AC leak-think I found it

[izzyandsue]

while changing bumper to an MT tube, found this green leak in condenser connect line. Tightened the bolt there, and cleaned the area well with break cleaner together rid of old green, the condenser fins were green too.

Refilled tonight with new bottle and running cold now. Don't see any seepage from connector, all clean.

 

[izzyandsue]

By the way, on page AC1 of the FSM, there is a picture of a man praying to the refrigerant. That's part of what I did too

 

[roadstr6]

I hate to be a naysayer but the green looks an awful lot like paint overspray from a previous repair or re-paint. Refrigerant leaks normally present themselves as just oily spots. Many times it's the seals on the compressor that dry up and seep. I'll be praying to the R134a gods as well in hopes that you can stay cool.

 

[izzyandsue]

The reason I think it's refrigerant it's because it is the eye-den-tical color as the stuff in the sight glass, and what came off my fingers in the filling port. Also, it was wet to the touch. Spraying break cleaner, which is great for every cleaning project seems like, got rid of all the wet stuff, then began to remove the older caked stuff. I spayed until it was clear and no more Hulk color came off that area. Used the AC a good bit last night, so far everything in that area looks dry, no bubbles or oozing greenish liquid.

 

[Rice]

The reason I think it's refrigerant it's because it is the eye-den-tical color as the stuff in the sight glass, and what came off my fingers in the filling port. Also, it was wet to the touch. Spraying break cleaner, which is great for every cleaning project seems like, got rid of all the wet stuff, then began to remove the older caked stuff. I spayed until it was clear and no more Hulk color came off that area. Used the AC a good bit last night, so far everything in that area looks dry, no bubbles or oozing greenish liquid.

Check the green stuff under a UV light to see if it glows. Looks as if a test leak dye kit may have been used, thus the green.

 

[izzyandsue]

I dont have one handy, but i can see it through the clear sight glass, its the same green monster

 

[izzyandsue]

The prayer didn't work, drove home with the AC on lowest fan setting, 80 outside and freezing inside cabin, excellent. But tonight when I checked, saw the evil green leak detector coloring on the upper hard pipe that connects to condenser. Calling any experts out there, would I need a new condenser or is it fixable?

The pipe is the one above the condenser connector in this picture fro FSM

 

[Roxx]

This is what uneed is the leak is in the connector.

If it it the condensor napa has it too

 

[Rice]

If you verify it's the condenser then ultimately, no, not fixable since that's the high pressure part of the system. Sure, a radiator shop can fix the hole but that cost isn't much off from new and you still have an old condenser.

Edit: 3 choices, all under $100.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1997/toyota/land_cruiser/climate_control/a-fs-c_condenser.html

 

[izzyandsue]

That sounds good. I may have a pro do the install as I dont have vaccum pump/evacuator system or any of those tools needed for the repair. The part seem easy enough to buy though.
Any experience working with this service?: http://www.aplusmobileautoservices.com/

Seems to do AC and I can see what he would be doing.

 

[Roxx]

Buy the dryer too. You have ro change the dryer everytime you open the system. Napa has it too.

 

[izzyandsue]

Gracias Rafa! Will get it all when I pull the trigger. I have cleaned up all the areas and now watching for recurrence so I can pinpoint the damn leak