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Greasy dirt on inside of Hood above Alt./AC Compressor???

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Black Ice

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Greasy dirt on inside of Hood above Alt./AC Compressor on 1996 LT1??

I cleand and repainted the hood inside a month ago now I got this schmootz all over the area above the alternator. The Alternator and compressor look clean? I cleaned a layer of it off before I painted. Any idea where its coming from?? This is a 1996 LT1.
 
It is quite possible the the seal on the front of the compressor is leaking oil out onto the belt causing the problem you suggest.
 
That is usualy a compressor leak, but it should be over the compressor and not the alternator.

tom...
 
Well I took a Real good look at it now and I cant find any oily residue around the front or back of the AC compressor. Where the oily residue is, the large belt pully just down from the alternator twords the center of the engine. The belt groove had a sticky black slightly oily gue in it. I have no idea where its coming from. I cleaned the pully with Fantastik now the channel is bright and shiny. Could this be just from the belt wearing? I did also have it to the Dealer to replace the MAF a few weeks ago maybe they dumped something on the pully.
 
Compressor discharge is oily. Alt discharge is powder. If you have about 60/70K miles on the original A/C unit, expect it to fail soon. That's about a long as they last.
I see added information instead of a slap in the face. Or I, "musta missed sumpin'?"
 
nyernga said:



ps: check the spelling on centrifugal and extricate by the way
And who taught you how to spell?

Now You Are In Georgia:duh
 
Check your water pump...

I had the same crap on the underside of my hood (as well as other places in line with the belt). The water found it's way to the belt then it was thrown off at the turn. The leak was very slow but effective non-the-less for crap slinging.

My 2 cents
 
Oh thats interesting indeed. Now that the pully is clean im going to watch it like a hawk for goo again.
 
I get the same thing, it's coming from the ac compressor. My compressor actually has locked up a couple of time (even smoking), so I assume that it's on its way out. Does anybody know if the whole compressor needs to be replaced or just the bearings and such?

Eric
 
My understanding is that the oily residue is normal. In fact some of the after market suppliers make a plate to stop the oil from going everywhere. I could be wrong.
 
tom_85_vet said:
My understanding is that the oily residue is normal....

Normal? well, if 'normal' means most C4's do it, then yes, it is normal... however, they really shouldn't do it... Just because the A/C is spraying some oil doesn't mean it is on its way out though... I have put 50k on A/C compressors doing that with no problems... I am sure the A/C was fine for many more miles too (sold that vette)
 
Guys....

The a/c system is supposed to be a CLOSED system. This means there is to be no leaks. If there is oil leaking out of the compressor and leaving streaks of oil that attracts dust and dirt under the hood...then there is a problem. If caught soon enough all you need to do is remove the compressor and replace the seal behind the clutch. And it is also a good time to replace the clutch as well.
Word of caution...the EPA is dead set against ANYONE opening a system and venting to the outside air. The fines can be upwards of 25,000.00 per incident. (go to www.epa.gov) Take your car to the dealer or any certified a/c specialist and have the system exavuated. Then remove the compressor and have the work done. Replace the compressor and have the shop pull a vacuum at 30 lbs for one hour. If there is no leak then recharge the system making sure part of the charge is a leak detector. Most of them today are seen under ultraviolet light. Now for all the nay sayers please go to the epa web site and read up on the rules....or go to epa test and take the test and become certified and lean how to do this properly. Remember if caught doing it wrong you could be fined up to 25,000.00 and possible jail time. Personally I would rather save the 25k to work on my vette, or buy a new one..
 
Oh I see that Ecklers makes an "oil splatter shield" for C4 AC units. Must be somewhat normal then for sure.
 
That's sounds like the same crud that appeared when my AC clutch took a dive. The ooze looks more like melted plastic with a greasy surface? I also noticed it on the fenderwell. It smelled like melted electrical insulation. It turned out to be the insulation around the clutch stator (Electrical coil) and the rubber bonding on the clutch face. Hope this helps, but it was not a good sign for me. Lots of luck.
 
Answer to HOWSER

Change the, "Unit Complete." Don't waste your time with a rebuild swap or repairing yours. The old, "penny foolish"(?) scheme is something to stay away from! Make sure you take it to a shop that specialize in cooling systems. They know all the tricks. They usually have OEM new compressors in a box. They know what to look for, and on and on.
Want to know where one is in your area? Call the GM dealer, and ask who they use to send out their A/C work? Usually they find the best jobber for this, because of the all important... CSI.
 
Just a girl's thoughts here....

I just went out and really looked at 78 under her hood. I knew she had a dirty spot under her hood and I wanted to see exactly where it was and if my theory would pan out.
I think it does.

The dirty spot appears to be in a narrow spray pattern, to the passenger side of the hood, behind the fan and above or slightly in front of the AC pump (I don't know what you call it off hand, while this idea is running through my head).

78 was repainted approx. 2 years ago. I have used the AC approx. 3 times within that time frame, so I am certain the 'dirty spot' is NOT from the AC.

Now, for my theory...
Since 78 is driven daily, in all kinds of weather and on all kinds of roads, my theory lies in the fact that the fan blades turn counter clock-wise and would fling 'stuff' up onto that side of the hood, and I believe that caused MY dirty spot under the hood. The dirty spot does not go across the entire hood behind the fan because when you get to the driver side of the fan, the blades would fling stuff down.

Am I waaaayyyy out in left field?
Silver
 
Thats exactly what I have. Its like a 3/4 inch wide and 5 inch long spot. I have no goo whatsoever on or near the compressor itself.
 

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