Rep Power: 201

Last Wednesday my air conditioning system had given out. Starting with the cheapest solution, I decided to recharge it and low and behold the compressor began to turn. After eliminating any electrical issues from the list I began to drive around normally. The next day it was dead again.

So, I have a leak....

The dye used in the recharge kit was showing when I had used a blacklight. It appeared as if it was leaking from the coupling just right of the low pressure port, although this could have just been corrsion as that was showing too. However, I did see a green drop froming at the lowest point by the port. Anyway I decided to tighten it, yet only afterwards realized that a factory yellow mark line was drawn across both nuts. After doing so, I turned the recharged system on, and to my own ears, a loud hissing noise came directly from that coupling. I hadn't made note of whether this was happening the first charge. Thinking quickly, I turned the nuts back to alignment. To my dismay, the hissing was still occurring, yet this time from somewhere else. In the cabin, I noticed it more prominently within the vents than from the engine bay. So I began to narrow it down.

Then, using the old 1/4" copper piping in my backyard to pinpoint where it was, I learned it was most noticeable at the port from the engine bay to the cabin. So, my questions are, has anyone had this issue? Is this where the evaporator is? If so, what fix am I looking at? I appreciate any advice.

 
Rep Power: 201

Yes that is the back side of the evaporator. It is likely just an oring. That wasn't an alignment mark, it is a mark they put on at the factory after they tighten it so you can see that it was tightened.

 
Rep Power: 201

Is this something that needs to be taken to the shop? I'm not afraid of doing it myself, but I've heard that air in the system is the worst thing that could happen, and that the proper equipment isn't readily available...

 
Rep Power: 201

Yes if you don't have the knowledge or the tools to diy it, don't. Air in the system has many side effects. The first one you will notice is reduced cooling. The worst part for the system is air caries moisture with it. Moisture + refrigerant oil = acidic solution = screwed up a/c system in the long run. In short it will cost a lot more to screw up a diy than it will to have a knowledgeable shop work on it.

 
Rep Power: 201

Ok thanks for the advice. I spoke to my mentor at work (I'm an intern) and he has an A/C vacuum system that he needed for his Prius. He would be able to lend it to me and walk me through how he repaired his and how to utilize it. It turns out his condenser was bad, but I'm sure he could help with mine.