A/C '99 Aurora in Mpls, MN

[Crusader Rabbit]

Have had a leak in the system for several years. Compressor leak- $1500 to repair/replace. Had it recharged every summer, professionally. Now I see a do-it-yourself product, "AC Pro", advertised for $40. It's a can of refrigerant with a connecting hose and pressure gauge to recharge the system. It's supposed to cure what ails you. Does this stuff really work?

[wireless]

Err, a stop-leak for an A/C system..?

I haven't heard of one (guess I've never looked into it or needed it)... I've heard both good/bad things about stopleak products, but never about an A/C system.. maybe someone else can chime in

[rorafan]

There are a few A/C stopleak products out there. Never used one but I get the feeling that for every person who's successfully used it, another has a horror story. I think some are more "aggressive" than others (seriously gums up at the leak vs. just acting as a seal sweller). Personally I'd stay away from anything like that. Exception being the coolant seal tabs that GM strongly recommends for our cars!

Where is the leak? Maybe it'd be an easy permanent fix? You might come out ahead if it meant no more annual recharges.

Yeah, I could see how you'd want A/C the way the weather is getting here! ;D

[renaldo0613]

Run some dye threw the system to locate your leak. Could just be a bad valve stem which is easy as pie to change. Considering your getting it charged once a year, then it very well could be.

[RCA1186]

Id be careful with your compressor clutch too. I used a stop leak on mine and it held up fine. But after so much time with the compressor cycling on and off it ended up burning up and then I needed a new compressor. Seeing as its a leak in the compressor though I'm not so sure a stop leak would help it. $1500 is a tad high for that though.

[rorafan]

Y, the stopleak may not help much with a compressor leak unless it's just the o-rings at the hose or something along those lines. Call around and see if anyone will do it for less - I know it can be done at a dealer for under $900.

I know that's still a hard pill to swallow, so then it comes down to a question of whether or not the stopleak is worth the risk....if you're OK with the possibility of needing to spend the big bucks down the road anyway it might be worth the chance. It may work for a year or two -- or five...maybe even as long as you own the car. You'll have to balance how long you might own it vs. the cost.

[nelson480]

Maybe a tiny leak, but anything bigger stop leak has not helped me