PO converted the system to R134
As I've been driving with my 2nd recharge, I started noticing a sweet smell. As far as I know, freon is odorless. So I'm assuming what I'm smelling is the refrigerant oil.

Mechanic after the 2nd recharge said if it leaks again, it's probably the evaporator. He said there were no leaks anywhere else.

Not even a week after the 2nd recharge, my car is blowing hot air on an extremely hot day here in NJ.

Even the drier is warm to the touch
And the compressor is cycling on and off again.

This sweet smell- is it really refrigerant oil?

In that case, is my evaporator leaking?

 

Did the tech replace the old O rings? Maybe over tightened something.

 

I fought a leak for years. Long story short, the condenser was the issue. Has dye been introduced into the system?

JamesC

 

Yep, told the mechanic to do a dye test, he said nothing was leaking...and if it does leak, it must be the evaporator which would cost alot to fix.... in his words.

 

It's SUPER EEEEEEEEEZZZZEEEE in these cars, if that's what it is. About 7 bolts and nuts (some are on the outside, some under the carpet) to pop the housing off, a handful of screws to split the housing in half, a little fiberglass to fix the hole right above the exhaust where the heat has rotted it out, .... and you're rolling. Not sure what this guy is thinking? or IF he's thinking AT ALL? That's EEEEZEE money for a shop, or in the sensible case, an eeezeee repair for you. The evap itself can't amount to much.

Last time I wanted one, I went to the junkyard; got there at 4:55; closing time was 5:00; guy said I had 5 minutes; I walked out on the yard WITH HAND TOOLS ONLY, found a car, and got started; I was standing at the counter WITH THE PART IN HAND before they closed, 5 minutes later. THat's how eeeeeezzzeeee it is.

 

With a leak that significant, I'd think it could be found with a visual (UV light) or a sniffer. As Sofa mentions, evap replacement isn't rocket science. Might be time of a second opinion.

JamesC

 

Just for future reference, if there is a leak, and a smell, that smell would be the refrigerant oil- not the actual freon, no?