Just noticed sign of fluid leak at the air conditioner of my i30 (7 years old). The advice from Hyundai is to get it replaced for $1800! I am just wondering what is the cheapest way to fix up the air conditioner. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Regards,
/WhyTea
Shows how much you know about A/C systems on cars. At one end of the A/C system, it’s a gas, at the other, it’s a liquid. And typically in any A/C system, there is oil and sometimes fluorescent dye.
The most common place for an A/C system to leak is via a failed compressor seal or through a puncture to the condenser. Both places that the “gas” in the system is a liquid.
Yes I’m not a mechanic but from what I know that’s what the compressor is for. At atmospheric pressure Freon is in gas form but under pressure from the compressor it turns into liquid. No? Shows how much you know about chemistry.
I wasn't talking about "Freon", and for what it's worth, "Freon" is a brand name, not a type of gas or liquid. (But you would know that, being a chemist and all.)
I was also not talking about "Freon" at atmospheric pressure, so your point here is moot. You were talking about what is in an air conditioning system and saying that it's a gas, when the fact is, an A/C system is not at "atmospheric pressure" and that the "Freon" in an A/C system, at pressure, is mostly a liquid…
Shows how much you know about chemistry.
@pegaxs: Don't really get your point on Freon being a brand name?
Ironic but my point is that any Freon leaks would be gas and not liquid so your point about Freon as a liquid in the system is moot. I have read OP wrongly to think he meant refrigerant when liquid could the oil but thank you for your condescending replies.
Freon is in gas form
You mentioned Freon. Freon is not a "gas" it's a brand name for a range of halocarbon (CFC/HFC/HCFC) type products. From memory, Du Pont or one of its subsidiary companies owns the name "Freon".
And no, the system would leak liquid if it is from the compressor, as the compressor is compressing low pressure gas into a high pressure liquid. The high pressure side is most likely the leaking side as it's the side under "higher pressure" and would be the most likely place to leak. Once the liquid has leaked out and allowed to rapidly expand in atmosphere, it would then turn into a gas. Thus, it leaks out "as a liquid" that then turns into a gas after is has escaped. It doesn't turn into a gas before it leaks out (unless almost all the refrigerant has leaked out and there isn't enough to compress…)
Added to this is A/C systems are also filled with other things that are not "gas", such as the lubricant and sometimes florescent dye. These are also in the A/C system and are used, so when the liquefied R12/R134a/R… leaks out, it evaporates, but the oil and florescent dye remain and this is what is often noticed when servicing a broken A/C system.
If it is from the AC it should be gas instead of liquid.
So, back to your original point, no, an A/C system is filled mostly with liquid (except for about 1/2 way through the evaporator and the evaporator return to compressor hose). An A/C system's contents are mostly either in the form of a compressed, liquidised halocarbon refrigerant, lubricant and/or florescent dye, so anything that has leaked from an A/C system most likely to have leaked in a liquid form.
Shows how much you know about chemistry.
Thanks for your condescending replies.
@pegaxs: Guess in your world Pepsi is not a liquid? LOL you win. I’ll give you A+ for the long reply.
Shows how much you know about A/C systems on cars
My condescending reply was in response to yours.
@trex: My AC pooped itself out of the high side pressure sensor about 2 years back and there was plenty of liquid.
Are you sure it’s not condensate?
Or is it oil coming from the pump?
Take it to another local reputable mechanic or air conditioner specialist. Dealers aren’t renowned for finding the most cost effective way to fix something.
Any good aircon repairer would you recommend?
What do you mean fluid leak? From where?
The Hyundai car dealer mechanic said it was oil leak from the aircon compressor.
You are better off taking it to an air conditioning specialist. They will do the job correctly for a start.
If it needs a new compressor, look to get the part from someone who isn’t a stealership. You will find that it’s a common part, usually made by Denso or Bosch (Hyundai seem to use Hanon) and will cost about a 3rd of the price if you source it elsewhere.
Replacing an A/C compressor should not be $1,800 and it definitely sounds like there is a lot of dealer premium stacked on top of that.
Also, don’t use the A/C until you have it fixed. If it’s leaking and losing oil, you risk doing more damage and there is no point, because there is a good chance it has lost gas and won’t be working that well anyway.
Is it still cold? The typical leak from the aircon is water, just condensate. Needs to be replaced each time you flush the blinker fluid.
Yes, always replace the blinker fluid :)
My first car has a leaking AC. What happened was they put special coloured gas to see where it was leaking then said $2k fix.
What I did was went home and superglued the leaking hose and got it filled it for $20. Lasted all summer. Did it every year until I sold the car.
Are you sure it's from the air conditioner? If it is from the AC it should be gas instead of liquid.