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Last year, my A/C compressor started leaking gas from somewhere on the front seal. Recognising that by the time I stripped the seal, I would probably want to change the bearings etc. so I picked up a new Sanden compressor at a very good price.
Fast forward to now and I still haven't fitted the new compressor, but as you may have seen from my recent thread, my alternator recently failed. So because I'll be changing the alternator belt as part of the rebuild, it seems to make sense to get around to sorting out the A/C compressor and get the system regassed. And that's where my dilemma starts.
The car is down at my storage unit along with the new compressor and I want to purchase any parts before I head down there to swap over the compressors.
In fitting the new compressor, it seems false economy not to change the seals on the pipes connected to the compressor ( one to the evaporator and one to the condensor) and that's where I'm getting confused.
The Jaguar parts system shows that there are two seals on the back of the compressor.for early AJ6 cars to engine 9EPCLA-180716. Same part number - C35864. It SEEMS to imply that these seals don't exist on later AJ6 and AJ16 cars? Confusingly, my dealer definitely replaced these on the back of my old compressor with C35864 some years ago (even though I have an AJ16 car) and I have 3 spare seals left from the pack of 5 that was purchased.
However, on the diagram of the pipes themselves, it shows additional seals on each pipe with differing part numbers - KSG11416 on one pipe, and KRC1154 on the other pipe.
So my question is: Are there two seals for each pipe? One on the pipe itself and one in the compressor rear housing? And if so, why 2 seals? Or did the seals on the back of the compressor housing disappear at the compressor changepoint leaving just the seal on the pipe? And if so, how did my dealer fit those C35864 seals some years ago? Or is the parts system just incorrect? The parts systems seems quite conflicting for an AJ16 setup VIN 196xxx
I could answer the question if I travel to the storage unit and take my existing pipes off, but I'd really like to buy any new seals before I travel down there. I also want to put the new compressor straight on once I disconnect the pipes to minimise the amount of time the system is open to atmosphere.
If anyone has the definitive answer, I'd be really grateful.
So, a quick look in the garage and I've realised the new compressor is still here, waiting to go down to the car!
I've pulled off the clamp plate on the back and there are 2 nice new identical seals in the back. A quick rough visual measurement and they seem to be identical to the spare C35864 seals that I have.
That SEEMS to confirm one thing. That even if you have an AJ16 engine, it seems as if the rear compressor seals s/b C35864?
Now I still need to verify if there really are two differing part number seals also on the pipes? But if so, I'm not quite sure what they will be sealing against?
Now I still need to verify if there really are two differing part number seals also on the pipes? But if so, I'm not quite sure what they will be sealing against?
Can't help with the part numbers, but AC parts are remarkably standard across all makes and models of cars. Part number change could be as insignificant as a change in supplier.
The O rings will seal against the hoses, there is a metal block that the hose is part of and that is clamped to the back of the compressor.
I'm now ready to install the new Sanden SD7H15 today, but there are 2 minor differences on the new compressor:
The front armature and rotor is slightly different to my original and the usual XJS setup. Also the high pressure relief valve on the rear is slightly shorter.
SNG Barratt, from whom I bought the compressor have been unable to confirm if there is any issue in fitting it. So I just wondered if anyone here has any views as to whether these are just minor spec differences that are ok for my car?
one thing to consider,
there is a design flaw in the rear clamping plate for the two pipes, as in it only has the one bolt , while tightening this bolt puts pressure in the middle of the plate , and deflects it ( bends it inwards) this over time allows the seals to leak on the outside of the clamp as the plate isn't strong enough to apply equal pressure
a quick and reliable modification is to double up the backplate over the fittings, the bolt is long enough for this , and the extra thickness allows a very good uniform seal on the pipe connections preventing future failures in that area
Tks for that thought. You're right, I've just noticed my original plate has a slight deflection in the centre from being clamped through that centre bolt.
Annoyingly, the bolt on the new compressor back plate is way too short to allow for the fitment of my pipes so I'm going to have to swap over the original bolt. And because of your helpful suggestion, I've now decided to use both the original backplate and the new backplate to give that extra thickness. Great idea!
4 litre A/C Compressor Seals
