What to Do When a Car Air Conditioning Condenser Leaks?
2 Answers
If there is an issue with the pipes, consider removing and replacing these hoses. If the problem is due to the compressor, where the sealing at the end of the compressor's stroke is insufficient, the compressor or its components need to be replaced. If the issue is with the expansion valve, where functional components are malfunctioning, refrigerant state changes can easily cause problems here. Timely replacement is necessary.
Last time I saw this situation at the 4S shop workshop. The most common cause of condenser leakage is when the bottom drain hole gets clogged with mud or leaves. You can try unclogging the drain pipe with a thin wire to fix it. However, if the leaking fluid is green or red, it might indicate a broken heater core, and you'll notice white mist coming from the dashboard with a sweet smell—this requires immediate stopping of the vehicle. Another possibility is the AC low-pressure pipe freezing and leaking; turn off the AC and wait ten minutes to see if it improves. Remember to wear gloves when handling it yourself, as the refrigerant is corrosive. If you're unsure, don't tamper with it—last time, an owner disassembled the condenser themselves and ended up releasing all the refrigerant, costing over 800 just for refilling the refrigerant.
