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Old 05-03-2004, 04:40 AM   #1
NateDogg
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 6467
Join Date: May 2001
Location: philadelphia, pa, usa
Vehicle:
1999 Impreza 2.5 RS
silver

Default weird oil leak/AC leak?

A while ago I noticed a small amount of oil on and around a bolt on the backside of the radiator at the bottom driver’s side. I wiped it off and a couple weeks later its back. It’s only enough to make a stain and from what I can see it doesn’t seem to be coming from anywhere, if the radiator is leaking it should be coolant shouldn’t it? I also noticed the same issue on the air conditioner core (I don’t know if that’s what its called but the radiator type thing that the H line coming from the AC goes into) where the line from the AC meets the core there is also an oil stain. Can anyone explain this or perhaps tell me what to look for? I don’t really understand the AC system but if anyone could post the general principals behind how this unit operates that would be a great help. Thanks in advance.

Nate
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Old 05-03-2004, 12:53 PM   #2
TexasForester
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 59203
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Vehicle:
1999 Forester
Black

Default

From your description, you likely have some small leaks in the AC condensor mounted immediately in front of the radiator. It may have a fairly strong chemical smell which is the PAG lubricant used in the AC system. I would suggest having an AC leak detection performed using an electronic sniffer to verify the leak sites.

Unless the leak is at a fitting, it can only be repaired by replacement of the condensor. I'm not aware of anyone who attempts to repair condensors. AC system must be recovered, new condensor installed, new receiver/drier, perhaps 1-2 oz of replacement PAG lubricant, and system resealed. A vacuum pump is used to pull a hard (28"+ hg) vacuum on the AC system for at least 30 minutes, before introducing the specification amount of R134a, typically about 20-25 oz. Vacuuming eliminates any residual moisture in the system. Moisture is really bad in AC system.

A replacement condensor is probably $125-175 and receiver/drier perhaps $35-50. W/ labor and other materials, you should expect to pay perhaps $400-500 for a shop repair. Much less if you DIY, which you could partially do to remove/replace parts, and then take to someone to vacuum and charge.

I love AC problems as they typically provide the biggest payout for DIY work, and most are relatively simple. Occasionally, they can be a nightmare. Guess how I know

Good Luck
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Old 05-03-2004, 04:23 PM   #3
NateDogg
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Member#: 6467
Join Date: May 2001
Location: philadelphia, pa, usa
Vehicle:
1999 Impreza 2.5 RS
silver

Default

thank you for the quick replay and the info. this will be a DIY repair as i am a college poor student. plus doing things yourself is always fun.
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