This is my first lexus(coming from an e46 BMW m3). I got this car because my bachelor days are behind me and i'm going to have a baby soon.

A little about the car; Lexus GX470 with 209k miles, it runs amazing, and most issues were addressed on it...except the AC. The AC turns on, but does not blow cold air.

I bought some r-134a from and filled and immediately started blowing cold air....well that lasted for only the day. When i went back to the truck, it went back to the way it was. So i decided to put the r-134a with the dye in it to see where the leak is happening, drove around for sometime and went to check, no leak anywhere. I even put a piece of paper under the condenser drain to see if there was some of the dye leaking from there, didn't see anything. Clearly, there’s a leak somewhere, i just cant find it.

I read that the evaporator core leak is pretty common and that it comes out of the condenser drain, but since i didn't see anything there, i'm assuming(read hoping) that's not the issue -- but i will keep an eye on our through the next few days to see if any of the dye leaks out.

if it is the evaporator core, it seems like independent shops are charging $1900+ for it. I'd appreciate any input or direction on what to look for -- i was planning on taking it to the dealership later today to get a full diagnosis.

also, recommendations for independent shops in/around Chicago that are capable of doing this, i'd love that. I would attempt to do the job myself, but taking the dash apart -- i feel like too many things can go wrong...plus i haven't found any good write-ups for this.

 

We had a similar problem. Some of the metal lines were corroded. We replaced them and haven't had a problem since.

 

Is there documentation on how to take out the lines? Did you replace both high and low?

 

We replaced both if I remember correctly.

 

Do you remember where you got the lines from? Did you get OEM?