How to Fix AC Leak in Car

by Chris Lewis.

AC leakage is standard practice; it is a common problem that almost all car owners have encountered at some point during their vehicle ownership period. Rubber parts, such as hoses, O rings, and gaskets that leak in an air conditioning system can result in refrigerant loss. Alternatively, it could be caused by small leaks that develop in metal parts or connections, such as those found in an evaporator, condenser, or compressor. Small leaks of this nature can be repaired with simple hand tools in the comfort of your own backyard.

Expert Tips

  1. Locate the AC leak in your car
  2. Check the hoses, valves, and connections for damage or leaks
  3. Add more refrigerant to the system if needed
  4. Tighten all hose clamps and fittings
  5. Inspect the compressor for wear or damage
  6. Replace any worn or damaged parts

How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak?

If your air conditioning unit is leaking, you're going to want to take steps to fix it as soon as possible. Not only is a leaky AC unit annoying and uncomfortable, but it can also be expensive to repair. In this blog post, we'll show you how to identify and fix the most common types of AC leaks in cars. So if your car has been feeling a little stuffy lately, keep reading!

How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak?
How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak?

Things That You May Require

Things you may need to find a leakage point

1. UV Light.

2. Pressure gauge meter.

3. Keen observing eyes.

Follow The Procedure

Refrigerants are oily in nature, so you must look on and examine the AC hoses, valves, Condenser, evaporator and Compressor, Receiver dryer,

Some modern refrigerants are not oily; they can be detected using a UV light in a darker area where the leaking refrigerant can be detected as glowing area (usually green in color).

If the refrigerant has completely leaked out of the system and there is no longer enough pressure to detect a leak, we will need to refill the system with new refrigerant in order to generate enough pressure suitable for detecting a leak, as described below.

1. Find a Low-Pressure Line (Labeled "L") so that we may use it to fill the refrigerant. If you cannot see the cap labeling "L" for low or "H" for high, then the other way is to locate a thicker pipe (hose) which the low-pressure line uses. The things can't mess up because the refrigerants have same valve which only fits into Low pressure Line instead of the higher one that uses another size of the valve.

Follow The Procedure
Follow The Procedure

2. Start the car engine and make sure AC is turned on.

3. While the engine and AC are on, connect the refrigerant bottle preinstalled with pressure gauge with the Low-pressure Line and press the trigger of the bottle to get the coolant into the car's AC system.

4. While it is filling, keep switching the coolant bottle's position from Vertical to horizontal to vertical to horizontal and so on. This action aids in the mixing of the coolant with the oils, dyes, and sealers, allowing the coolant to thoroughly mix with the refrigerant.

Follow The Procedure
Follow The Procedure

5. Keep rotating and keep taking the pressure readings which are gradually going up until they are about 35 psi which is good enough to find a leak.

6. Now remove the refrigerant can, put the cap on the valve back. Find and move to a darker area for clear UV light visibility. Turn on the UV Light.

Follow The Procedure
Follow The Procedure

7. Check the Compressor and the two-line connections with High and low pressures feed in. The high and low lines should be followed to the connecting valves, which should be installed wherever they are, and then to the condenser and its valves. Examine the evaporator as well as the lines that lead to it as well.

We have discovered the source of the leak on the compressor. It is necessary to remove the item from the vehicle because it cannot be repaired with super sealers.

Follow The Procedure
Follow The Procedure

Fixing a Leak Using Super Sealant

Super Sealers are effective at repairing the majority of rubber and metal leaks in air conditioning systems. A professional repair and component replacement may be required for larger leaks where the refrigerant is lost within two weeks of the system being recharged.

Things That You May Require

To use a Super Seal, you will require.

1. Charging hose assembly.

2. Super Sealant.

3. Safety Glasses.

4. Work Gloves.

Procedure to Follow

1. Any prior refrigerant must be removed from the AC System by using vacuum machine.

2. Locate the low-side service port of the AC under the hood and remove the cap. The low-side port will always be on the larger diameter aluminum tubing between the compressor and the car's firewall.

Procedure to Follow
Procedure to Follow

3. Start the car engine and set the AC to maximum cooling.

4. Connect the sealer can with the Low-pressure Line. Make sure that AC compressor is running.

5. Turn the Sealer can upside down position and release the sealer valve to pour the sealant into the system until empty. This will take about 1-2 minutes.

Procedure to Follow
Procedure to Follow

6. Remove the can from the low service port and add more refrigerant to recharge the system. The refrigerant will also prevent residual super seal from sealing and will flush any remaining super sealant from the charging hose.

7. After charging, allow the engine to run for at least 15 minutes. This will ensure that super seal and refrigerant have fully circulated through the system.

Fixing Large Leaks

Large AC gas leaks can only be detected after a complete recharge of the refrigerant is performed. If the refrigerant is able to last for one or more weeks after the leak, it is considered to be a minor leak.

However, if it loses its gas supply suddenly or within a week, it could be a sign of a significant leak. It is only by identifying the leakage area and replacing the components that large leaks can be repaired or stopped.

Components such as the evaporator, compressor, and radiator are frequently in need of replacement because they require more time and resources to repair than other components.

Conclusion for Fix ing AC Leak in Your Car

  1. If your car's AC is leaking, the first step is to find the source of the leak
  2. Once you've located the leak, try to fix it yourself using a sealant or duct tape
  3. If you can't fix the leak, take your car to a mechanic and have them do it for you
  4. Keep an eye on the AC system in your car and make sure there are no new leaks developing

Keeping the AC system in your car maintained and repaired is a good idea. If you're noticing that your car's AC fluid has been leaking, the first step should be to find out where it is coming from. Once you've located the leak, try to fix it yourself using some sealant or duct tape if possible. If that doesn't work, take your vehicle into an auto mechanic for them to repair it as soon as possible so there aren't any more leaks developing on your air conditioning system. The last thing you want is for this issue to become worse and cause damage not only expensive repairs but also safety concerns like lack of visibility at night due to fogged up windows!

About Chris Lewis.

Chris Lewis is a passionate individual with a deep affinity for the world of automobiles. From a tender age, his fascination with cars was nurtured by his father, a seasoned mechanic based in the vibrant city of San Francisco. Growing up under the watchful guidance of his skilled father, Chris developed an early aptitude for all things automotive.

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