AC Leak - 2001 GTP

[zepol]

Okay I finally have my GTP almost cherry brand new. I'm getting almost 21 MPG highway and reg street combined. For the past two years each summer I had to re-fill my AC with freon in order to get it to blow cold. That was until this year.

I went to fill it up this year and after I was all finished I heard a hissing sound. Yup I have a leak. I was so pissed I just walked into the house and didn't look to see where the leak my be. It didn't seem to be the compressor though based on where the sound was coming from as it seemed to be coming from a little closer to the driver side of the vehicle and the compressor is on the pass side.

Any suggestions on the best way to locate a leak in the AC system? Thanks! Arizona is NOT the place you wanna drive without and AC in the summer with leather seats. HELP!

[brcidd]

The number one leak location on your model yr is compressor shaft seal and/or body o-rings (compressor belly). Is front of compressor clutch oily? Is body (belly) of compressor oily? More than like it is- Kits are available on-line to rebuild this compressor if you have some specific compressor tools.

I do about 3 or 4 a week in the busy season.

[zepol]

Originally Posted by brcidd

The number one leak location on your model yr is compressor shaft seal and/or body o-rings (compressor belly). Is front of compressor clutch oily? Is body (belly) of compressor oily? More than like it is- Kits are available on-line to rebuild this compressor if you have some specific compressor tools.

I do about 3 or 4 a week in the busy season.

I didn't even check anything. Like I said I was filling it up last night after work when it was already dark outside and I was so deflated I turned the car off shut the hood and walked inside holding back the tears.

I will check to see if the compressor is oily. Do you live in Phoenix?

[olopezm]

I-ve seen cans a/c recharge with some dye in it, and a set of UV flaslight and glasses for sale at autozone, you might want to give it a try in case the compressor is not your problem. STAY AWAY from R-134 with leak stop additives, it's crap!

Oscar.

[zepol]

Originally Posted by olopezm

I-ve seen cans a/c recharge with some dye in it, and a set of UV flaslight and glasses for sale at autozone, you might want to give it a try in case the compressor is not your problem. STAY AWAY from R-134 with leak stop additives, it's crap!

Oscar.

Thanks bro. I will be looking at this over the weekend. If it's not obviously the compressor I will make sure to get the dye your talking about.

Wow...you mention the stop leak additives. Crazy thing is I never used that before even though I had a slow leak that caused me to have to fill it up each summer after going the winter without filling it up. My brother came over with a can of the stop leak and right after I put it in is when I started hearing the hissing sound and knew that I was done. DOH!

[zepol]

Does anyone have any more information about the compressor repair kits? I found a new OEM GM compressor delivered to my door for 289.00 (Not sure it's the compressor but I'm researching my options) What makes the most sense to do? By the repair kit (Which I do not know how to fix and do not have the special tool/s mentioned above.) or have a shop do the repair or just buy a new compressor and install it myself? I know very little about AC but my brother is a certified AC tech albeit not car AC's but I'm sure the concepts are the same.

[olopezm]

You're welcome!

If you find the compressor is the culprit I would just replace it myself, AFAIK it's not a difficult task, just make sure the remaining gas still in the system is recovered in an appropriate container and don't just throw it into the atmosphere.

Rebuilding a compressor might cost you nearly the same as getting a new one anyway and taking it to a certified shop will cost you nearly twice the 289 dlls you've already seen.

When you install the new compressor the only special tools you need is a vacuum pump and a good set of gauges (available at most autoparts stores). I think getting both tools is a good inversion and the pump will work not only for A/C system, but many other tasks.

About the stop leak... it's just crap... LOL when the additive enters in contact with air it will solidify causing the leak "to stop". The problem is when you open the system the whole thing will vent and if the system hasn't been properly flushed it will ruin it... If you already used it you might want to be more careful with the system.

Oscar.