AC Issue

[fdmarshal]

I searched before posting, hence this post.

06 LC I looked everywhere for an obvious leak. I removed each clamp along rear ac line looking for obvious leak and nothing, although I could not see above the muffler.

Does anyone have a common failure point besides the line set where it attaches with the rubber grommet? For a 20 year old car in NY I was SHOCKED that the 10mm nuts came off each stud on those mounts. I anti seized them before reinstalling.

Prior owner obviously had a leak as the low pressure port had dye on it, but I don't see it anywhere.

Added 2 cans of freon and it cooled down, not cold, didnt want to waste anymore if I could find the leak, but its still not obvious.

As always a big thank you to everyone who responds. This place is the ultimate resource.

 

[2001LC]

Some leaks can be spotted without adding dye to AC system or using a sniffer. Since the AC oil in the system weeps out, with R134a gas.
Mud and salt get trapped between shield, liquid and gas pipes. Often the liquid line develops a corrosion hole at point, where these pipes clamp together behind gravel shielding.

Behind RH front fender well shielding.

But leaks can be anywhere. i.e. cores, fittings condensor, compressor, etc..

 

[fdmarshal]

Yeah my lines were spotless! Nothing that obvious.

Sniffer coming today.