A/C Freon Leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
A/C Freon Leak
Ugh... I thought I could buy a few months before I had to deal with this, but this Houston "winter" (70+deg.) is forcing me to deal with it now. Here goes...
I have an A/C leak that I believe is somewhere around the compressor (judging by the leak detector under the car). I can't see where the leak is coming from looking at it from the above the engine, and I couldn't see where it was coming from looking from the bottom when I did a recent oil change due to the cross-member being in the way. Anyway, I'm pretty confident the leak is at the bottom somewhere around the compressor. Once charged, the compressor kicks in just fine and blows cold air so I think the compressor is fine. Questions:
1. Do the A/C lines or fittings coming in and out of the compressor have rubber gaskets in the them? If so, has anyone purchased/replaced them and have a part number or instructions?
2. Could the A/C be leaking from the compressor itself even though it works fine when charged?
3. What's the best way to get to freon supply and outlet lines at the compressor to check for tightness (passenger side wheel-well??)?
I'd like to do this systematically and I think replacing any gaskets or fittings would be the best way to go initially instead of replacing a high dollar item like the compressor and hoping for the best. I'll probably take it to a shop if I need to replace the compressor, but I figured I could try to tackle the line gaskets if possible.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I have an A/C leak that I believe is somewhere around the compressor (judging by the leak detector under the car). I can't see where the leak is coming from looking at it from the above the engine, and I couldn't see where it was coming from looking from the bottom when I did a recent oil change due to the cross-member being in the way. Anyway, I'm pretty confident the leak is at the bottom somewhere around the compressor. Once charged, the compressor kicks in just fine and blows cold air so I think the compressor is fine. Questions:
1. Do the A/C lines or fittings coming in and out of the compressor have rubber gaskets in the them? If so, has anyone purchased/replaced them and have a part number or instructions?
2. Could the A/C be leaking from the compressor itself even though it works fine when charged?
3. What's the best way to get to freon supply and outlet lines at the compressor to check for tightness (passenger side wheel-well??)?
I'd like to do this systematically and I think replacing any gaskets or fittings would be the best way to go initially instead of replacing a high dollar item like the compressor and hoping for the best. I'll probably take it to a shop if I need to replace the compressor, but I figured I could try to tackle the line gaskets if possible.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Last edited by egypt123; Jan 29, 2008 at 08:49 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Also, you would want someone with the proper equipment to properly (slowly) evacuate the AC system before disconnecting (opening) the lines.
If you simply break open the lines of a charged system you will loose a lot of oil. This oil must be replaced in the proper amount to offset the loss.
The leak could be the compressor shaft seal also.
A sensitive leak detector in qualified hands should be able to find the point of the leak. Dye can also be injected into the system to help pinpoint the leak.
