AC Leak!?

**SnowFlake** · 05-24-2011

Okay so last summer my A/C wasn't working so I filled it... It worked (was late summer) until it wasn't needed anymore. Well it was hot out today annnndd the A/C didn't work. So I picked up a can of 134 and a can with UV Dye in it. I put it in, A/C works great. After it got dark I broke out the blacklight. The spots where I dripped the refrigerant were HIGHLY visible, however there was no leaks that I could see.

Any ideas!? Should I get under the car or look under the dash? I mean how many places could this stuff leak out of?

**dpzelenak** · 05-24-2011

theres a crap load of places it could leak from,
all the lines and fittings
the condenser
the accumulator
the conpressor
the evaporator
just run it for a couple days and then check everything and everywhere all of and see what you can find

**redlinepontiac** · 05-24-2011

most likely an oring failed, theyre at every connection on the system.

both my gt, and gtp the compressor had an internal problem, lost refrigerant. all connections dry thought.

food for thought

**SnowDrift** · 05-25-2011

Get it up in the air and check the pump, too. The compressors have a tendency to get a leak where the two halves are put together.

Don't forget to check your carpet on the passenger side, too, in case the evaporator is leaking on the inside.

**SnowFlake** · 05-25-2011

If the compressor is leaking is there a way to fix it without needing to buy a new one?

**SnowDrift** · 05-25-2011

Probably not an economical way to do so. I wouldn't worry about it yet, until you find the dye leaking out. It could be as simple as one of the o-ring washers, like was already mentioned.

**redlinepontiac** · 05-25-2011

a reconditioned compressor is 200ish $

**SnowDrift** · 05-26-2011

I sold a newly remanufactured Four Seasons (warranty) for about $65 a few months back.

**BillBoost37** · 05-26-2011

With a name like SnowFlake, one would think you are a cool character who wouldn't need AC.

**SnowFlake** · 05-26-2011

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

With a name like SnowFlake, one would think you are a cool character who wouldn't need AC.

To the contrary... I'm gonna melt this summer if my AC stops working.

**redlinepontiac** · 05-26-2011

wuss,

**SJAndrew** · 05-26-2011

Recharge for a bandaid?

**SnowDrift** · 05-27-2011

Expensive bandaid for something that may only last a few days, at best. Find the leak and you may have more than a decade before you have to worry about it again.

**redlinepontiac** · 05-28-2011

a shop shouldnt recharge if theres a known leak FYI

**SnowFlake** · 05-28-2011

I'm gonna check it again with a blacklight tomorrow night, the A/C stopped working again today... and those refill cans are ****ing expensive now. I uesd to be able to pick up 3 of them for about $14. Now it's $13 for one.

**redlinepontiac** · 05-29-2011

yepp car companys came out with a new refrigerant, so they want to phase out R134a

**sic6** · 05-29-2011

Make sure the schrader valves on the lines are not leaking. Also the compressor is notorious for leaking from the center sections. Run the system and spray all the connections with soapy water. If you still can not find the leak the best way to find it is to evacuate the system then charge it with nitrogen. I have used this method numerous times and found its the best and fastest way to find leaks.

**Scottydoggs** · 05-29-2011

dirty fittings, hoses and what not usually indicates a leak too, my last truck the a/c would leak at this valve with a wire connection that was a top the box on the fire wall, when i saw it getting greasy looking i would wipe it off and turn it 1/2 a turn to tighten it up. try looking for dirty fittings.