I have an oil leak dripping from the coolant hose running beneath the a/c compressor. I'm guessing its the a/c compressor that's leaking. If the compressor is leaking, can it be fixed or do I have to replace the compressor?

 

So is it leaking oil? because that wouldn't be the ac compressor

 

Yeah buddy, that's not good if what you're saying it true... Could you explain what exactly is "leaking." Is it black, like car oil?

 

It's not black so I'm guessing it's not engine oil and it's too thick to be antifreeze.

 

Probably power steering fluid.

 

What color is it?

 

The A/C compressor is lubricated by a few ounces of oil mist that circulates with the refrigerant. Generally, when the system leaks, all you will see is an oily surface immediately at the leak, not "drops".

 

FWIW if the A/C compressor was leaking its oil, it would also be leaking freon and the A/C would not be blowing cold.

 

My AC compressor had been leaking oil, actual drops on the gound, for about the past 3 years...it still worked fine though, until this summer. It finally stopped blowing cold, so I had it replaced. Ran me $920!

However, the AC compressor will leak oil and still function...until it eventually runs out. There is no fix for it except to replace the compressor. However, in very rare instances, it will leak from one of the fittings going into the compressor and you can just have the fitting replaced, but more often than not, it's the actual compressor.