2003 Durango 4.7

[conflag98]

Good evening. This is going to be a dumb question just so you know. When the condenser is leaking, (sounds like a pinhole, with a hiss and about an 8 inch round wet patch on the fins) is it leaking out anti-freeze or freon? If it's just freon can I let it go until spring or will it mess with something else?
Also, is there a way to fix the leak instead of replacing the unit?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[DeltaP]

The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.
A/C Condenser= freon, Engine cooling system Radiator= antifreeze.
Your a/c will soon quit cooling and if left like that the system will leak out completely and the freon gets displaced by air and moisture. The longer it's left that way the more the repair expense. It's a high pressure system and there is no reliable way to quick fix it other than replace it.

[conflag98]

Thanks for the info. On a two hour trip, the temp gauge was fluctuating. (it normally stays at half but was going up to three quarters) It seemed to do better at highway speed. When I got home I saw smoke and heard the hissing. I got the bumper off and removed the two bolts holding the condenser to the radiator just to confirm where it was coming from. As I said, it appeared to be coming from the condenser, which had the large wet spot, and the radiator appeared dry in the corresponding location with nothing apparently spraying or dripping.

Is there a case where a leaking/failing condensor would cause temperature fluctuation?

[aleekat]

No.

[conflag98]

Thanks for the info. Just thought I'd update-I got the vehicle warm again and got a good look between the overflow tank and the radiator. I took out the two bolts and moved it slightly out to get a better look. I saw some bubbling on the radiator fins where it was hissing. Putting a replacement in tomorrow. Thanks for all the help and everyone have a good day!

[conflag98]

I wanted to update again. Got the radiator in and the car did good for a couple days. The operating temp even went down a little. Then I smelled anti-freeze, and saw some on the belts and in the engine compartment. When I looked underneath, you could see it running out of the front of the water pump. So, back apart, though thankfully not all the way, and a new pump. I took it on a couple longish test drives with no problems, then on a two hour trip. When I arrived I saw a small drip onto the ground. No change in temp the whole way, and just a little fluid around the overfill cap and some on that side of the radiator. I drove it around town, then back two hours. I left it running, checked it all over, everything was dry, even where it had been wet before. I turned it off and watched it for awhile to see if it was going to start dripping, which it didn't.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the help and have a good day!