# How to get one more summer out of an old crappy A/C

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 16, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863 "2008-03-16T02:13:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863/1 "2008-03-16T02:13:32Z")

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My leaky A/C was diagnosed last summer and I was told that the system would need to be O/H and pretty much replaced in order to work properly.  
  
  
  
 However it still cools at 41 degrees and the compressor still cycles,  
  
  
  
 it just still leaks.  
  
  
  
 Will a fresh recharge this spring with a can of stop leak do the trick? How about that “high mileage” refrigerant with leak sealers built in?  
  
  
  
 I’m not willing to invest the money to properly repair the a/c. The car is 21 years old and rusted through with a carburetor and I will be getting rid of it next year.  
  
  
  
 Advice? Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863/2 "2008-03-16T02:18:24Z")

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It doesn’t sound like you have much to lose. Run it until it loses pressure and give the stop leak stuff a try, it will either work or it won’t. If it doesn’t work, you will be hot.

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**Author:** ![Scudder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scudder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scudder)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863/3 "2008-03-16T02:33:41Z")

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Any idea where the leak is ?

If it’s the compressor seals, there isn’t much you can do other than overhaul or fit a replacement. If your car uses R12, the recharges might cost more than an overhaul ~ that stuff is hard to get and isn’t cheap.

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**Author:** ![tractorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@tractorman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tractorman)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-get-one-more-summer-out-of-an-old-crappy-a-c/11863/4 "2008-03-16T02:53:21Z")

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Your leak might be a simple o-ring leak. These are usually easy to find and repair. Less than $100. On the other hand, a $15 can of R134a with oil, sealant and a built in connection fitting will likely get you through the summer. I have used the coolant with sealant and the systems always continued to leak. Your results may differ.  
I just caught the 21 year old bit. There is a R-12 replacement called Freeze 12. It much cheaper than regular R-12. I have only seen this coolant in cans that require a special hose or manifold set to install. Your cost differential is getting smaller.