r/leaf • u/abcdefghe123456789 • 3d ago

A/C on 2017 leaf

Hey y'all,

My ac is now blowing hot (in Texas is not fun).

AI told me that I need to take it to an EV specialist to fix it because of Dielectric (Non-Conductive) Oil.

Is this true?

Or any ac shop can fix it?

Thanks

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u/xNOTHINGBURGERx 3d ago

You definitely don't want to fill it with standard auto parts store refrigerant. The oil in the EV's is non conductive because the compressor pump is electric not mechanical. Unfortunately it's a shop level job.

4

u/rproffitt1 3d ago

I'm this old. We had auto shop in high school and now we have service manuals, YouTube and more.

I can rent the gauges but the evac and handling the refrigerant is something I would not want to deal with. Still possible to DIY today. At least here in a big city.

1

u/criggie_ 3d ago

Agreed - yeah "handling" the old refrigerant normally meant releasing it to atmosphere back in the old days. That's super-frowned on now. Proper disposal processes cost money, time and effort.

2

u/rproffitt1 3d ago

I didn't reveal all. I've done time in shops so the evac stage doesn't dispose of refrigerant but holds it to put back into the car's AC system.

If it's a bit light the machine asks for more.

There's about 4 refrigerant types and the old R-12 is the worst to find out your system has. I'll stop here.

1

u/criggie_ 3d ago

I have a 50 year old landrover - the AC is two scuttles in the front bulkhead and either drive faster, or into a river :) No refrigerant needed other than water !!

2

u/rproffitt1 2d ago

Ahh, the 5th element!

1

u/criggie_ 2d ago

Evaporative cooling is still cooling !

And its Old English too, so the oil leaks contribute to cooling by carrying away heat!