1999 x308 , 4.0 v8 Jag Sov
The short A/C hose running from the radiator area to the oil dipstick area and then downward has I notice a small PINHOLE on the rubber portion of the hose, right at the very top.
I always found some green liquid in this area and I thought it was coolant
(coolant in car is GREEN) but until roday I didn't know where it was coming from.


Now I have actually observed this pinhole bubbling air and Green liquid from it after a drive,


So im wondering if this is indeed COOLANT (is the AC system interconnected with the coolant system anywhere??)
or is it coloured refrigerant or something?


The AC system is cool but not ice cold so I knew it needed some refridgerant at some stage.... but is this green stuff coolant or not is the question and how did it et in there??


regards Baffled
Peter

 

OK Im going to answer my own post!
I found this info somewhere.. it seems that if I borrow my neighbours UV light I will see this green stuff is indeed a DYE that's been added to the AC system
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If you have a UV light, I bet that green would light up nicely (it's florescent under UV light).

If the tube is hot when the A/C is running, it's a high side line, if it's cold, it's a low side line. Since it's bubbling when your A/C is on, there's still enough pressure in the system for the compressor to engage. Eventually, you'll lose enough refrigerant and the low pressure switch will prevent the compressor from engaging to protect the compressor.

Best to have the hose replaced sooner rather than later. The a/c tech (if he knows what he's doing) will have to recover the remaining refrigerant, replace the hose, draw a vacuum on the system and charge the correct amount by weight of R134 into the system. He may or may not recommend replacing the receiver/drier, but it's a cheap part and I would recommend doing it, since the system is going to be open.

 

AC leaks around the compressor on the S Type show up as a green film, I assumed it was the oil.

 

how lucky are you. The green U/V dye that gets put in with the refrigerant works with out a U/V light and still shows you where the leak is, you have saved money on a leak check -- Sorry, I couldn't help myself -- Did you want to hear my Martian theory.

 

osyris:
The easiest way to spot an AC leak, even without the dye, is to look for the oil residue. Oil is added to the refrigerant to lubricate the compressor, and it carries the dye along with it.