Air Conditioner Leak Again! Ideas?

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">My air conditioner has lost it's charge for the third time (over 3 years). First was attributed to "O" rings, second the evaporator and now, who knows. I suspect that the leak is so small that it has really never been found and O ring / evaporator change out was unnecessary.

If you've had an A/C leak and it was fixed satisfactorily, what was the component replaced. I'd like to steer my tech in the direction of a known bad component if there is one.

Thanks

</FONT f>

 

[Viper Specialty]

I just replaced the condensor on our Durango today. Combination of salt on roads in winter and rocks from road DESTROYS them. check yours??? Condensor is in front of radiator-look for an oily substance, if its a slow leak, look for junk all over it-like mud. Also, check all connections for oil residue. I doubt it was your Evap that went bad... those are RARE, as they are contained inside, away from your element. Are you sure thats what was replaced?

 

[viper spray]

Have your tech do the dye test, could be a small leak in your compressor or a line. My car had leaks in both.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Seems to me that the Tech said there can be a pinhole leak in the line...hard to find...use dye and your "blue light".

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Dye test was done during the first leak diagnosis. Dodge definitely replaced the evaporator the second time. Thought the condenser could be next, I guarantee you the car has never seen road salt!

We'll see...</FONT f>

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Diagnosed as another leaky evaporator. Only time will tell, but it's not the first time I've heard of the evaporator as being the weakest link.</FONT f>

 

[Topawam]

Ron,
Could you tell what was the problem of your A/C. It appears that I am having the same pb and since you're having the same year car, perhaps...
Thanks

 

[PBJ]

Hey guys,
Our (Chrysler) evaporators **** !!! During the summer months I would guess that I change 3 a week if not more. We have had the same distributor since '93 with our LH cars, some of those models wouldn't make it through the summer. On Vipers I have seen quite a few bad evaps, the line assemble that crosses under the car has crimp style fittings near the compressor that are prone to leaking also. The best thing to do is add dye and recharge the system and hope you can spot it when it comes back. The new style 134 leak detectors are only so good...I have had them give a signal from the vent to show a bad evap and when you pull it, you can't find a leak or signs of dye. So, who knows, hopefully you tech will find it. hope that helps.
Later,
Joe

 

[Ron]

The last leak repair turned out to be the condensor. When my tech pulled it out it was obviously leaky and oily. Replaced and so far so good. If it works through the summer of '04 it'll be a new personal record......

 

[Robert Dyck]

Ron: I sympathize with you.

Because my 97GTS had continuous AC problems. I had the extended warranty, but it was still a pain dealing with it. They replaced lines, seals, condensors, and god knows what else. It was repaired many times but always went warm.

I don't know if it was a problem they never found, but each time they thought they solved it, they simply recharged it and it worked for a while.

OR, if they really hit on the problem each time, but it developed new problems each time. I had it in for repair maybe three or four times over a period of three years.

When I finally smacked the guard rail on Flamigo Road, the AC was out again at that time. But this time I didn't have to deal with it

If you don't have a warranty, and you are getting tired of paying for it, I would suggest that you just forget it. I never relied on my AC system anyway.

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

I had to re-charge my ac once each season for the past three years. Always a real slow leak. You guessed it, "O" rings. Dodge wanted to replace the whole line (big bucks). I fixed it with some (God forgive me) Nissan o rings for about two bucks and am on my second season with no problems. (Hay, at least it wasn't a MB part!) It's worth a second look.

 

[vipeuup]

Anyone, have any "fix it" pics, of changing these A/C O rings? I think my AC needs to be charged. And want to make sure that its not leaking either. Ive brought my viper to the local dealer before. For other things. They charge a grip, cant imagine. How much they would charge to work on my AC unit. Thanks...