Mysterious Oil Leak out of the AC Condenser? Help

**Frey7190** · 08-23-2009 10:26 PM

Ok so yesterday, the day before I left to college, I decided to do the Hayden Power Steering Cooler upgrade, but when i pulled the front bumper off I noticed that the AC Condenser was dripping a yellowish oilish fluid. I just did the Timing Belt on it and the guy at the shop said everything went A-OK, but I know that didn't exist before. Take a loook... It looks like its coming off the left bottom side.

Help me Please!!!!

Thanks!

**B6JoeS4** · 08-23-2009 11:12 PM

Wow your luck is just shit. lol

**diagnosticator** · 08-24-2009 12:47 AM

That is compressor oil that circulates with the R134A in the system, the condenser is leaking because there is a crack or pin hole in the condenser. This can be caused by rough treatment moving the condenser aside for the timing belt job, or if the hoses on the condenser were removed for some reason. It's easy to twist the fitting and crack the condenser if care is not taken when removing the hose fittings. The R134A is also leaking and it won't be long before the A/C system stops cooling/working.

**Frey7190** · 08-24-2009 08:43 AM

^^ YOUR SOOOOO RIGHT! My A/C when on LOW is barely cold! And last year I took it to the dealership and they did an A/C Recharge on it. But like 2 weeks later it went back to the way it always is... That explains it!

Crap... I just moved to Burbank, where unlike where my house which is on the coast, it is an inferno, and without a/c Idk what im gunna do to survive! FML

But thanks Diagnosticator! You've saved the day!

**burns420** · 08-24-2009 08:45 AM

That's quite a bit of oil. Does your AC work?

**Frey7190** · 08-24-2009 08:51 AM

Yeah it kinda does... Like LOW mode is barely cold, and it takes a long ass time to cool the cabin down.. I hardly use it for that reason, but now that im in the valley, it gets HOT! so I need to get this repaired.

**diagnosticator** · 08-24-2009 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Frey7190

Yeah it kinda does... Like LOW mode is barely cold, and it takes a long ass time to cool the cabin down.. I hardly use it for that reason, but now that im in the valley, it gets HOT! so I need to get this repaired.

If you are lucky, it's just a loose hose fitting, needing only tightening and a recharge of R134A. If not, then the condenser will need to be replaced and the system recharged. The hose fittings are sealed with o rings, so they don't depend on being really tight to seal, that is why you should expect to replace the condenser. It's also possible it's just a pinched o ring in the condenser hose fitting. Another possibility is the condenser was hit by a rock a pinholed.

**dougyfresh** · 08-24-2009 10:09 AM

I would not drive the car much until you fix this. As John can attest to, if you drive the car on very low and/or no refrigerant you'll blow the compressor and need to spend $500 on a new compressor.

John,
Is there a sensor that will set off a code and/or light on the dashboard if your refrigerant gets low? ie: if there is a leak and its leaking out.

**diagnosticator** · 08-24-2009 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by dougyfresh

I would not drive the car much until you fix this. As John can attest to, if you drive the car on very low and/or no refrigerant you'll blow the compressor and need to spend $500 on a new compressor.

John,
Is there a sensor that will set off a code and/or light on the dashboard if your refrigerant gets low? ie: if there is a leak and its leaking out.

There is a pressure switch that will lock out the compressor if the system pressure is too low, I don't recall seeing any DTCs for that but the system does have system pressure in the measuring blocks, so it follows that there should be DTCs also. If the system pressure is low, and the compressor is locked out, then the Dash Control "ECON" light on the button will turn on and pressing the button won't turn off the "Econ' light indicating the compressor is locked out. There is nothing to indicate a leak before the system pressure is too low and locks out the compressor.