Reguardless of what auto mechanics say, there IS A STOP-LEAK FOR AUTO A/C UNITS...and it works...I have an 88 Caddy (mint) and it developed a leak in the compressor and in the evaporator unit...Estimates were in the high hundreds...Found a honest mechanic who told me about the stop-leak...There are 2 types-one cost $300 a dose, and the other cost $50...I took the fifty and it worked super....This stop-leak was developed by NASA for the spaceships...Auto A/C shops don't like to let this info be knowned, so you will probably be told that it dosen't exist-just look them in the eye and say "oh really?"....If anyone needs the brand, let me know, and I'll get it for you....

I have been an automotive technician for over 25 years and in automotive engineering for one of the big three for 15 years. I never seen a stop leak product that worked on an A/C system!
If you had a leak at the compressor it more than likely was the shaft seal. For a stop leak product to stop the seal leak it has to swell the seal. That means that every rubber piece in the system will be swollen also. Oh Oh now for the really bad part! The swelling softens the rubber to the point that it will weaken every hose! The A/C system will run up to 300 psi. So you see what will happen?
Now for the other leak! If you condenser was leaking it more than likely has a hole in the metal. For the stop leak to fix that, it will have to plug the hole with something. That can be done like stop leak for a radiator. But here comes the bad news again! An A/C system has an orifice in the line to create a high and low, pressure difference. The orifice is a very small hole! Can you see what is coming? Around the orifice is a screen the filters out particles (mostly metal from wear in the compressor) that flow through the system. This will plug up and the high-pressure switch will shut down the compressor. Not good!
Ask any GOOD mechanic and see what they say!

Well, its been 6 months and every thing is working fine...This will work only on very minor slow leaks...Your statement about "good mechanic" was a little smug...The mechanic I go to is probably one of the best I've ever encountered, and I've owned cars long before you were born...I will go over to my mechanic and get the info on it today....

[This message was edited by donrent on 06-19-02 at 05:24 AM.]

Here's the name of the stop-leak. TLC 2121....TLC, evidently is the company's name, and is made in Sunrise, Fl, which I believe is the Miami area....My mechanic has used it numerous times with a 100% success rate....and with none of the after-problems you speak of...Perhaps you should know of a product before you start knocking it....

If you read what I said it was that “I have never seen a stop leak product that worked on an A/C system”. Then I give you the problems with that type of product of the past. I asked around (over twenty technicians) and know one has heard or seen of this product. Most said they would not trust using this product. I then contacted an engineer for an A/C manufacture. He had several concerns. He also never heard of this product.
All I tried to do is give you the best information that I had. So I hope you do not have any problems and it works fine. Oh by the way, my youngest granddaughter (of five grand kids) at the age of 12 thinks that I am an old fart!

I've used it in the past. However I won't use it any more. Like it is a temporary band-aid that leads to bigger problems later on. The last time I used it, later on when I did have my AC unit worked on, the condensor had to be replaced. The stop-leak had plugged it up.

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Originally posted by ez:
If you read what I said it was that “I have never seen a stop leak product that worked on an A/C system”. Then I give you the problems with that type of product of the past. I asked around (over twenty technicians) and know one has heard or seen of this product. Most said they would not trust using this product. I then contacted an engineer for an A/C manufacture. He had several concerns. He also never heard of this product.
All I tried to do is give you the best information that I had. So I hope you do not have any problems and it works fine. Oh by the way, my youngest granddaughter (of five grand kids) at the age of 12 thinks that I am an old fart!

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Considering that I was going to have to replace the compressor anyway, I am way aead of the game ...Perhaps the perticular brand my mechanic used is better than the others...From one older fart to another, never accept the fact and ignor the hell out of it...