Air Conditioner - R134a With Leak Sealer
It started about a month ago when I turned my AC on the first time this season and found it didn't work. I brought it to the dealer who serviced/recharged it ($190) with R134a with the dye but couldn't find the small leak. The AC worked for about 3 weeks, but now it's failed again. I brought it to a different service station, and they advised me that it would cost $1,200 to replace the evaporator and a hose in my PT GT. I read an article (on line) that said this is a common rip-off item. The problem is usually just an o-ring or gasket, but they charge you for the evaporator of compressor. I am considering using one of those "R134a with Leak Sealer" kits you see at auto parts stores. http://store.lenzdist.com/product.php?xProd=517&xSec=37 The kits with hose and valve cost about $25. If it doesn't work, then I can pay the $1200 to fix it. Another option would be to refill the system every couple weeks. The R134A costs less than $7 for 12 oz. I could refill it 170 times for the cost of that repair. Twice a month, 7 months a year, and that will last me 12 years, probably twice as long as my '03 PT will last. Lenz Distributing, Inc. > Castrol R134a With Leak Sealer Do these products work? It's obviously a pin-hole leak since it takes 3 weeks to die. Will these products possibly damage the compressor? I don't care if it damages the evaporator since it's busted anyway. Is it easy enough for a novice like me to do? Is there a flaw in my logic?
Answer:
The original work was just to check for where the leak was. It was understood that they weren't fixing the problem. Only diagnosing it. The service station I went to today is simply more convenient. you can use the leak seal product, but ive heard some stories of slightly diminished cooling because of it. DO NOT use sealer! It will clog your system and if it doesn't fix it then you still have to get it fixed and the when they find out there is sealer in the system they may refuse to work on it. It can clog up the A/C machines.