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Think about your refrigerator at home. When was the last time you had to recharge it? Your answer is probably never. Unless something is broken, you’ve probably never had to replace the refrigerant. But, the A/C in your car is an entirely different story.

Refrigerant does not get “used up” or “worn out” in the process of absorbing and releasing heat in either your car or your refrigerator. So if the refrigerant in your system doesn’t get used up, what’s happening to it? It’s leaking out, that’s what.

  • If your A/C is blowing hot air, it’s safe to say it‘s probably leaking.
  • Adding a refrigerant with stop leak additive and O-ring conditioner could cure the leak.
  • AC Pro Super Seal can form a seal over cracks or holes to fix leaks and even safeguard from future problems.

Automotive A/C systems are closed systems subject to harsh weather and road conditions. Your A/C has plenty of places for leaks to occur in metal components like the condenser, evaporator, accumulator or receiver/drier, as well as in the rubber components such as hoses, O-rings and gaskets.

The refrigerant in your vehicle’s system gets lower if the system has developed a small leak. Over time, this will cause warmer air to blow from the vents.

Typically, refrigerant leaks occur in cars that are over five years old. This is because the rubber O-rings and gaskets, that seal the different components of the system, can become brittle and dry over time, allowing the refrigerant in the system to leak past them.

But, not all leaks occur in the rubber components of your system. Leaks can also appear in the metal components - a pin-hole-sized leak or hairline crack in a metal component can be hard to detect and expensive to fix.

How to fix leaks in the A/C system?

A/C Pro® all-in-one-solution

In most cases, leaks can be cured by adding a refrigerant with a proven stop leak additive and O-ring conditioner such as premium all-in-one solution A/C Pro®. In addition to refrigerant, A/C Pro® also contains special lubricants that help to extend the life of your compressor. It‘s specifically designed to be as close to “foolproof” as possible, so it can be used by people who know basically nothing about how a car air conditioner works, or even what refrigerant is. It requires zero tools or mechanical experience – it’s literally one of the simplest car repairs you can do.

A/C Pro® Super Seal

Super Seal sealant is another great solution for a leaky A/C system. Its key ingredients have been used by the gas pipeline industry for years to seal leaks in metal pipes. It works by forming a permanent seal when it leaks through a crack or hole and comes into contact with the outside air.

Super Seal works great on small leaks that are hard to detect or not easily reached. To work properly, the system will have to be able to hold a refrigerant charge for longer than two weeks. Even better, Super Seal will safely stay present in your system for years to help guard against future leaks too.

You should also check to make sure there are dust caps on the service ports of your A/C and that the Schrader valve is not loose. If there are no dust caps, you can purchase a valve repair kit that contains caps for both the high and low side port and a tool for tightening the Schrader valve. Dust caps on service ports are not an optional item. They are an integral part of maintaining the refrigerant in your car’s A/C system and could be the reason that your car A/C doesn‘t work.

Summary

To see how quick and easy it can be to get your car blowing cold air again, check out our video gallery. If the heat doesn't work in your car, or you have other questions about recharging your vehicle’s A/C System, contact us, or give us a call - toll-free at 1-888-318-5454.