I have a 99 Durango with the 5.7L V8 @ 145k mi. I hadn't driven it in several months until today. The A/C wasn't cooling. Compressor was on and running. I got it home and checked refrigerant and found it to be low, so I charged it. It was 100* here when I charged it, so I charged it up with two cans only, which brought it up to about 52 psi on low side.

However, after I did this, I noticed there was a leak in the compressor along what appeared to be a seal near the back of the compressor, at about the 4:00 position. I assume this to be the source of my refrigerant leak that caused the low refrigerant in the first place.

My question is -- should this be something that is repairable (replacing seals and/or tightening, etc.) or does this signal that the compressor likely needs replacement?

Or is more information required?

Thanks for any/all help.

 

Try JB Weld. That's a lot cheaper than a new compressor until it blows up.

And your title is incorrect for your engine. It isn't a 5.7. It is either a 5.2 or a 5.9.

IndyD

 

52psi on the low side is too high. You need to be around 30 to 40psi MAX. You should also look into getting the compressor changed out if it is leaking on the back side. By the way, that seal on the back side is a blow off valve that will blow out excess freon caused from overfilling and once it blows out, the compressor needs to be changed.

 

How did you know it was low?
As autopete said 52 is to high on the low side.
I also suspect that if the compressor was running then it could not have been 2 lbs low.

 

Didn't know that.

Ignore my suggestion to seal it up!

Disclaimer: All forum ideas are subject to the trash can, use at your own risk and come with absolutely no warranty implied or consented.

IndyD

 

No problem Indy. The blow off valve on the rear of the compressors are like a safety valve that releases excessive pressure caused by overcharging which in turn causes higher head pressures on the high side and that is why they tend to release before the hoses can blow out.

 

Heh... Heh... Heh... He said hoses and blow.. Hehehehe...

 

lmfao dan are you reverting to being a kid?

 

Na. Just forgetting he is a big time mod now and no longer able to have any fun.

No mod 4 u elsewhere! We can't even get u to show up at events!

j/k

 

lol i want to show up at events, but keeping the tuition check coming is a little bit more important at this point in my life