So you think I can replace o-ring ? The refrigerant is leaking already. It's probably all outthat picture is hard to show but that looks like high side. and in that larger portion, with the bolt is an Oring. they go bad on every car. but if you OPEN this you will lose refrigerant. and you will need a recharge. also, refrigerant is toxic if inhaled. DO NOT DO THIS in your garage. do it outside if you open it and try to replace the seal.
Please, have it repaired professionally by a shop well versed in electric vehicles.
1) venting the system is illegal
2) loss of refrigerant, either by venting or by a slow leak, carries some of the oil from the system, the cost of damaged compressor from low oil will cost you many 100x what you "saved" doing it yourself.
3) EV's require different refrigerant oil to maintain the dielectric properties in the compressor, std oil for R134a you get will not do that.
I am not such a shop and have nothing to gain with the advice above, but the costs of getting it wrong can exceed the value of the vehicle. Especially when many of the Leaf's use a heat pump, so you loose A/C and much of the heating system if your repair fails.
4) the "wet" you see from the leak is refrigerant oil, proving #2 above.
Thats where I saw liquid
I know you can replace it, its a replaceable part. I worked in auto repair for years. You could replace the o-ring yourself ( probably a $.05 part ) and then have a shop refill your refrigerant. since you will need some equipment for that.So you think I can replace o-ring ? The refrigerant is leaking already. It's probably all out
None of that address the oil issue, which can lead to very expensive problems.I know you can replace it, its a replaceable part. I worked in auto repair for years. You could replace the o-ring yourself ( probably a $.05 part ) and then have a shop refill your refrigerant. since you will need some equipment for that.
even if you think its all out, its probably NOT. AC is high pressure, but will NOT function if the pressure is below a threshold. so you could still HAVE pressure in the system, and gas. but not enough for it to work. so I wouldnt use that as your "im safe" to do this in my garage with the doors closed idea. you can find the fill ports ( usually a BLUE, or RED cap. or BLACK cap ) on those aluminum lines, take the cap OFF and there will be a Shrader valve ( like from a bike tire ) inside the fitting. you can press the small tip. to open it quickly, and only a bit. if you hear a HISSSSS and feel something come out.... you still got gas in the system and should have it evacuated at a shop first. or, do it outside. and wait an hour.
basically you take that 10mm bolt OUT, and pull the two halve of that hose apart and there will be an oring in there. my have to unbolt that clamp bracket at the bottom also.
also the AC orings are specific if I recall. so do ask the parts guys for the A/C compatible orings
in the end, though. the shop will take 5 minutes to fix that, then refill you. and probably only charge you for the refill and refrigerant. id take it into a shop. they will have to refill you anyways.
100% addresses the oil issue dude. when you refill the refrigerant ( at a shop ) will come with oil. any competent shop will add a few oz of oil depending on capacity to the charge.None of that address the oil issue, which can lead to very expensive problems.
Do a search on compressor failure and cost of replacement, there are some on this site..
If that is the leak and the only leak, yes the repair of the leak is simple, but if you don't get the oil right, the costs are very high.
No where to you mention the oil in your write up. Refrigerant oil is soluble in the refrigerant, so any leak of refrigerant also leaks oil.
unlike ICE car compressors which are shaft driven from a belt, the Leaf and most other hybrid are electrically driven, like home A/C and the electric motor runs in the refrigerant and oil mixture. The oil must not be at all conductive and there can't be impurities in the refrigerant/oil mix.
The picture is hard to determine what is leaking, it could be condensation or it could be oil.
Proper diagnosing and repair would involve using a "sniffer" to locate the leak, draw-down of the system to open and repair, replacing the lost oil, in the system and then recharging to the correct amount by weight. The last two are not something you mention and are not easily done at home.
With belt driven compressor a few hundred bucks, and plentiful, many are willing to chance it. belt driven also tend to have larger oil supply sumps in the compressor itself.
A compressor failure on a modern system can be very expensive on a belt driven compressor, requiring the replacement of every component in the system. You can't flush the modern condensers and evaporators and clear them of debris. There are more valves in the Leafs heat pump system than a conventional A/C that all have to be replaced on a compressor failure.
The cost quickly exceeds the value of the car. If you are willing to gamble that much, have at it. The cost of a shop that knows how to do the job right, has the correct equipment to do so, and will check are replenish the needed oil, is worth the cost. Also it gives you some legal recourse if they fail to do the job correctly. However, I would seek a shop that knows EV's and the correct procedure to do the job correctly.
Wrong, 1st EV's use different oil than shaft driven compressors, look it up. 2nd cans of refrigerant don't contain oil unless they are stated as an "oil charge" and then, what oil? There are different oils depending on compressor requirements, and type.100% addresses the oil issue dude. when you refill the refrigerant ( at a shop ) will come with oil. any competent shop will add a few oz of oil depending on capacity to the charge.
He asked if he could replace the o-ring. 100% he can.
Sometimes you just can't get the point across.Again, I don't own a shop and have nothing to gain from telling you that I think you need to take it somewhere with EV experience, the cost to repair if not done correctly is very high.
If that is oil then your AC is in trouble! You need to get the system vacumated after removing the oil and coolant for getting moisture out of the system and then let it be filled with fresh coolant and additional quantity of oil according to the service manual. That is the proper procedure. it will normally cost you about 100 euros /dollars. But then it is done like a pro would do it. Dont try to save money it is not worth the effort.
So true, but I hate to see a good car get a bad reputation from users who don't understand the complexities of the problem.Sometimes you just can't get the point across.
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