Typical AC condensation, or a leak?

Hey, yall.

So, I’m trying to get to the bottom of this mystery. TLDR; Is this condensation and normal? Or, a leak that needs to be addressed?

I’ve noticed, in my passenger wheel well, a decent dripping from the AC hardline. It’s not pouring, but it’s a steady drip when running. Nothing happens when off.

What worries me is that it appears to leave a slick coating behind. It’s clear, odorless, but you can just tell it’s an “oil slick” coating on the frame. If it were just water I don’t suspect it would leave this behind. But what the hell do I know?

It may be worth noting that I’ve not (yet) had any water in the cabin on the passenger mat. I’ve also noticed, only once, some moisture on the actual AC vent inside the cab which may be unrelated.

Anyway, I know the humidity is normal for condensation, but what worries me is this little corroded area, which appears to be above the hard line, and the slick like finish left behind from the dripping.

Also worth noting the AC is blowing cold as can be. This has been ongoing for a while.

I’ve circled the area where I notice that gets dripped on that leaves the oil like finish behind.

I typically see the condensation on the hardline. But I saw what I believe to be corrosion on a line nearby, I’ve circled that as well, in the event, they are related.

 

Drive more worry less.

 

Some of us extend this line so it doesn't drip on the frame.

 

Your photos are in front of the wheel, the PS reservoir and windshield squirter jug live above that spot on the frame. Possibly unrelated to the AC?

 

True, but I don’t seem to be leaking any windshield wiper fluid. However… I did just notice this. The PS is full as hell….

but if it’s leaking, it should be empty as hell? lol. Nothing makes sense.

This condensation looks within normal to me, but I now wonder if it’s a combination of something. When I wipe at the frame there is no color to anything. So.. who knows.

 

100% usually. However, if we can prevent an issue before it becomes a problem that’s one less situation to worry about. Nothing wrong with being proactive lol.

 

I have the AC run off extension, if that’s what you’re speaking on. That’s working flawlessly. This is in addition to that.

 

Agreed, looks like PS is over full and spilling over, res looks oily in the pic. Factory fill PS is clear, so there wouldn’t be any noticeable color to the overflowing of it. As to the how that can happen

 

Should the color be a concern? Or, is it possible it was ATF? Should I just use pull some out to level, clean it up, and monitor it get it completely replaced?

 

I’d at least put it to the correct level….start there being it’s the only thing you’ve seen out of the ordinary. Just let it cool down completely, like overnight, and siphon some out to get it down to the full/cold line. Clean up what you found on the frame/ect. with a little brake clean and reevaluate after a few days.

PS fluid can be several colors depending on what it was last serviced with. Could be red ATF, clear PS fluid, and there’s even purple Royal Purple PS fluid.

 

Can confirm that this is the level when it’s cold…. 100% the problem. How it happened.. beyond me. Going to get it to level in the AM, clean the surrounding area and frame, and monitor. Thanks for all the advice!

 

Yeah, then that’s exactly what’s happening. When the fluid expands when it heats up it’s blowing out the cap.

Also is the fluid original? Looks pretty dark and see you have an 18. If you’re sucking out fluid anyway, might not be a bad idea to just suck it all out and do a change.

 

Good call. I THINK it’s been swapped once. Worst case, you’re absolutely right. Could I use the turkey baster to suck as much out as I can and fill it up? Or, just pay the price and have it professionally flushed and filled?

 

No need for a mechanic….all you need is a turkey baster or some other little fluid pump or extractor and a quart or two of PS fluid. Prestone yellow bottle will do you fine or you can get some of the better synthetic stuff if you want.

Suck it all out, fill with fresh fluid, and take it for a drive with a few turns or you can jack up the front end, start it, and turn the wheel, lock to lock, a few times.

Then just repeat this about 5 times or so, or however many you think you want to do it. Each time the fluid will get more and more clear until you’ll have 98-ish percent of the old fluid out. Once your happy just set the level to the correct mark.

Tyler (Team oil drop) has a good video of the process:
https://youtu.be/1O0tbvbl_co