Xxb005txx

iTrader: (1)

So i get off work today,turn on my a/c n it smells like permanent marker. I turned the a/c off n it still smells. Not gonna lie, I'm freaking out.it's not something inn the area cuz i literally drove about 12 miles

Skirmich

Why are you freaking out?

It's your A/C staring to get warmer? A freon leak is not normal unless something hit a pipe or pinch it... It started out of the blue? You will need an ultraviolet light to detect freon leaks.

Don't freak out a freon leak won't burn your car down, shit happens.

Xxb005txx

iTrader: (1)

Its my daily driver/project car, mostly my daily driver. This car is like my other girlfriend.lol honestly its been a while n it still smells even though my car is off.

Skirmich

Well yes if there is Leaking Freon it will still smell until there isn't any more left.. Take it to a Shop and they will use the ultraviolet light to find your leak, How is your A/C performance? still icey?

b52bgz

Permanent marker smell? I don't know that I'd characterize R134a odor as that but, if you're leaking refrigerant and thats what you're smelling then you mostly likely have a leaking evaporator. You won't necessarily be able to detect a leak with ultraviolet light unless the system has been previously serviced with dye added to the lubricant. However, with a leak large enough for you to smell, you're not going to have enough refrigerant for the system to operate very long (less than a day - the system has a low pressure cut-out specifically for detecting low refrigerant to protect the compressor).

So, if your a/c isn't working today (or is barely working), it probably is the evap leaking. The evaporator is sandwiched in the air box with the heater core. The condensation continuously running down the coils during use over time will cause corrosion. The corrosion can eat through the aluminum eventually and, voila, you've got a leak. An aftermarket evap isn't terribly expensive (probably around $100) but install and recharge is a tad spendy unless you have a friend who is an a/c guy.

As Skirmich said, no need to freak about the leak (other than the cost of repair) but as a precaution, don't smoke in the car if its leaking refrigerant into the cabin. Burning refrigerant turns into a nasty chemical (mustard gas, essentially).

ErickUa5

Depends on the freon that was used before, it may have a green dye visible to the naked eye. Look around the A/C related hoses for a green dye or grease, that may be your leak.

Xxb005txx

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys...but it turns out it was just an open can of clear coat paint for i had in the trunk that somehow pressed up on my trunk liner and sprayed -_-