A/C Refrigerant Leak - Possible Clue?

[m0ng00se]

Well, i have had a really bad A/C refrigerant leak on my 98 GP GT Coupe. Its more like a refrigerant hole. As soon as i try to recharge the system, the refrigerant comes straight back out.

I could hear it coming out in the front of the car by the radiator on the drivers side. So i put in some UV dye refrigerant in and couldnt find any traces of UV dye around the front hoses/drier of the car. Finally i took out the drier and looked at it.

The hole facing the firewall had lots of traces of UV dye inside of it, which seemed normal. But the hole facing the passenger side of the car had no traces of the UV dye in it. Neither did the hose that connects to it. So does that mean that the refrigerant is being lost in the drier?

I really want to get this AC fixed before summer kills me.

Thanks in advance,
-Ryan

[jd-autotech]

it sounds like ur condenser has a hole in it. its in front of of the raditor

[Scrapper]

look for oil on your hoses that go to air.if you never pumped it down could be cause. but you say you got dye in you should be able to see where it's going? have you tryed a leak detecter.good luck....

[m0ng00se]

Just wondering, but what would lead you to believe its the condenser?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by m0ng00se

I could hear it coming out in the front of the car by the radiator on the drivers side. So i put in some UV dye refrigerant in and couldnt find any traces of UV dye around the front hoses/drier of the car. Finally i took out the drier and looked at it.

Are you referring to the accumulator? Not really a receiver-dryer based on the design and function. Just to clear up the terminology so we understand what you are saying.

[m0ng00se]

Yes, the accumulator. Thanks for helping me with my terminology. Definately not good with A/C systems :P

[m0ng00se]

Okay, seeing as im not excellent with A/C systems, im considering taking this to a shop to get it worked on. I've heard lots of things about getting your A/C system vacuumed after replacing parts. I definately cant do this myself i dont think, and i dont want to take any shortcuts, so a shop seems like the only route to go.

What would be the best thing to do? Should i buy the part myself and tell the shop to replace the part, vacuum and recharge my system, or just let them find the leak and do everything from there? I really dont want to dish out a lot of money since im only 16 and can hardly keep up with gas prices, let alone repairs.

[Scrapper]

no leave alone you can get hurt unless you have a guy no's what he's doing let them do if you have any douts..plus your warn.or atleast get manual--haynes...good luck.