A/C Compressor 1988 Chevy 3500

Glenn F.

Member
I've been doing some overdue maintenance on my '88 Chevy. Turns out the A/C compressor has significant freon leaks. I see replacement options from $80.00 on up to $700+. What replacement compressor would you recommend?
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I wouldn't spend a bunch of money but 80 sounds a little cheap. It's been awhile since I replaced one of those "pancake" style compressors but I never saw any benefit from spending extra money on them. For no rhyme or reason it seems noise, leaks or overall less than satisfactory performance were quite common with that style compressor. It didn't seem to matter if it was a cheap reman, or new OEM.
 

I just did a 86 I could not find the correct AC Delco compressor that would fit SOOOOOOO as bad as I hatted it I got a new driveworks from Advance auto...

If you get the required parts that go along with the compressor replacement it has a life time warranty... The first thing you need to do is remove the expansion tube it it has contamination in it you will need new AC hoses, condenser, accumulator and flush the complete system...
 
Oh man i had a twin to your truck.but anyway ive repaired the a.c. units on a bunch of g.m. trucks like yours. First its a not a major choir you'll need to remove the grill to get to the orifice screen thank g.m. for that lol.id recomend a new compressor and receiver dryer also the hi side scrader fitting is prone to leak on those trucks but its replaceable. Any questions please ask i just done a 1994 worked out great.thanks and good luck
John
 
I have not replaced one of those seals in 30 years, but have the tools for it, not a bad job at all.
 
Hello Glenn F,

Even OEM quality is junk. You would be better off retrofitting with different style compressor. Or simply replace the seal,

Guido.
 

They are notorious for leaking around the outer shell I would not waist my time on the shaft seal... BTW they leaked from the factory :shock:

One thing I did learn from them if you install a new one and it rattles right out of the box its not going to live a long life don't mater who made it are where it came from...
 

Hello David G,

Yep! Like you, I have not used my seal replacing toll for many moons. AC refrigeration school class of '78,



Guido.
 
(quoted from post at 12:08:24 05/26/19) They are a two piece carbon seal.

"They are a two piece carbon seal."

Actually, by that era, they were a hard single lip (teflon, I believe) seal, and relatively EASY to replace, replace the O-ring that seals to the O-ring, lube with refrigeration oil and the new seal pops into place easily.

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Shaft seal is in center, white pieces are (IIRC) felt dust seals.
 
Go to amazon/ebay and check out the AC repair kits they have. I bought a new compressor, dryer and condenser for about $170 for an old Bronco along with a bunch of O rings (5 years ago). I basically installed everything and then had a shop leak test then recharge the system- worked great. With everything I was about $300 in for a mostly new system. Had I just paid the shop to do it all I was looking at over $1000.



Looking at it now the same kit runs about $300 for your year of Chevy.
 

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