Scroll tip-seal replacement
Replace scroll tip seals and inspect orbit on an oil-less scroll pump.
This guide is general field reference for trained, qualified service technicians. It is not a substitute for the original equipment manufacturer's service manual, applicable codes (NEC, OSHA, ASME, local), or the judgment of a licensed professional. Procedures, torque values, pressures, refrigerants, and safety requirements vary by make, model, jurisdiction, and revision. Always verify against current OEM documentation and follow your employer's safety program. Working on compressed-air, electrical, pressure-vessel, and refrigerant systems can cause serious injury or death. By using this guide you accept all risk; AirCompDX and its authors disclaim all warranties and are not liable for any damage, injury, loss, or code violation arising from its use.
LOTO and bleed receiver to 0 psi. Scroll castings are aluminum — never use steel tools to pry between the scroll halves.
- Plastic pry sticks
- Torque wrench (in-lb scale)
- Clean nitrile gloves
- OEM tip seal kit
- Dust seal and grease per OEM
- Bearing kit if logged hours exceed OEM tip-seal+bearing interval
- 1Confirm interval
Most scroll pumps spec tip-seal at 10,000 hours and bearings at 20,000 hours. Replacing tips without addressing logged bearings shortens the new seal life.
- 2LOTO and disassemble
Remove the front cover, mark scroll orientation, and lift the orbiting scroll straight off — never rotate it loose, you'll shear the anti-rotation pins.
- 3Strip old seals
Pull the old tip seals from both scrolls with a plastic pick. Inspect aluminum scroll tip surfaces for galling — light scoring is normal; deep furrows = replace the scroll set.
- 4Clean tracks
Wipe the seal grooves with a lint-free cloth and IPA. No grit, no grease in the groove — the seal seats dry.
- 5Install new seals
Press new seals into the grooves working from the center outward. Confirm the seal sits below the scroll tip face — proud installation tears on the first revolution.
- 6Reassemble
Set the orbiting scroll back, align anti-rotation pins, refit the front cover. Torque cover bolts in cross pattern to OEM in-lb spec.
- 7Break-in
Run unloaded for 15 min, then ramp to load. Tip seals seat by polishing — expect slightly elevated discharge temp for the first 50 hours, then stabilization.