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A/C sprays refrigerant all over my lower hose

Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET PRIZM
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Every time I charge my A/C, high pressure steam starts spraying from the radiator area at the bottom. It sprays Freon all over my lower heater hose. I wonder why?
Friday, April 8th, 2022 AT 8:37 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

That is approximately where the condenser is located. Either the condenser is bad or the lines to or from it are bad.

The condenser sits in front of the radiator. It actually looks like another radiator. There are two lines that attach to it, a compressor discharge hose (6) and liquid line (3) in pic 2 below. If I had to guess, I would think the discharge hose is the one leaking. There is an o-ring where it connects.

The easiest thing to do would be to get a freon with a dye in it so you can trace where the leak starts.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Pic 1 is the condenser and pic 2 shows the connections.
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Friday, April 8th, 2022 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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  • 20 POSTS
It’s shooting out directly from the bottom and spraying the lower heater hose.
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Friday, April 8th, 2022 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Is it possible for you to take a picture of where you see it coming from? I ask because you mentioned the lower part of the radiator and the heater hoses are not down there. They run between the cylinder head and firewall. Do you mean the lower radiator hose?

Joe
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Saturday, April 9th, 2022 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Yeah, I mean the lower radiator hose and I will take a picture tomorrow. I got some UV dye refrigerant from Walmart today.
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Saturday, April 9th, 2022 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I would install the dye and see what happens. If it is on the lower rad hose, it's likely one of the hoses.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, April 9th, 2022 AT 11:03 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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  • 20 POSTS
It’s leaking and pouring on that hose.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
Steam or something keeps coming out from there.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
It’s spraying from the radiator direction and hitting that hose.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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  • 20 POSTS
Here’s some more pictures.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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These pictures at a little better.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I looked through all pics. I am seeing wet areas facing the cooling fan shroud, the hoses, and everywhere. Since it is hitting the side of the fan shroud that faces the engine, check the original hoses I suggested. This is a large leak. You should be able to see on a hose if there is damage.

If the hoses or the connections are not suspect, then we need to pull the radiator back and see if it is coming from the condenser.

Let me know.

Joe
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+1
Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
The hoses are fine I’ve checked them.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Chances are it is the condenser itself. Disconnect the battery, remove the cooling fans, loosen the radiator, and move it back far enough to get a good look at the condenser. See if there is evidence of it coming from it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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As long as I leave my A/C off until my new condenser comes in my compressor should be fine, shouldn’t it? Cause I just put a new compressor on it.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
And how long should it take to replace the condenser?
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Yes, it should be fine. It shouldn't turn on even if you try because the low-pressure switch will prevent it. It would be a good idea that before adding peg oil and recharging it, you vacuum the system down and then recharge it because it was open.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

If you have confirmed it is the condenser, I attached the directions specific to this vehicle for replacing the condenser. See pics below. Let me know if you have additional questions or if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
  • 20 POSTS
And I just replaced the receiver drier about 2 weeks ago. I won’t have to replace it again, will I?
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
  • MEMBER
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And here’s a little video I wanted to show you.
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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

The receiver should be fine. I'm not sure what I'm seeing in the video. Please explain.

Joe
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Monday, April 11th, 2022 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
ZHILL93
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In the video, especially if you watch it in slow motion, you can see water spraying out of the fan.
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Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 AT 12:00 AM

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