Fluid leak from car, Aircon maybe ?..

[ledger]

I know this is going to be very difficult to diagnose over t'internet. When I came back to my car after it was parked up for 10 mins on Saturday there was a stream of fluid running out from underneath it. I could see a dripping from the underside of the engine (though couldn't pinpoint the source). Drove the 5 minute journey home to investigate and the dripping had stopped by the time I got home.

Anyway the fluid was verly similar to water in it's consistency with no obvious colour of odour. The power sterring fluid, brake fluid and coolant levels ae all fine. All I could think of was aircon, does this contain fluid, how can you check the level (2001 Focus).

thanks

[up-the-dubs]

A/C uses a condensor (sp) to chill the air . A side effect as such of this is that it produces condensation - water. If the car is sitting with the A/C on, yes there will be a puddle of water under it, there is no problem. Nothing to worry about, however if you've never seen it before, it'd be wise to confirm that it was the a/c, just to be safe.

[simpo two]

My Jaguar did this - it turned out to be a fractured screenwash bottle (TADTS).

[mutt k]

up-the-dubs said:

A/C uses a condensor (sp) to chill the air . A side effect as such of this is that it produces condensation - water. If the car is sitting with the A/C on, yes there will be a puddle of water under it, there is no problem. Nothing to worry about, however if you've never seen it before, it'd be wise to confirm that it was the a/c, just to be safe.

What he said.

Also wonder how many less than reputable garages take less than knowledgable customers for a ride over this one. Cue shaking of head, sucking of teeth and several hours non-existent labour tracing non-existent problem

[up-the-dubs]

mutt k said:

up-the-dubs said: A/C uses a condensor (sp) to chill the air . A side effect as such of this is that it produces condensation - water. If the car is sitting with the A/C on, yes there will be a puddle of water under it, there is no problem. Nothing to worry about, however if you've never seen it before, it'd be wise to confirm that it was the a/c, just to be safe. What he said. Also wonder how many less than reputable garages take less than knowledgable customers for a ride over this one. Cue shaking of head, sucking of teeth and several hours non-existent labour tracing non-existent problem

And while he has the engine out, the big end needs replacing!

[ledger]

cheers guys. I am keeping an eye on the fluids now everytime we make a journey to be sure it is nothing else never noticed the puddle before, but it's pretty rare I leave my wife and daughter in the car with the aircon on for that length of time.

out of curiosity is there any fluid in an aircon system then ?.

[Raify]

ledger said:

cheers guys. I am keeping an eye on the fluids now everytime we make a journey to be sure it is nothing else never noticed the puddle before, but it's pretty rare I leave my wife and daughter in the car with the aircon on for that length of time. out of curiosity is there any fluid in an aircon system then ?.

AFAIK, it's much like a 'fridge, with CFC-type (obviously not CFC's anymore) liquid in the system to enable cooling.

[LuS1fer]

The air con is filled with gas. The water you et in a puddle under the aircon is simply like the water you get on your beer bottle when you take it out of the fridge. Just smell the water to check it's not coolant.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Get a tiny bit on a finger and taste - if it's really sweet it's antifreeze / coolant.

I suspect it's condensation from the air con though, mine does that.

[Pigeon]

up-the-dubs said:

A/C uses a condensor (sp) to chill the air.

Nope It's the evaporator that chills the air - ie. the bit inside which the refrigerant evaporates, taking up heat as it does. Like getting petrol on your hands and it's cold while it evaporates.

There is also a condensor; this gets hot, and is usually near the rad.

Raify said:

ledger said: cheers guys. I am keeping an eye on the fluids now everytime we make a journey to be sure it is nothing else never noticed the puddle before, but it's pretty rare I leave my wife and daughter in the car with the aircon on for that length of time. out of curiosity is there any fluid in an aircon system then ?. AFAIK, it's much like a 'fridge, with CFC-type (obviously not CFC's anymore) liquid in the system to enable cooling.

I'm pretty sure they mostly use R134a these days, which is a hydrofluorocarbon. Less ozone-damaging than chlorofluorocarbons but more so than straight hydrocarbons. They could just as well use propane or a similar hydrocarbon to minimise the ozone damage - it would be much less of a fire hazard than a tank of petrol and the associated injection equipment - but this wouldn't make enough money for the chemical companies, so said companies have teamed up with the ninnies to ensure that the more profitable and more ozone-damaging alternative is used.

The refrigerant is mixed with a lubricant for the benefit of the compressor, and also a fluorescent dye; if the system leaks, which they all do, the refrigerant evaporates rapidly and leaves no trace, but the accompanying fluorescent dye patch can be spotted with a UV lamp.

Antifreeze also contains fluorescent dye, but it tastes sweet - it's rather nice actually, shame it's toxic.

[up-the-dubs]

Pigeon said:

up-the-dubs said: A/C uses a condensor (sp) to chill the air. Nope It's the evaporator that chills the air - ie. the bit inside which the refrigerant evaporates, taking up heat as it does. Like getting petrol on your hands and it's cold while it evaporates. There is also a condensor; this gets hot, and is usually near the rad.

Thanks, Did'nt realise that. Knew it, but never put 2 and 2 together.

[trevorw]

If you had the A/C on this will just be the Condensation dripping from the condensor thingy, usually on the left hand side of engine bay. It will leave a small puddle of water, like if you had just cleaned your back window.

I get the same on my Focus.

Go for a drive with out it on, Stop swithc off engine and leave for about 5 mins, check for puddle if no puddle then should be just the A/C

Then on way back turn A/C on do the same, if puddle appears then it will confirm it.

Make sense?

[pieman1]

Quite likely it is either the Engine oil of Gear BOx oil . .I had a similar problem . .After servicing and changing the gearbox fluid the mechanic neglected to tighen the bolts that seal the gearbox . .I had something dripping . .All it took was to tighten them a bit and it stopped . .It only leaked when the car was cold/stopped and the oil settled in the sump . .