Aggravating A/C leak

[arsgst]

Ok so I have a leak in my a/c system. Ive done alittle research and it seems to be a common problem for the eclipse right behind the battery on the firewall. Ive replaced the o-rings twice with no luck. Is the only way to fix this to get new lines? If so where can I get the lines? I cant find a microfiche for the car.

 

[concept4g63]

Try to get those universal o rings for the a.c system at a parts store because they are a little faster so you know for sure it will seal. Sometimes itll be a tiny tiny tiny tiny gap when bolting the line back in but hey it worked when i tried it. Just remember as long as that line is sealed no worries. Let me know how that goes. Good luck

 

[arsgst]

Ive replaced the o rings twice with those rings. No luck

 

[concept4g63]

HHmmmmm weird, that shouldved worked. There has to be something wrong. Take a pic of the o ring the a.c line and where it connects to on the firewall and,post,it up. If the line is damaged get it replaced. Find someone,parting out,there car

 

[Jerkychew]

A/C delete. Windows down natural A/C. and you gain some HP back .

 

[arsgst]

I have 2 small kids. Ac delete in fla is not an option!

 

[Jerkychew]

Okay, Is it obviously coming from that spot? If so you could try pulling that plate with the o-rings off and take a sanding block to the front of it to make sure it is flat. Maybe take like .001" off with the sanding make sure where the o-rings lay in there is nice and clean take a little oil to the o-rings and re-install them. If you can't tell if that is where it is coming from for sure, you could start the car, run the A/C and get soap and water mixture and spray down all the lines and fittings and look for bubbles.

 

[arsgst]

Is there anything I can put under it? Like a silicone or something to help

 

[Jerkychew]

I wouldn't, sometimes silicone can come loose and go place you don't want it to. Same thing with teflon tape, i've seen people use it on transmissions and it ruined their week . Then I get a good twenty minutes of rubbing it in their face "why would you even use that on compression fittings? dolt." And how if you really feel compelled to do so use it on the outside of the o-rings and only a very small amount about a half inch around the o-rings. And torque that beast down. But really if you haven't tried putting oil on the o-rings that could be enough in it's self.

 

[Chrispy0530]

I have 2 small kids. Ac delete in fla is not an option!

Amen to this. I did a A/C delete and went without it for 2 years. When the GF came down, I was forced to put it on a month ago and all I can say is I dunno HOW I went without A/C for so long. The weight savings/HP gains aren't worth it. Just turn the A/C off when you need the power. (Yes, I realize the compressor is still spinning)

What I would suggest to do is charge the A/C with some dye in it so you can see exactly where the leak is coming from.

 

[Jerkychew]

Ive never done the dye thing myself I've pretty much never used a/c on any car ive ever owned . I'm sure a good question is how much $. I tend to go the cheap route .

 

[94_TSi]

Amen to this. I did a A/C delete and went without it for 2 years. When the GF came down, I was forced to put it on a month ago and all I can say is I dunno HOW I went without A/C for so long. The weight savings/HP gains aren't worth it. Just turn the A/C off when you need the power. (Yes, I realize the compressor is still spinning)

What I would suggest to do is charge the A/C with some dye in it so you can see exactly where the leak is coming from.

Dye is bad for any refrigeration system, if you want to do it right get, borrow or even pay for somenoe to put a leak detector to it. It could be leaking in the evaporator.

 

[beihl304]

Yea find someone with a leak detecter.. That will be the best way to find the leak.. It could be leaking anywhere.. Whether under the hood or in the cab by the evaporator..

 

[arsgst]

I know where the leak is. What kind of oil should I put on the o rings?

 

[94_TSi]

I know where the leak is. What kind of oil should I put on the o rings?

There could be and probably is more than one leak.Best bet would be find them all and fix them before you pull a vacuum and recharge the system. Why do it twice, and if your paying to have it done why in the hell would you pay for it twice? As far as the lubricant for the o-rings anything really vasoline or wheel bering grease even engine oil. Dont use a whole lot just enough to cover them.

 

[Benshooter]

Charge the system with PAG oil. I'm no A/C expert but I've done that on quite a few cars to fix small leaks. I would not recommend using any petroleum based grease on the o-rings. If anything, try a little blue rtv and give it a few days to dry completely since it will be sealed in the system and will thus take longer to dry. That would be the sure fix, i've done it myself on the same car in the same spot.

 

[arsgst]

Think ill try the rtv. Ive replaced them 3 times, tried putting oil on them and nothing helps. How about JB weld

 

[Benshooter]

Well if you don't plan on ever taking the lines off again, then JB it, but that's kinda ghetto IMO

before any of that, charge the system with PAG oil. It comes in one of the small cans. Charge the system with that first, then the 134.

 

[southrneclipser]

on a r134 a/c system you must use r12 oil to lubricate all of the orings. Otherwise it will pinch and not seal. Make sure it is the correct sized ring as well. I work on a/c systems all day and they can be very tricky. Don't use and stop leak crap because you will only screw everything up and have to replace the entire system. There's not a viable or safe way to rig a/c lines. If it's a high side line, then it has over 200 psi in it. Low side will have 30-60 psi. So do it right so a line doesn't blow off down the road.

 

[arsgst]

Well I put some blue RTV around everything. Letting it sit for a couple days before I charge it up again.

 

[mcneilmg]

Charge the system with PAG oil. I'm no A/C expert but I've done that on quite a few cars to fix small leaks. I would not recommend using any petroleum based grease on the o-rings. If anything, try a little blue rtv and give it a few days to dry completely since it will be sealed in the system and will thus take longer to dry. That would be the sure fix, i've done it myself on the same car in the same spot.

You are completely correct PAG oil is the best bet