The AC in my 96 AJ16 worked well last year, but now it does not get anywhere near as cool or as quickly as last year at this time (it's been hot here in the SF bay area as we are finally getting our traditional late summer). I'm assuming a slow refrigerant leak, as the AC still cools, just not nearly as well or as quickly. I'm preparing to put it away in the next month or two for the wet season, but I'm wondering if running on low refrigerant will harm the climate control system i.e.; should I have it serviced now or can it wait until spring? I still drive it about 80 miles or so every three weeks or so all winter when the weather is good to keep fluids moving so it's not a traditional storage situation.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

My AC does not work so they are going to gas it with a DY to see where it leaks. This is a start. If I need a new compressor thewy are about $800 here in Australia but I see in the USA they are about $500 new and some remanufactured are $200.