Somethings leaking !! Help !!

[V8TT]

Hi Guys, I woke up this morning to wash the car and I hear a hissing noise coming from under the car, so I jack the left side of the car up an look under. The hissing turns out to be Freon leaking (I THINK) Its coming from a metal hose and the substance coming out is kind of like a gell. I turned the car on and tried the A/C though and it seems fine. But the hose thats leaking seems like its going to the A/C Compressor. Can anyone confirm what this substance leaking is. And what should I do ?? Can I just patch it or should I replace the whole line and get her filled with freon ?? Thanks for any and all the help!!

AL

[Lotusespritworld]

Have you got a workshop manual (guessing not!). Would help to know what pipe it's coming from. A manual would answer all these questions and is worth it's weight in gold.

Need more info to help (personally).

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[FJ40]

What year is your car? The 97 (mine) had weak tubes that go from the back of the AC compressor to the hoses under the oil pan. Look to see that the bracket that bolts the tubes to the bottom of the oil pan has torn away from the tubes causing a leak. If it has sit down and have a cold one. The part is about $250US and a huge pain to install.

Dan

>> Edited by FJ40 on Monday 29th March 18:25

[V8TT]

FJ40 said:

What year is your car? The 97 (mine) had weak tubes that go from the back of the AC compressor to the hoses under the oil pan. Look to see that the bracket that bolts the tubes to the bottom of the oil pan has torn away from the tubes causing a leak. If it has sit down and have a cold one. The part is about $250US and a huge pain to install. Dan >> Edited by FJ40 on Monday 29th March 18:25

Its a 97 and the leak is directly above the bracket, nothing got ripped off, I believe this is repairable and I do not need any parts. Does anyone think otherwise ??? Thanks again!

AL

>> Edited by V8TT on Monday 29th March 18:44

[lotusguy]

AL,

'Otherwise'. Freon is a small molecule and a repair subjected to pressure will be temporary at best. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[kmaier]

Very common problem on the older and newer V8s. The AC manifold was originally made from alloy and would crack frequently. They were replaced later with metal ones, but the quality of these are so bad that they frequently leak due to poor workmanship. The stuff leaking out, other than R134a freon is the oil used which is different for R134a.

To repair this is a pain... it's time consuming due to the location of the compressor and the fact the manifold assembly wraps around a bit and comes out from under the engine. Carl (Sport 350 owner) put a detailed procedure on the Yahoo turboesprit list last year as he had to repair his.

My V8 had the AC compressor replaced twice and the manifold assembly replaced 3 times during warranty and the seals twice as they also can cause leaking.

In any case, I would strongly suggest you attempt tightening the manifold bolt (yes, there's only one) and then using some brake cleaner to clean everything off and check for more leaks before yanking it all down.

Regards, KM
2000 V8