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  #1  
Old 05-21-2013, 03:44 PM
stvz11 stvz11 is offline
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Default A/C Problems

So maybe I'm an idiot but I think I just figured out the problem to my A/C issue and I think it's a costly one! A couple of weeks ago I noticed that everywhere I was parking I was leaving a small puddle of green. Even saw green hanging from the bottom of the radiator. Thought at the time to myself "that's weird, I flushed the system some what recently and used any make any model coolant (which isn't green). Kept keeping an eye on my levels and they had never changed and then all of a sudden the leaking stopped. At this point I though well OK maybe the radiator guncked up and sealed itself. It hasn't leaked since. After reading more into it little did i know, factory freon (or oil) is dyed green so that a leak can be detected easily. It worked the leak was detected easily but I thought it was the radiator! How about using a different color though! So apparently I need a new condenser as this is what most likely was leaking. Does this seem like a legit assumption?
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Old 05-21-2013, 03:53 PM
StockBlueFord StockBlueFord is offline
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Default Re: A/C Problems

Well.....does your AC blow cold still? If its been leaking for that long it should have all leaked out by now and should not work as it should.

Also, if it were from the AC at the condenser, it would have been spewing out as it is the high pressure side, not dripping.

What does your coolant tank look like? nice and full? bone dry?
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  #3  
Old 05-21-2013, 04:22 PM
stvz11 stvz11 is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by StockBlueFord View Post
Well.....does your AC blow cold still? If its been leaking for that long it should have all leaked out by now and should not work as it should.

Also, if it were from the AC at the condenser, it would have been spewing out as it is the high pressure side, not dripping.

What does your coolant tank look like? nice and full? bone dry?
Well it may have been spewing out when it was running, but I was only looking when it was parked, I didn't notice it sprayed all over anything just seemed like it all dripped off from the radiator seat. Anyways, the coolant looks excellent have not lost a drop from either the reserve tank or the radiator. The air does not work, blows hot air. Compressor won't even kick on, so I'm pretty sure it has all leaked out.
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Old 05-21-2013, 04:41 PM
StockBlueFord StockBlueFord is offline
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Default Re: A/C Problems

Well then it seems like you have a leak. Although before you just replace the condenser, see if you can actually find the hole. It may just be an o ring on one of the couplings.
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2011 Ranger XL Extended cab, 2x4, 2.3 L Duratec, Automatic, Mis-colored Leer camper shell, Ultragauge, LED plate bulbs, DDM "cree" reverse lights. Staying as stock as possible
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Originally Posted by robertmcclure View Post
and yeah, you wanna spend dat moneh on dat pusseh!
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  #5  
Old 05-21-2013, 04:59 PM
stvz11 stvz11 is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by StockBlueFord View Post
Well.....does your AC blow cold still? If its been leaking for that long it should have all leaked out by now and should not work as it should.

Also, if it were from the AC at the condenser, it would have been spewing out as it is the high pressure side, not dripping.

What does your coolant tank look like? nice and full? bone dry?
I will check this. Thanks for your help!

----------

The green i saw leaking. Was this oil or freon?Once I fix the condenser problem obviously I need it professionally vacuumed and recharged. Do you suggest anything else be done?
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Old 05-21-2013, 05:04 PM
StockBlueFord StockBlueFord is offline
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Default Re: A/C Problems

I'm not sure. probably oil as i think the freon would just float away.
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2011 Ranger XL Extended cab, 2x4, 2.3 L Duratec, Automatic, Mis-colored Leer camper shell, Ultragauge, LED plate bulbs, DDM "cree" reverse lights. Staying as stock as possible
Quote:
Originally Posted by robertmcclure View Post
and yeah, you wanna spend dat moneh on dat pusseh!
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  #7  
Old 05-21-2013, 06:07 PM
dvrich dvrich is offline
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Default Re: A/C Problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by stvz11 View Post
So maybe I'm an idiot but I think I just figured out the problem to my A/C issue and I think it's a costly one! A couple of weeks ago I noticed that everywhere I was parking I was leaving a small puddle of green. Even saw green hanging from the bottom of the radiator. Thought at the time to myself "that's weird, I flushed the system some what recently and used any make any model coolant (which isn't green). Kept keeping an eye on my levels and they had never changed and then all of a sudden the leaking stopped. At this point I though well OK maybe the radiator guncked up and sealed itself. It hasn't leaked since. After reading more into it little did i know, factory freon (or oil) is dyed green so that a leak can be detected easily. It worked the leak was detected easily but I thought it was the radiator! How about using a different color though! So apparently I need a new condenser as this is what most likely was leaking. Does this seem like a legit assumption?

Refrigerant oil has no dye in it normally and certainly not from the factory.
If green dye was added there must have been a leak at some time and 134A with dye was added to find the leak.
Use a leak detector and find the leak then go from there.
Whoever told you that factory refrigerant has dye in it shouldn't be allowed to do A/C work because they are clueless.
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Old 05-21-2013, 08:25 PM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: A/C Problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by dvrich View Post
Refrigerant oil has no dye in it normally and certainly not from the factory.
If green dye was added there must have been a leak at some time and 134A with dye was added to find the leak.
Use a leak detector and find the leak then go from there.
Whoever told you that factory refrigerant has dye in it shouldn't be allowed to do A/C work because they are clueless.
Absolutely 100% correct answer, right on up to and through the very last word of the post. And if it's puking out refrigerant as fast as you described, you should have little trouble finding the source. Just look for the source of the oily, slimy mess. Yes, oil, from the crankcase of the A/C compressor.
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