Middle of winter A/C question????

[MY90GT]

Haven't driven the mustang for about the last 4-5 weeks. Been in the 10-20's.
Noticed today, that the A/C compressor is leaking oil, quite a bit. Started the car and and let it run, ran the AC and it cooled down fine (50's today) I replaced the compressor last summer and haven't had any problems with it. Suction and discharge pressure are good. WILL THEY LEAK IF YOU DON'T START AND RUN THEM IN THE WINTER????? I had always heard that when you run the defroster in the winter it will cycle the AC.

 

[jrichker]

Using the defroster does indeed run the A/C. It is a good idea to run the A/C or defroster once a week to keep things lubed up properly.

 

[MY90GT]

But, if you don't run it will it cause the "seals and or gaskets"
to leak. I've never seen one leak this much. A spot on the driveway
about the size of a basketball!!!!

 

[MY90GT]

It has a rebuilt compressor. Is it possible for the oil to leak
out, but not the freon? Could I have a bad compressor with
bad seals? It's leaking out the bottom end of the compressor
like where it was assembled, not at any of the fittings.

 

[jrichker]

It has a rebuilt compressor. Is it possible for the oil to leak
out, but not the freon? Could I have a bad compressor with
bad seals? It's leaking out the bottom end of the compressor
like where it was assembled, not at any of the fittings.

The gas pressure inside the compressor is what forces the oil out of any seal or seam that isn't perfect. When the oil stops leaking, that means there isn't any gas inside to force the oil out. The oil circulates throughout the A/C system, like a mist, so at any one time, some of it will be in the lines and not in the compressor.