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Air conditioner leaking oil

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Old Jul 11, 2025 | 04:06 PM
  #1  
Horsepower's Avatar
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From: Rigby Idaho
Air conditioner leaking oil

So after a complete restoration on my 72 Cutlass I recharged the ac it cooled very nice. The next day I noticed an oil spot on my shop floor. I put the car on my lift it was leaking out of the condensation drain at the bottom of the evaporator box . After several days of sitting it stopped leaking and now the ac doesn't cool any more. Any thoughts?
Old Jul 11, 2025 | 04:36 PM
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Sounds like the evaporator core is leaking. Maybe you'll get lucky and a connection was left loose or an O-ring was left out.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 04:30 PM
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I would agree with the leaking evaporator core, On my 1970 Rallye it was the core due to the wrong self tapping bolt used for the inner heater/ a/c box and it went into the top of the evap core.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 04:47 PM
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That's what I thought sounds like a good winter project. I'll be looking for a good used evaporator coil.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 05:20 PM
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With refrigerant lines disconnected the core could be isolated and vacuum tested for leaks in place before removal.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 05:35 PM
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My '71 CS was leaking exact same spot. I replaced w/ a new core. New evaporator cores are readily available.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 05:50 PM
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Replace evaporator and test with nitrogen the fittings on the new one

if no bubbles pull vaccum and recharge


Old Jul 12, 2025 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Sugar Bear
Sounds like the evaporator core is leaking. Maybe you'll get lucky and a connection was left loose or an O-ring was left out.

connections are outside of the drain pan

so it wouldn’t be leaking out if the drain pan
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 08:15 PM
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It's not a connection for sure.
That's a good idea to isolate it and test it. I think I'll do that.

Last edited by Horsepower; Jul 12, 2025 at 08:17 PM.
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Horsepower
It's not a connection for sure.
That's a good idea to isolate it and test it. I think I'll do that.

you know it’s leaking. Unless you are a really good aluminum welder you ain’t fixing it

just get a new one. They are not that expensive
Old Jul 13, 2025 | 12:31 PM
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The Parts Place has real GM evap cores for 220 bucks, thats where I got mine.
Old Jul 13, 2025 | 01:01 PM
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Horsepower's Avatar
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Thanks mister.
Old Jul 13, 2025 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
My '71 CS was leaking exact same spot. I replaced w/ a new core. New evaporator cores are readily available.
I've purchased many products from Old Air Products to include the new evaporator core. Extremely satisfied w/ their workmanship, service & support.

https://www.oldairproducts.com/produ...aporator-coil-
Old Jul 14, 2025 | 12:38 PM
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Make sure you add oil to the system.
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