Empty/open A/C system potential damage

RDANNENFELSER

MEMBER
2001 FORD RANGER
3.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
211,000 MILES

Can allowing an automotive air conditioning system to remain empty without pressure due to a severe unrepaired leak for an extended period of time be damaging to the system?

Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 2:04 PM

3 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

You will have to have the accumulator or receiver dryer replaced. After the repairs are completed you must vacuum the system to see if no longer leaking and then you can charge the system. Check out this video to show you how

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM

RDANNENFELSER

MEMBER
43 POSTS

I'm planning on accumulator replacement and vacuuming the system whenever I repair the leak, but what I was trying to ask is if it would be harmful on the system to hold off on the repair until after this winter closer to warmer weather next year? Wasn't sure if it would be detrimental or not on the system to remain empty/depressurized for that many months considering lack of lubrication flow and any air/moisture that could enter the system through the leak point.

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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 4:32 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

No, just as I stated before in my prior post is if you have an open in the system you will need to change the accumulator at the last minute due to the fact that it acts like a filter for the system and needs to be sealed in the system for optimum performance. Here is a tutorial for you to view:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

After repairs are made you should then vacuum the system to be sure of no leaks. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions on this issue. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Monday, September 21st, 2020 AT 2:57 PM