AC Hissing in Dash

[Moused]

I recently had an issue of my AC making a hissing sound under the dash, while running.
Over the course of about 3 days, the hissing stopped, as I assume the refrigerant leaked out. No cold air now.

I was quoted ~$800-1000, and told the condenser likely rusted through..

Is it possible it could be something much simpler, such as a loose hose? Is this a common issue?



Moused

[PHIL069]

Could also be cracked/broken TX valve

[dstocks]

Thats interesting because the condensor is the part in front of the radiator, so you shouldnt have heard that under the dash. The evaporator unit is under the dash and its possible that this is the culprit as they have been known to go every now and then. $1000 is a lot to pay to have that fixed though. A 2nd hand evaporator unit should cost you around $100 and should only take an hour to replace. If its the evaporator, a 2nd handone is worth about $150 and will take about 30 minutes to replace.

[Moused]

A 2nd hand evaporator unit should cost you around $100 and should only take an hour to replace.

Is it accessible without pulling the dash out?

What would be the best course of action to find the leak?

[dstocks]

I believe it is, but have not tried myself.

[PHIL069]

You could take out the condensor, plug outlet pipe, put it in a bucket of water and fill the inlet pipe with compressed air and look for bubbles.
or
Take out the condensor and take it into an A/C guy and get him to test it.

[PHIL069]

You can take it out without removing the dash.

It's in the black box that has just been removed in the pics...

[Moused]

Damn, that's pretty easy to get to..

Take out the condensor and take it into an A/C guy and get him to test it

I think that's what I'll do.. The hissing was coming from that side of the dash, so seems a good starting point.

Where abouts is the expansion valve?

[PHIL069]

Pretty sure the TX valve is on the side if the evaporator.

The leak could be from the connections coming through the firewall too.

[Moused]

Awesome.. I was fretting about potentially being 1k poorer.. or dreading tearing my entire dash out on a leak hunt.
This is much more doable

Thanks for all the info

[PHIL069]

No worries, keep us posted on your progress.