Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

govan22 on Sun July 05, 2015 6:35 PM

Year: 2001
Make: Buick
Model: Century
Engine Size: 3.1v6
Refrigerant Type: R134a

I am replacing the ac compressor shaft seal in 2001 Buick Century with a 3.1v6. This the the compressor shaft seal I removed. Note, the compressor shaft seal pulled out using my v5 ackits shaft seal removal tool.



The original seal rough measurements are
Outside Diameter= 1.033" (26.2mm)
Inside Diameter (top seal) = .565" (14.3mm)
Inside Diameter (bottom seal) = .545" (13.8mm)
Height = .365" (9.27mm)

Some more pics of the original seal








This the v5 compressor shaft seal I have used in the past and the one I was expecting to see




I saw this seal advertised as "...26mm x 11mm x 3mm Compressor Shaft Seal Oil Sealing Black for Buick V5.."


This seal states is an FJC 3561 and states "...Compressor Shaft Seal Kit Daiwoo V5, GM V5 & Some V7..."


This is an ACDelco 15-31231 seal "...A/C Compressor Shaft Seal Kit ACDelco GM Original Equipment 15-31231.."


The last v5 compressor shaft seal I bought from ackits was around $10.

Does anyone have more information about what shaft seals were used in v5 compressors ? Was the original seal I pulled, only used in certain v5 compressors ? Did some v5 compressors use different shaft seals ? Anyone know which ones ? Is an ACDelco 15-31231 seal the correct replacement seal ? I have saw prices for the ACDelco 15-31231 around $30-40 (and more) -why do prices appear so expensive for this seal ? I was hoping to get a new shaft seal for around $10 (like the other v5 shaft seals I used).

Thanks for any help

Edited: Sun July 05, 2015 at 6:38 PM by govan22

GM Tech on Sun July 05, 2015 9:43 PM

I worked in the V-5 compressor plant-- V-5s changed over to the universal "overmolded" shaft seal in early 2001 model yrl as opposed to using the double lip/o-ring design - the seal is already a double lip seal- so I am surprised you have a need to change it. The same seal is used in all the CVC applications.. there is no o-ring used and the front head has a solid wall for the sealing surface.

Just curious, is the compressor label blue (OEM) or orange (service replacement)? And what is the date code on the label-- by the word "code"

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Edited: Sun July 05, 2015 at 10:07 PM by GM Tech

govan22 on Sun July 05, 2015 10:46 PM

govan22 on Sun July 05, 2015 10:48 PM

Here are some pics of the compressor

govan22 on Sun July 05, 2015 10:53 PM

It looks like the compressor has a blue? label. The date code appears to be wiped out.
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I was thinking that the shaft seal looked dry. But, I thought seeing that I had compressor off the car, I would change the shaft seal...oh no, should have just left the shaft seal alone. The compressor appeared to be leaking a little from the case (or belly) orings.

Wonder if I could just reuse the same shaft seal ? It looks in decent shape.

govan22 on Sun July 05, 2015 11:03 PM

GM Tech - thx for the reply. I worked at GM when I was a student! Worked at engine plant...we cast and machined v8's...worked on the v6 assembly line..had a great time and was fun to see how everything was made.
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Any info you can provide on the universal "overmolded" shaft seal and "CVC applications" would be great. I did my last v5 compressor rebuild 5 years ago. It was a 1998 v5 compressor. I thought all the v5s were the same...now I know otherwise

govan22 on Mon July 13, 2015 10:11 PM

GM Tech - any source for the the universal "overmolded" shaft seal. This second design v5 overmolded seal would appear to be used on a ton of GM vehicles. Is the seal , AC-Delco Part Number 1531231 ? Prices on AC-Delco 1531231 look kinda crazy.

TRB on Tue July 14, 2015 12:47 PM

Shaft Seal.

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