Hi there--A/C in my '97 4x4 Dakota gave out, maybe permanently this time. It had to be recharged twice last summer, did the dye thing, but garage didn't find a leak. Recharged last week, A/C worked fine and then quit after two days. Garage says that there's a fissure in the compressor coil. Does that sound likely? The $1000 to rip out the dash isn't really in my budget. Are there any options for sealing a leak like this beyond replacing the part?

THANKS for your help. Being female doesn't exactly help me get straight answers from the guys at the shop. . .

 

Sounds likely, if its cutting out like that, it is usually a leak somewhere. and the die dosen't work somewhere you cannot see it.

also thats why i like forums also, there are some very knowledgable 16yr olds that have been working on their parents vehicles for over half their life and know what their talking about almost as well as a formal tech

ps - welcome!

 

Do you mean the Evaporator Coil is leaking?

They used to leak all the time on Jeep Grand Cherokees in that year range. Not sure if the the Dakota uses the same evap.

That price does sound correct to replace the evap.... if a dealer is doing it at $90 an hour.

You may be able to shop around and find a better price at an independant shop.

I am unaware of any other way to fix the problem without changing the part.

 

Also... when you install dye into the A/C system and cannot find the leak anywhere it is usually leaking from the evap coil.

You can take a freon leak detector and hold it to the vents. If it goes off... you can bet its the evap coil.