AC Leaks
 

So this is mostly a rhetorical question...but can someone explain to my why my 134a system leaks EVERY SINGLE ****ING YEAR?

I am not exaggerating at all. I've owned this truck for 6 years and I've done major AC repairs EVERY SINGLE YEAR. I've now replaced every part of the system but the condenser.

Now, it's leaking at the place where the hard lines bolt to the compressor. The O-rings there are literally 1 year old, as I put in a new compressor just last year...and now they're leaking already.


What the actual ****....

not sure if you want a reply....did you lube the orings with pag oil. after part replacement are you oil balancing the system.

That's because there is a lack of oil in the system

Mostly just complaining...ugh.

Yes, the compressor that I put in last year (denso if memory serves) stated it came with the appropriate amount of oil already in it. I don't recall for certain if the O rings were lubed, but they didn't leak when the system was all put together. I pulled a vacuum on the system and left it for 30 minutes to ensure it was sealed tight. I do this every time.

Care to explain? I don't have any other symptoms of low oil in the system.

Have you had the system evacuated after taking it apart?

Generally what happens is some component leaks, so all the refrigerant leaks out. I replace the broken part, pull a vacuum on the system to remove moisture and ensure it's sealed, then I re-fill it. So in a sense, yes, it get's evacuated.

Once you get a leak and those seals now Jane came into contact to outside air they usually crack. It is recommended (even in the FSM) to replace them all.

Did you use the correct o rings? If it's been leaking every year why didn't you add some die in with the fill to ID where the leak is?

...every o ring in the system is to be replaced every single time the system is exposed to air?

The o rings don't leak every year, the o rings are a new leak. First year it was the accumulator, then the hard line on the passenger fender, then the evap core. It's always a different leak.

buy your next set of seals from the dealer.

oil resides in every ac component. The accumulator is also a sump for oil. when condensers, accumulators, evaporators are replaced...oil must be added to replace the oil that leaves with the old part. There is a oil balance chart in service information that tells you the amounts to add when replacing a component.

Yes sir. It gets into a little bit of chemistry

Sounds like you're maybe chasing a problem by not doing everything right at the same time. I had my system come apart on me as while back when changing my heater core. I read up on some stuff and from what it sounds like, you have to replace the accumulator and orifice tube when the system is exposed. Apparently you can also have issues with too much oil in the system. A/c is not my thing so I'm only going off what I've read and heard. I took my truck to a shop to have them recharge it and they told me my accumulator and tube was still fine. So who knows. Apparently I got the tube hooked back up and taken to the shop quick enough for things to still be alright.

fixed orfice no...not unless its plugged or you had compressor failure.
accumulator...it has a desiccant that when exposed to air will become moisture laden. Moisture in an ac system reduces efficiency and can become acidic when mixed with oil and refrigerant. Some desiccants came be reclaimed; most cannot.