Air Conditioner Question

Is it normal for the AC compressor to have water condensation on it while
it is running? The lines, and accumulator/drier always develop water
condensation on them, but I don't remember seeing this on the compressor
itself before. I guess I thought the heat created from compressing the
Freon wouldn't allow much water condensation on the actual compressor.

Vehicle is a 2000 F550 with 7.3.

The suction line on my 2007 GMC has condensation, especially on days with high humidity.

The suction line goes over top of the distributor.

I have to prevent the moisture from dripping on the rotor cap.

So yes, it is normal.

My dad told me to stop adding freon when you see condensation on the suction line. This was 50 years ago before HVAC techs had an accurate way to weigh the freon added.

Do you get condensation on the actual body of the compressor?

Condensation on the suction line at the compressor, roughly 15 minutes after startup is always a signal to me that the system is full.... considering you are on a warm summer's day. Gauge data are available usually but systems have different loads and environments which can change the normal pressure vs ambient temp data and I usually don't get everything working per the book. Sight gauges on receiver/dryers are a joke (opinion). One of the big variables is the location of the expansion valve vs condenser plumbing. New units not a problem but if you have a reason to disturb or change the EV getting it back in the right place, or the design of your replacement has a big effect on system performance....BTDT

Another variable is the location of the evaporator coil and EV. If you are in the shade when you setup your system, ambient temperature at the evaporator is much higher after you spend a day out in the sun working as is the heat load as a result of sun shine not only on the top of the cab but through the windows too.

DRussell,

Perfectly charged, will sweat on humid days more.

I bet it keeps the cab nice and frosty,


Guido.

You could put some foam insulation over the ac line over the distributor to prevent the condensation. The distributor should be enough watertight enough to shed drips of water. I mean it's made so that if you drive though water the water can splash up on the engine without doing any harm.

Depending on temps.
Usually condensate on the compressor means too much freon. You are having liquid freon getting to the compressor and may wash out too much oil from the compressor.

(quoted from post at 13:01:40 08/28/23) Is it normal for the AC compressor to have water condensation on it while
it is running? The lines, and accumulator/drier always develop water
condensation on them, but I don't remember seeing this on the compressor
itself before. I guess I thought the heat created from compressing the
Freon wouldn't allow much water condensation on the actual compressor.

Vehicle is a 2000 F550 with 7.3.

Click to expand...

Are you having a cooling problem? If not then don't sweat it!

I had freon leaks various places last summer and due to age I decided to
put all new AC components on the truck last Spring. Compressor,
condenser, lines, drier/accumulator, evaporator, orifice tube, etc.
Everything was new. Then my local mechanic pulled a vacuum and put the
freon in it. He put in what the system called for, I don't know how
many oz of freon it took. It does blow cold air.

More recently I was noticing more of a temp difference in the air vents
between highway speed vs sitting at a stop light, and I thought my
transmission temperature has maybe been running a bit hotter. So on
Saturday I put a new fan clutch on it. I noticed the condensation on
the body of the compressor while running the truck for about 5 minutes
after replacing the fan clutch. I don't remember seeing condensation on
the actual compressor body on other systems and was wondering if that
was normal.

It all depends on the internal layout and porting inside the compressor. If the low pressure side of the system is exposed to the internal shell of compressor there is a good chance that it will cause the OD of the compressor to sweat. The only thing you could do would be to find another vehicle with the same compressor to see if that one does the same thing.

(quoted from post at 10:48:13 08/28/23) I had freon leaks various places last summer and due to age I decided to
put all new AC components on the truck last Spring. Compressor,
condenser, lines, drier/accumulator, evaporator, orifice tube, etc.
Everything was new. Then my local mechanic pulled a vacuum and put the
freon in it. He put in what the system called for, I don't know how
many oz of freon it took. It does blow cold air.

More recently I was noticing more of a temp difference in the air vents
between highway speed vs sitting at a stop light, and I thought my
transmission temperature has maybe been running a bit hotter. So on
Saturday I put a new fan clutch on it. I noticed the condensation on
the body of the compressor while running the truck for about 5 minutes
after replacing the fan clutch. I don't remember seeing condensation on
the actual compressor body on other systems and was wondering if that
was normal.

Click to expand...

he lower the refrigerant charge, the lower the suction pressure & the lower the suction pressure , the lower the temperature. I have often observed the suction line with ice all the way back to the compressor. Nothing ever has one simple straightforward answer, does it?

my 91 d 150 gets wet after 3 or so miutes. compresser drips sweat water all the time. cab is like a meat locker too