Ok now what?

Any idea what's going on? A/c compressor has what looks to be an oily grease coming out at the clutch. Just came back from a 10 hour trip and found this. The wagon is climate controlled.

 

It looks like a blown seal from a permanently sealed clutch bearing. Is there any play or unusual noise?

 

The system goes low once a year. I add an oil freon charge found at most auto stores and its ice cold after. It quieted it down but still has a bit of noise coming from it.
Would freon be able to leak at this clutch area or is it just a clutch slipping and heating up to the point and melting things?

 

I dont believe the clutch is making noise, just the compressor.

 

Freon could certainly leak out from a blown seal there, causing the compressor oil to travel with it. If it's noisy at exactly that spot, the bearing is likely giving up the ghost, getting sloppy enough to strain the seal. The cause might have been an over-tightened belt

 

I always use a strain gauge while tightening belts. Wait that is strain causing stain in the underwear LOL.
It is possible belt is to tight and I did replace it 5 years ago. The compressor is 41 years old and has never been opened that I know of. I thought oil also but it also looks like melted rubber it's so thick. Maybe a combination of both? The oil allowing something to slip that shouldn't be slipping?

 

I thought the oil would be showing closer to the compressor, not near the end of the clutch. I've never had one apart.

 

The system is under pressure. Therefore, there's only one place where the refrigerant and oil can escape from a compressor. The compressor bearing has to get lubricated somehow

https://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/ic50350.htm

 

Yes, because the clutch completely surrounds the front of the compressor, the gas will move the oil through the hub, bringing it out to the end of the clutch. I recommend evacuating the system and pulling the compressor, to replace that shaft seal and inspect the clutch unit (although with that age, I'd recommend at least replacing the clutch plates and pulley bearing, if not the whole assembly). The only problem would be if the system is still R12, as most shops don't handle R12 anymore.

 

I doubt that it's running on R-12. Otherwise, he wouldn't be having it charged back up so frequently, expensive as that refrigerant is anymore

 

Oh, I was under the impression it was still on an original charge.

 

It's the compressor shaft seal. We used to do a lot of them. Takes a set of special tools, but not a hard job if you have them. The seal consists of a ceramic seat and a spring loaded graphite seal. Over time, the seal gnaws its way into the seat and start seeping. We did most of them on the car, just unbolting the compressor and tipping it up to get working space. If you are running something other than the original r12 you have higher pressures which will exacerbate the problem. It was a $100 gravy job back in the day, but would probably exceed the price of a rebuilt compressor today.

 

Thanks for the input. I think I will be getting a kit with a new rebuilt one off of rockauto.com. the kit has a new drier and expansion valve for 400 Canadian. The system has previously been converted to 134a. I have all that's needed to solvent flush the system and add new o-rings everywhere. I also have a stash of 134a and proper oil to recharge the system. I redid the climate control on my 64 Cadillac so I have a familiarity with these systems. I was getting quoted in excess of 8 thou and still no guarentee it would work right. Guess what... it works right now! I thought the clutch may have been slipping on the wagon but with the consensus the leak is obviously the more reasonable answer. I'll just do it right and be done with it.
Here is the Cadillac during the a/c rebuild and some other upgrades.

 

I would get a Pro6ten compressor unless originality is a concern. The A6 design never got fixed and it will eventually leak out again, with the "rebuilt" compressor most likely leaking faster than a "new" compressor. I re-did my '73 with a newer style compressor and it's still cooling great after 3.5 years.

 

Are you sure that the hood will close?