Recently caught a leaky air conditioning condenser on my MINI. Had a shop evacuate the system, replaced it and the seals, added about 2 ounces of PAG 46 oil, and then had the shop pull a vacuum for about 30 minutes and then refill the system. Everything was cold and working normally. In fact, still is. But...

Lowered the plastic underbody shield today for other reasons and noticed two of my A/C hoses are now leaking A/C oil. One is leaking at the seam where the aluminum meets the rubber, the other at a turn in the rubber.

These two:





For any A/C experts out there, would using PAG 46 instead of ND8 have caused these leaks? Or perhaps it was the extended vacuum time after the system had been opened? Or maybe the coolant that has spilled on them every time the coolant has been replaced?

Either way, has anyone else had their A/C hoses leak not due to rubbing/chafing?

 

I know that Pag ND 8 is recommended for the system. They leak at the seam between the crimped section an the rubber hose that I have seen with lots of Miles and age.

#5

64531504536

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64531504536/


Chaffing on the bottom rubber #5 i have seen.

&

#11 64509181965

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/64509181965/

thanks

 

Thought I'd update this. After deciding to leave the hoses in and put some Cliplight AC Super Seal in, I took a look at the hoses today to see if the super seal worked...

...and I'm fairly sure my A/C hose "leak" was really just foam air filter oil dripping down from my DDM/Works R50 CAI which is directly above the two A/C hoses in question. I cleaned and reoiled the filter a few months ago, and must have used a little too much oil.

I don't feel all that bad for putting in the super seal as I feel its decent insurance to have in the aging system, but a thorough inspection with a good light could have saved the headache in the first place!