A/C leaking - thoughts?

I've gone through 2 cans of A/C this summer so far. Yes it leaks.

Before I start tearing it apart are they common areas that the A/C system leaks in the Tacoma? I'm comfortable replacing A/C parts. I have the gauges/vacuum pump and other common parts (o-rings - schrader) values and such. The compressor is buried and would kick myself if it was something simple and common to replace.

So any thoughts/advice are appreciated.

 

AFAIK, there's nothing special about Tacoma A/C; failure is most likely to occur at a connection, but there are a multitude of other points at which it occur as well. Despite being a pretty accomplished shade-tree mechanic myself, with a respectable tool box, A/C is shop-job. The biggest thing is that the refrigerant needs to be recovered (it's illegal to deliberately vent it to atmosphere) so unless you have the proper service tools, take it to a shop.

 

This recent thread might give some tips, especially using UV dye before tearing into replacing parts.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nly-36000kms-or-23000miles-what-gives.681518/

 

Well, since the newer vehicles have dye (I believe green) already mixed in, start looking for oily film and green dye at all connections. If you have access to a hand held leak detector, check the same connections, and run back and forth across the condenser. If after all your checking, and you do not find anything, the only way you are going to find a leak is to pressurize system with Nitrogen and a hand held leak detector, and you can spray some soap solution around connections and look for bubbles. If you don't find anything, check all around compressor. I would guess evaporator is last resort to check as that's going to be worse than getting to the compressor. Your system is old and if you have never opened it up, connection, hoses and o ring areas would be my first guess. Good luck

 

Appreciate the lecture but am fully aware of what is legal or not. If it needs to be addressed immediately I will take it to my local dealer (Rahal - excellent). If I wait until the fall there will be no A/C to worry about in the system.

 

Also make sure to look over your condenser.. they can get damaged and start to leak.

 

I don't think mine has the green dye mixed in - maybe to old. May try the UV Dye first since the green dye get's a bit messy. I'm assuming the UV dye is different than the green dye..... Going to the local auto parts store tomorrow...

 

On my 2nd gen, I had leaks at the high-pressure fitting going into the front of the condenser. As anecdotal and unscientific as it gets, but it's easy to access - just open the hood and look down behind the grille.

The dealer replaced the O-ring and recharged the system. It leaked the same joint within a year. The second time, the dealer sanded away the corrosion on the seating surfaces then replaced the O-ring. That appeared to have fixed it "for good".

 

Was looking at a A/C dye injector kit for the r-1234yf hvac but that seems to be a bit expensive for a one time use ($150). Was thinking of taking it to the dealer when the inspection is up in the winter but may have a crack at the o-rings next time the A/C dies completely. I can get a whole set of o-rings from rock auto for about $25.

 

You need dye in the system and a UV light.

 

Lowe's sells a Craftsman UV flashlight. That'll help find any dye. Also there's an expansion valve at the connection to the firewall. Pull the rubber seal back and look in there as well

 

The O-ring was cheap at the dealer, less than $2. All the cost was dealer labor to evacuate/recharge the system.

I'm not sure if the fitting on the front lower portion of the condenser is more prone to leaking than usual on these trucks, from body movement relative to the engine/frame. What's the condition of your radiator support bushings?

 

I worked on Thermo King refrigeration for years, and we used driers on the systems like the old R12 car systems did. Just looking at my Tacoma, I do not see a drier. We never used dye in the system as it would destroy the desiccant in the drier. I am sure the new systems with dye already in the system is ok. You might be on the right track to wait and see if o rings are leaking. Even without the dye, there should be a little film of refrigeration oil around the leak area, or find a friend with a hand held leak detector.