OK, here's the thing. Last year the truck was blowing hot air with the A/C, so I took it to a shop and they said it's fine, added some juice and a happy summer I had. Now this year, it's worse than last so it seems and it leads me to believe the compressor is leaking. I took a black light to the compressor pulley area and that is the only spot I could see any greenish yellow dye, but very little. I would say it is leaking from the shaft in front. Last year they said I was a bit low and it made a huge difference. I want to not have to go get it inspected every year but would rather fix it if I could. Any suggestions? It's getting stupid humid around and I'm hating the heat. Are these systems that sensitive that even a small amount missing screws up things this much? If a new compressor is in order, do I need also what other items? Thanks for the help in advance.

 

It may look like a small amount but it leaks constantly when under pressure. It's like a leak in the cooling system, when it's cold with no pressure there's no leaking, when the system heats up and the pressure builds the coolant sprays out of the hole. If you use the A/C alot (and it sounds like you do) then it would only take a week or two with a small leak to drop the pressure enough for the system to stop working. Definitely sound like it's replacement time for that compressor to fix it once and for all.

 

Actually ya, it will be fixed this week. They tested and confirmed the compressor is kaput, so someone will be replacing the compressor and the drier too.

 

Got it done, oh it's nice now.