Heading out to my 99 max the other day and hear a loud "PSSSST" sound. Sounded like my tire was leaking but as I got closer I could smell that my AC was discharging into the open air. Sorry Al Gore :/ Quickly got the hood open to attempt to find the source before it was all out. Sounded like it was coming from the compressor area but I never managed to actually see or feel the leak in the 10 seconds or so I had to try and find it. Car had not been run in several hours but it was sitting outside in the sun on a VERY (110 degrees) hot day. Looking around later I'm seeing lots of oily residue on the top of the small "canister-like" thing that is on the end of the low pressure/suction hose down by where it attaches to the compressor. (No, not the accumulator under the battery - this is the tiny metal canister-looking part at the end of the hose).

Took out the bolt and the hose came out of the compressor easily. Very easily. Is it possible that the O-ring just spontaneously gave way? I've had no leaking in the past 5 years with this car. I'm also wondering due to the asymmetrical staining is see on the ring itself. It seems to have a lot more on one particular side.



So basically I'm asking smarter people than me 1) if it is possibly just the O-ring and not the compressor or hose. 2) If I'm missing anything obvious. 3) If replacing the o-ring, reassembling and then opening a can of dye or r134a+dye into the hose and seeing if it leaks is a good way to procede. (I was left with ZERO pressure so I would assume simply the pressure from the can would be enough to find out if I've found the problem. Shouldnt even need to jump the compressor). 4) If it could possibly be that for the first time in my life the $3 part went out and the $300 part is fine. I'm grateful for the forums and your advice is appreciated!

 

Idk man. the picture u posted is a pic of an aftermarket oring and they are crap.

I dont know what canister by the compressor u are referring to. The low pressure line returns to the compressor. There is nothing else in line.

Im guessing the line is bad. U can leak test it if u want. but that line is prolly toast.

 

I was afraid the word "canister" might confuse people. Here is a pic of the portion of that line that hooks into the compresson.



Looks like everything flew out and upward and sprayed on all surrounding areas including the "canister-looking" part of the line. I wiped most of it off examining for a leak.

 

If you have the time, replace the line and leak down lest it. Probably just the line and ring. IF still leaking you might have more serious leak issue.