JNP1227

iTrader: (1)

Went to turn on the A/C the other day and it kept blowing cold humid air. Went to the dealer and they said car was low on freon. Kinda shocked for a car with only 66k that it needed to be recharged. They didn't a dye test and didn't find a leak. Am wondering how all of sudden it became low.

Sasnuke

The reality is the A/C system is a sealed system...it can't go low without the refrigerant being removed or leaking out.
Barring someone letting the refrigerant out, the system has a leak, however small.
Even with a dye test a very small leak may not be discovered right away.
It will go low again, and maybe then they will be able to see where the dye has been leaking out...presumably because there will be enough of it in one spot.

Most common place for any vehicle A/C to leak is the condenser...it's in front the rad and has the potential to be hit by anything.

VisualEcho

More than mileage you should look at time. Not so weird for a 4 year-old car to be low on refrigerant, but the fact that you just noticed it makes me think the leak may be bigger than they think, they just didn't test it properly. I'd take it to an a/c specialist.

JNP1227

iTrader: (1)

If it needs another recharge, dealer will just put in a warranty claim and replace it. Just am surprised for a car thats 4 years old.

Sasnuke

Not sure what kind of car that would be acceptable on, but definitely not a Toyota/Lexus...and I would like to think not acceptable on any car. The tree huggers would start a riot.
It's a sealed system...key word being "sealed".
That's like saying that it's ok for a sealed tranny or conventional power steering system to be low on oil...where would it go if it's not leaking?!
My IS is 6 years old (almost)...haven't lost any refrigerant yet.
My brothers 20+ year old 1996 Camry needed a top up a few years back...first ever in it's life.
Chances are an o-ring is leaking at a connection, but hell to find it with such a small leak.

JNP1227

iTrader: (1)

I agree...definitely not acceptable.

My 06 corolla with 160k blew colder air than my 3IS and never once was low on freon.

E46CT

4 years does seem a bit soon to be low. My 02 3 Series had platinum AC. After 10 years and 150k it still blew ice cold. i just recharged at that point cause.. well 10 years.

You can either wait and see if it goes low again or get a dye test done.

gbgary

dye test is a long-term test. they should have spent more time looking for the leak with an electronic leak detector. it will definitely go down again. better luck next visit.