Last summer my A/C condenser developed a leak. I dont drive the truck often and most of the time it stays in the barn. Are there any good "stop leak" products out there? I was told it would cost about $700 to have it fixed and I could also plan on replacing the dash because it has one hairline crack in it and it was sure to be destroyed. I can add a can of R-134 and it will last about a week.

 

The Dash has nothing to do with the condenser (the AC rad up front) and should not be that expensive. However the evaporator which is inside the heater plenum (behind the dash) requires some dash dis-assembly to get to.
The condenser is out in the open and not that expensive even from the dealer but I would even consider a used one.

 

Sorry it must be the evaporator. I had the system checked for leaks and they didnt find anything. They told me that it must be under the dash.

 

My 02 had the evaporator replaced a year ago under extended warranty. I am still having a problem, so I am bringing it back in next week. The good news is my Chrysler extended warranty is still good. It seems to me that Chrysler AC units have more problems than normal, that and auto trannies.
I have not seen an unusually high AC complaint on here, but sveral.

 

put some propane in and you can smell the leak

 

First things first.. The most common place for any automotive AC to leak is the compressor front seal. This seal needs to stay lubricated to maintain it's seal. By not engaging the compressor often the seal dries out , so it can leak then reseal then leak again. Evidence of a front seal leak is an oily residue on the front of the compressor and as it gets worse the oil throws off inline with the compressor pulley. The next most common on our truck is unfortunately the evaporator but I would never replace one on just speculation that it was leaking. A freon detector will pick up a leak to confirm just where it's leaking.

 

Where is the front seal located? Is this the lower one at the bottom?

+1 stick a sniffer inside the drain hole and it will go haywire if it is your evaporator. I have replaced 2 in 2 years. Cheap Chinese crap replacement part. I got the real thing this time.

 

The "front seal" as it's reffered to is actually on the compressor shaft, you can't see it unless you disassemble the front of the compressor. A freon detector will pick up a leak at the front seal if it's leaking at the time but the tell tale is the oil as the leak may have stopped.

 

Add one to the "mystery AC leakage" problem on here. Mine has been "fixed" by the dealer 2X in the past year, then the freon slowly leaks out, and they can't find where it's leaking from. Go figure.

 

I spent so much money fixing ac systems in chrysler and dodges. fact of the matter is they are unreliable and prone 2 leakage and always require a part replacement as opposed to just an oring. When I bought this truck, the compressor was already shot. this time, I took care of the problem at the source. I ripped everything out except for the evaporator.

 

Every single part I just replaced. New Condenser, compressor, orifice line, compressor line, evaporator, and receiver/drier. I bet it still sucks.

 

Just heard from my dealer. The evaporator has gone south again. (2) in 3 years. Are there alternative parts maker that makes one that will last?. These seem to be poorly made aluminum(Made in China?) that seem to dissolve with the moisture that condenses on them.
I have (2) Nissans, and only had to replace the compressor after !0 YEARS, which is how it should be, if the system is designed/made properly.

 

I just replaced my second one in 2 years as well. ( I bought a factory one instead of the Chinese crap that was available last time.)

 

Are you sure the factory is any better? It has not been my luck.