AC guys please help

Does this look like a possible leak? Looks like oily residue on this line? Can the joint fail from where the hardline meets the rubber line?

 

100%

 

Any joint can fail

 

Yes, yes, and yes. Use hot soapy water and a rag to clean it. Then watch for the oil to return. Those crimped connections are known to leak. The fix is to replace the line.

 

I'm thinking about just replacing that line. I'm reading about others having the same issue leaking from that joint. Dammit.

So does our trucks have a separate accumulator/drier or is it integrated with the condensor as one unit? And if so, do I need to replace it too because of that leak?

 

From your pic, yeah probably needs replaced. It's hard to spot a leak from a pic.
The receiver drier is built into the condenser. If the system has been empty or open to the atmosphere for a while, yes replace the condenser.
If not, change out that line as quickly as you can. In other words, don't take the line off and then go have a beer. Then pull a long, deep vacuum before recharging.
If you replace the condenser add 1oz of PAG46 to the inlet of the condenser.

 

With the help from some good folks on TW I now know how. Til I sleep again lol.
Pressure Switch:

 

Probably too late, but if you haven't cleaned it don't. Get your hands on a black light and see if there is bright green dye there. It's hard to tell from the angle but could that be motor oil from a sloppy oil change?

 

I haven't cleaned it yet, so that's a good idea. Thing is though, does the refrigerant have dye in it from the factory (Toyota)?

 

Mine did

 

^ditto this^

Just checked my 2011 and it has dye in it.

 

So I finally got a blacklight to see if it's truly a leak by that hose joint and well....here it is....

I think there's no question that it's leaking from that joint now. Now I hope replacing it won't be too difficult.

 

too bad no one took my bet

 

Yea it was good advice to get a blacklight to see if it was motor oil or ac dye. I was thinking motor oil because the oil filter is right there. I was about to clean it up too but glad I waited to check it with a blacklight. Now I know for certain why I'm low on freon and exactly what needs to be replaced to stop the leak. I'm glad I didn't just add freon and kept driving. Thanks for the tip.

 

Just wanted to update. I finally replaced the hose today. Was easy as pie, 2 bolts and out it went. New one came with new O rings so it just popped right in. I also replaced the expansion valve and small filter inside the small metal hose along with all the O-rings on both metal hoses going into the expansion valve and those on either side of it.

Then after everything was reconnected, I pulled a 30 minute vacuum and let it sit for an hour and checked for any pressure difference and there was none. Woo hoo, no leaks. So I recharged with 21 ozs of R134a and now you can hang meat in my truck.


That's at idle at 80 degrees ambient with AC on full blast. I'm a happy camper.

Thanks for all the help!

 

I didn’t even know that was possible.

 

Me too. I was hoping to at least get down to mid 40's. But man.

 

Step 9 https://itstillruns.com/recharge-freon-toyota-tacoma-7615207.html

 

Yeah, that cold and your evaporator is going to ice up big time.

 

yes, 32 degrees is freezing, so yes in theory at 27.5 degrees he can freeze meat