its best to get a new unit.

[lancer_gypsy]

Originally Posted by vigsom

That should be followed by a pressure test of the compressor at 250-300psig , then fitment of the compressor , a full system pressure and hold test at the same pressure , then a vacuum hold test at full vacuum for 30 mins before charging refrigerant.

Originally Posted by drpullockaran

Before you reassemble the unit with a new seal make sure that the rod that accepts the seal does not have score marks on it. If it does the gas is going to leak immediately. You will have to smoothen it out at the lathe. Once smoothed out the leak will be sorted out. If there is compressor wine then its best to get a new unit.

Thank you vigsom and drpullockaran! I'll take both of these feedback when I leave it for repair and ensure it's correctly done.

The gas does not currently leak immediately, it takes about 6 weeks. The cooling can be felt to reduce gradually. Also there is no whine in the compressor.

Tobias of Wecool says it doesn't show any leak when the a/c is off; he says the compressor leaks the gas only when it's running. But still he's not prepared to give any assurance on how long a replaced seal will hold. Is it possible that he's not sure about the leak being from a worn out seal on the compressor?

Is there any other place the gas could leak from, which doesn't show up in a standstill test? Like is there some pipe or valve that could leak only when subjected to driving vibrations? Can this be simulated in a parked position?

[sgiitk]

Folks, vigsom had done a major job on his Corolla aircon some years back. It involved replacing the seals etc. towards the end. You can probably fish out the thread with pictures, and a detailed account on this forum.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by lancer_gypsy

Tobias of Wecool says the compressor leaks the gas only when it's running?

The same logic was given by my a.c. technician when I did up my Corolla.

A good seal on a scoring marks free compressor shaft should be good enough.That is , if the seal is indeed leaking.

Other potential leak points are the refrigerant pressure switch and the condenser.However no drop in pressure during a hold test means all is well.

[lancer_gypsy]

Originally Posted by vigsom

The same logic was given by my a.c. technician when I did up my Corolla.

A good seal on a scoring marks free compressor shaft should be good enough.That is , if the seal is indeed leaking.

Other potential leak points are the refrigerant pressure switch and the condenser.However no drop in pressure during a hold test means all is well.

Thanks Vigsom! I'll have the seal replaced, with checking the shaft and also hold and vacuum pressure; will update this thread.

[drpullockaran]

Originally Posted by lancer_gypsy

Thanks Vigsom! I'll have the seal replaced, with checking the shaft and also hold and vacuum pressure; will update this thread.

When will you update the thread? I am waiting.

[lancer_gypsy]

I got the compressor replaced, as Tobias of wecool advised that replacing seal has a very low chance of success. Compressor costed 19.5k. Work was 3.5k.

[SpaceJunk]

Since this forum is so detailed on aircon, I have a small query. Whats the kind of vent temperature that you people have noted? I run a 2016 Baleno CVT and my readings are about 10°C on the vent during 32°C outside temperatures and about 8°C after sunset. Is this normal?

I have a feeling that my car ac was performing much better earlier & the performance had gone down lately. For this reason I got a digital temp reader and had made these observations..

[sarbagna]

Originally Posted by SpaceJunk

Since this forum is so detailed on aircon, I have a small query. Whats the kind of vent temperature that you people have noted? I run a 2016 Baleno CVT and my readings are about 10°C on the vent during 32°C outside temperatures and about 8°C after sunset. Is this normal?

I have a feeling that my car ac was performing much better earlier & the performance had gone down lately. For this reason I got a digital temp reader and had made these observations..

There is a discussion on this topic itself. You may find it useful: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...mperature.html (CAR AC Vent Temperature ?)