AC leak in cab smell (1 Viewer)

[zipastro]

Just noticed my wifes ac has stopped working and there is a freon smell even without the ac on. You notice it most when you run the fan right away at start up? Anyone else have this problem?

94 with 166k and R34A

 

[CJF]

I wouldn't automatically assume these two issues are related. What the heck does r134a (not "Freon", which is a brand name for r12) smell like anyway?

For the A/C, you need to check a few things: Does the compressor engage? If so, how's the refrigerant level sight glass look? Etc...

As for the smell: You sure it's not a *coolant* smell? Possibly from a leaking heater core, or hose, or???

Curtis

 

[zipastro]

Oh its definately the refridgerant smell, I have filled other cars and know exactly what the newer stuff smells like.

The compressor still kicks in but I am sure as soon as a little more leaks out the low pressure switch will stop that from happening.

The sight glass shows there is still a bit in there but not much.


I am certain I have an AC leak, I just need Ideas on where other people have had it leak before and noticed the freon smell in the cab.

 

[CJF]

Ah; ok.

Haven't heard of that one before around here, but we'll see.

Good luck,

Curtis

 

[Scamper]

The only place that refrigerant enters the cab is thru the firewall and directly into the cooling box. If it is a leak, it could only be in the evaporator itself, or one of the connections to it (return/low pressure connection to evaporator, expansion valve to evaporator connection, or high pressure connection to expansion valve).

 

[Rookie2]

The only place that refrigerant enters the cab is thru the firewall and directly into the cooling box. If it is a leak, it could only be in the evaporator itself, or one of the connections to it (return/low pressure connection to evaporator, expansion valve to evaporator connection, or high pressure connection to expansion valve).

True dat. I would look at replacing the o-rings at these connectors. Obviously, be sure to discharge the system prior to disconnecting the expansion valve. You can get a leak tester to isolate and pinpoint the location of the leak, but don't know what's something like that runs.


Rookie2

 

[fishwater]

i noticed some dye/oil leaking (along with the normal amount of water) from the drain hose from my evaporator a few days ago and also smelled that PAG/oil smell in the cab. of course today, no more cold from the AC and there are bubbles in the sight glass. any ideas what could cause oil to leak/show up in the drain. i plan on spending more time searching, but i don't know how long i can wait in the south GA heat...
thanks.

 

[1972FJ55]

The only place that refrigerant enters the cab is thru the firewall and directly into the cooling box. If it is a leak, it could only be in the evaporator itself, or one of the connections to it (return/low pressure connection to evaporator, expansion valve to evaporator connection, or high pressure connection to expansion valve).

What he said...the only way to find out will be to remove the evaporator assembly from the dash and see what you find. If you're seeing dye at the evap drain tube, it's coming from something in the evap assembly. It could be anything from a bad o-ring to the evap core itself.

 

[fishwater]

What he said...the only way to find out will be to remove the evaporator assembly from the dash and see what you find. If you're seeing dye at the evap drain tube, it's coming from something in the evap assembly. It could be anything from a bad o-ring to the evap core itself.

ok. got the evap assembly out during lunch. there was a fair amount of dye (mixed with oil) in the lower part of the unit housing (along with enough trash to build an eagle's nest...). no leaking or evidence of dye around the expansion valve fittings nor the fittings at the firewall. i cleaned the evap with compressed air wiped and cleaned the bottom of it, and allowed it to sit on a clean sheet of paper on top of a newspaper and there was dye/oil leaking from the bottom of the evaporator. seems obvious (at least to me) that my evaporator is the culprit. any other ideas? i'm guessing that all that trash over time mixed with some condensation eventually caused the leak.

let me know if i should do anything else besides replace it (the evaporator $$$), the expansion valve, the o-rings at each fitting and the dryer.

thanks for the help.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Agreed. Mike

 

[1972FJ55]

FWIW, if your evap is a plate & fin, we sell it for $135, the expansion block is $44.71, the drier is $22.31 (these are both Denso) and the o-ring set is $7.26.

 

[fishwater]

thanks, but i jumped the gun and went ahead and ordered the above. i think i have the o-ring set i got when i changed my compressor/condensor. if i can't find them, are they easy to pick up at napa/oriely's/autozone?