AC not working

[SixFootSix]

I did not touch the AC system prior to the leak.

The leak was determined to be from the AC Condenser, and very close to the bottom of the unit. A very small yet pointy rock managed to miss the lower grill work and strike the soft tubing in the condenser. The rock remained wedged in the condenser, until the mechanic picked it loose. It seems that when I started the car after the fill-up that the compressor came on high, and the R134 leaked past the rock.

I attempted to recharge it while I was traveling, but did not do that great a job.

The hole has since plugged itself with the leak-stop that I put into the system while traveling. I have been running the car for about a week, and the AC is still working. I'm sure that I am on borrowed time, and it will fail again at the worst possible moment (i.e. road trip through Vegas in July heat).

 

[Bill K]

If the damage was caused by a rock. wouldn't your auto insurance cover it??? Wouldn't it be the same as if it was your windshield???

 

[SixFootSix]

If the damage was caused by a rock. wouldn't your auto insurance cover it??? Wouldn't it be the same as if it was your windshield???

Yes, insurance will cover after the deductible, and using aftermarket parks only.

 

[Sluh]

Aftermarket is very scarce for our cars. Rockauto has just one aftermarket condenser for my genny at 70$. OEM is 335$ online. I doubt the leak stop will fix a rock puncture for long, but wait and see, maybe you'll get lucky. For 70$, would it be my car, I would do it myself, but I have all the equipment and tools required (I'm tools hoarder ). Beats the deductible and insurance raise for next 5 years (whatever they tell you, every claim goes in the CLUE and will affect your future quotes).

 

[SixFootSix]

Aftermarket is very scarce for our cars. Rockauto has just one aftermarket condenser for my genny at 70$. OEM is 335$ online. I doubt the leak stop will fix a rock puncture for long, but wait and see, maybe you'll get lucky. For 70$, would it be my car, I would do it myself, but I have all the equipment and tools required (I'm tools hoarder ). Beats the deductible and insurance raise for next 5 years (whatever they tell you, every claim goes in the CLUE and will affect your future quotes).[/QUOTE

No insurance increase, since the item that struck my car was in motion, and could not be avoided. I've paid over 35 years of insurance without a claim. I'm getting it fixed this week, so it ready for a Sacramento and also Vegas run in July.