Not sure if this goes in maintenance, but move it if so plz:

So is a leak in the air conditioning system covered under any warranty? If so, which warranty?



Also, how does one go about finding the leak? I know working on the a/c system can be tricky and dangerous, so help me out where ya can plz. thanks!

 

Should be covered under the 3/36 basic coverage. If you popped for an extended warranty, now's the time to start checking the paperwork to see exactly which of the thousand or so available that you actually picked up.

 

I thought it would be the basic warranty. This is actually on my dads car which is past the basic warranty period.

Any info on how to go about problem solving this? Like I said, the dealer wants and arm and a leg

 

most common leak i have found on most Toyotas fresh off the lot is an o-ring leak at the a/c compressor where the line attaches to the compressor. usually on the "suction" line. main problem is the factory still uses black o-rings which don't hold the refrigerant R134a very well. the correct o-rings are green which hold both R12 (1993 and older vehicles) and R134a (1994 and up)

there could be a leak elsewhere, but that's the most common one i see...anywho, if it's still under warranty, take it into the dealer...but they'll most likely claim there's no problems, or sevice your a/c without looking for a leak and wait until you come back for another complaint about not cold air...or they'll jus top off your a/c refrigerant and let you go on your way.

but by law, shops are not allowed to let a vehicle leave with refigerant in a vehicle that they know has a leak (unless no leaks were found at the time of service)

i'm going on 7 years of experience in the field and currently working at a radiator and air conditioning shop

 

Most a/c leaks are also due to a damaged condenser. Damage usually caused by foreign objects thrown up into the air dam which is probably not covered under warranty but is covered thru your car insurance.

As for leak detecting, freon has a small amount of special oil mixed in with it. So I would look around the a/c lines and components for oily residue. Especially around any connections. That is a visual sign for an a/c leak in that area of oily residue. Although, there are some a/c system areas that are not easily seen. I'm talking about components under the dashboard.

 

Alright. Well thanks for the detailed advice. I really appreciate it! Unfortunately, his car isn't covered under warranty anymore, so it looks like I may have to bring it to the mech. Hopefully I can find the leak myself and i'll start with what you guys suggested! Thanks again!

 

too bad you're on the East Coast, i'd do it for you...

i don't know about prices over there, but here in Cali, a shop would charge about $120-140 for servicing the a/c plus any parts that leak (if any)

 

wow, thats a lot better than over here from any place that i've found. Is that at a regular mech or at an a/c place?

Thanks for the offer to help anyway though, thats cool of you.

 

yup, look for oil spots on your condenser, otherwise....you might have to use a dye like a tech would to find the source

 

i work at a specialty shop that works mostly on radiators and a/c including heater cores...

at our shop, price of R134a refrigerant is about $2.50 an ounce...the tC takes about 17 ounces and would only be $42.50 plus an hour of labor at $95 for a total of $137.50 plus tax and that's list price....cost price is about $93....i'd probably discount it for you...haha