air conditioning leaks

[PDoyle]

Last weekend I went to use the A/C. It was about 80 degrees outside, and all I got was hot air.
Is this common in the Cruiser?
I searched the site but found nothing...
I guess there is s small leak, and the a/c unit needs to be recharged.
What next?

Do you just recharge it, or is there a stop leak/recharger?

 

[RavenTai]

IIRC the 94 takes R12, at the cost of that stuff you want to find the leak before recharging

 

[Heffenoche]

My 94 takes 134a which is much cheaper.

I'm not sure about the 80 but it is not uncommon for any 10 year old vehicle get a leak in the A/C system. More than likely you have a bad o-ring or a leaky compressor.As mentioned you are better off finding the leak and repairing it before exacuating and recharging the system.

 

[mabrodis]

To find leaks I think they typically use freon with dye in it, makes the leak very apparent from what I've heard. Not sure if you could get that stuff yourself, I haven't tried to find it.

 

[e9999]

had a couple of posts on the topic
haven't yet fixed my leak
I have eliminated the idea of using refrigerant with a sealer though, I don't want to put any gunk in there that I might be sorry about later
There is dye and there are sniffers out there to find the leak if it's not obvious (there may typically be some clear oil showing)
If it's a serious leak you will need to open up the system which means evacuating and recharging
E

 

[sjcruiser]

Pat,

Check along the AC lines for black oily trails - if there is a freon leak somewhere - compressor oil also finds its way there.

Frank.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Also, do a search. An O ring has been found to be the cause on at least 2 93/94 models here and directions on replacing it were posted.

DougM

 

[PDoyle]

Doug , I searched and found nothing. Any idea who posted it?

 

[montelawrence]

Pat I have a 93 LC & it had a leak also. I would get the system recharge & it would leak out in about a month later. Come to find out my AC compressor had a leak. Since I had the compressor replaced the system has been running nice & cool.

 

[flintknapper]

flintknapper

I know this is on the 80s side but I have a general question. My 100 has a leak in the AC line. It was charged with some dye and it is plainly leaking from an area just under the passenger side rocker. A mechanic wants $514 to fix it ($206 parts). I have found the part for $100 online (very obscure part Cdan would have to order it). Has anyone here ever replaced an AC line. Other than having the system depressurized before you start is there anything special about the proceedure or can you just wrench on a new line and have someone recharge the system? Any help would be appreciated.

Depending upon how accessable the line is...you may be able to do this yourself. Where is the leak coming from? If it is at the crimp in the hose or line then replace it. If it is simply a leaking O-ring or gasket (at a manifold site) then just replace that item. Cheap insurance against future leaks at a fitting is a product called "Nylog". You can buy it at ACKits.com If you replace the line yourself you will either be releasing 134a into the atmosphere or taking the vehicle in to have it recovered. I would advise that you replace the accumulator anytime that you open the system. Of course, it will need to be leak tested, a deep vacuum pulled on it and recharged. If you do not have the equipment to do all of this yourself then you will probably realize little savings in replacing the single line and then having someone else do the rest. ACKits.com also know as Arizona Mobile Air is an excellent site for information and help, I highly recommend them. Good Luck.

 

[Rich]

You are missing the receiver drier replacment. A proper repair will include replacing that. You want to minimize the amount of time that the receiver drier is open to air, which would be from the time you remove the plugs on the receiver (to install) to when you evacuate the system for refilling.

Be sure the shop that does the recharge knows what parts you have replaced, so they can best estimate how much oil to add with the recharge.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I went through something like this as well. $720 estimate to replace a bunch of parts, including the drier. I got the part, put it on (after letting the stuff out), then drove to the dealer and had the system recharged for under $100. That was 6 years ago and the system still blows ice cubes on 95 degree days. I'd replace the line yourself if you think it's going to be simple, then have it recharged (evacuating is part of the recharge, BTW).

DougM