Freon Leak A lack of cold air blowing through your vents could have a number of culprits, but the simplest and most common explanation is a lack of refrigerant. Many times, this is caused by a Freon leak due to a failed O-ring, seal or hose. Discovering these leaks early is important.
Common AC leak Locations. Since your AC compressor is mounted to your engine and your engine moves as you accelerate and decelerate, soft refrigerant lines have to be used to carry refrigerant to and from the compressor. These soft lines can often leak at the crimps or where the lines bend.
Natural Wear-and-Tear
A defective gasket, seal or “o” ring leaking hose, or other component may cause a refrigerant leak in the system. Additionally, some refrigerant does naturally escape over time, but it escapes in such tiny amounts it would take a very long time to cause the vehicle to blow warm air.
You see moisture or oil stains
Another sign that the AC in your car might be leaking is if you notice stains or moisture around the air conditioner. For instance, if you find oily-looking stains near the compressor, condenser, or hoses, you likely have a refrigerant leak on your hands.
Seal or Hose Deterioration: Age, heat, and vehicle vibration can cause seals and hoses to degrade, creating a potential leak situation. Compromised O-Rings and Gaskets: These parts can wear out over time and harbour refrigerant leaks, especially if the car air conditioning maintenance has been neglected.
Most leaks begin as a “pinhole” leak, or a “champagne” leak. Many air conditioning experts call it a “champagne” leak because the freon begins to bubble at the source of the hole. Normally, this occurs at the location of the evaporator coil, but is not the only place a leak can stem from.
While the refrigerant in your vehicle can escape even without a leak, it's often not enough to cause significant issues unless you've failed to top up the refrigerant for years. When the lack of refrigerant becomes significant though, it can cause a number of problems, including an overheating driver in the summer sun.
One of the simplest ways for a mechanic to determine if there is a refrigerant leak is through a visual inspection. The technician will look for oil stains or residue around the A/C system components, including the compressor, hoses, and connections. Oil stains may indicate that refrigerant has leaked from the system.
The average cost of car A/C repair is between $384 and $445. Find out how much it costs to have a repair shop fix your car's air conditioning.
Specifically, the evaporator core leaks water from under the passenger side of the engine compartment when the air conditioner is being used. This is normal use.
Visible Refrigerant Leaks
You can tell that it's freon if it looks like thin grease in liquid state. Drivers will often find it around the compressor, lines, or inside the cabin or pooled underneath the vehicle. Eventually the loss of refrigerant will cause the A/C system to no longer work.
A very common source of lost refrigerant or oil in a functioning, leak-free system is at the compressor shaft seal.
A drip or two of water leaking from under your car is normal, but if it is increasing in frequency and volume, your car needs to be checked.
Prepare a solution of soapy water, using about one liter of water and 0.5 teaspoon of dish soap. Spray the joints of the refrigerant lines with the solution. Look for large bubbles at the joints. Bubbles will indicate a Freon leak.
A professional mechanic can identify the cause of the leak and perform the necessary repairs to get your AC system back to optimal performance. To prevent AC leaks from happening, it is crucial to have your AC system regularly serviced and maintained.
Warm Air from the Vents
If the compressor is fine, it will push cold air into the cabin of your vehicle. If you begin to notice warm or even hot air coming out of the vents, this is a clear indication that the compressor is not functioning properly.
Q: Can I drive my car if the AC is leaking refrigerant? A: While you can, it's not advised due to environmental concerns and potential damage to your AC system.
If the system is still under warranty, most repairs are worth it. But if the warranty has expired or is invalid, repairing a leak can be very expensive. Plus, if it's out-of-warranty, chances are the unit has either been neglected or is too old to consider repairing.
One of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs a Freon recharge is that your vehicle will be blowing warm air, even after your vehicle has been running for some time. If your refrigerant gets too low, there will simply not be enough “coolant” to cool the air as it is passed through your evaporator coil.
The actual leak repair depends on the component that's leaking. A simple O-ring can cost just a few dollars plus labour, but a new air conditioning line or condenser can cost hundreds of dollars. All-in, you can expect to pay $150 to $1,000 or more for a leak repair.
Improperly attached ventilation system: improper attachment means that the drainage of your AC condensation is not operating as it should. Instead of draining under the car, you might find a leak pooling at the bottom of your car's interior.
Freon Leak: What Should I Do If My AC Refrigerant Is Leaking? The short answer is: You should turn off your AC unit and unplug it from the power source. If the leak is small, you can try to repair it yourself using a sealant or tape.
Unlike oil changes, you should not need to change or refill your vehicle's AC freon. While trivial amounts of freon can be naturally lost over time, your air conditioner is a sealed system designed to keep freon recirculating—often for the full lifespan of your vehicle.