Radiator Fluid Leaking from a Silver Cylnder, Attached to the Radiator

[k23a1]

Hi Folks,

I'm new to the site, and I just purchased used 2003 Frontier with 135k miles. The truck is in pretty good condition, with the exception of the bed being a bit scuffed up from the previous owner. The body is, otherwise, clean and still has glossy paint.

To the point:

2003 Nissan Frontier XE King Cab

I will have a picture up for a detailed explaination.

There is a Silver-cylnder looking item that is attached to the front radiator, and that part is leaking. It seems to be cool to the touch, even after normal driving. I assume that this is some type of drier or something related to the air conditioning unit? After a good driving session, I can hear bubbles from this location, and touching the unit will only relieve the pressure to be released from the system.

It is visible with the hood open.

Thanks

[Zero Six LE]

Sounds like your AC drier is leaking. What you probably see is dye in the refrigerant. Does your AC cool your interior?

[k23a1]

Originally Posted by Zero Six LE

Sounds like your AC drier is leaking. What you probably see is dye in the refrigerant. Does your AC cool your interior?

The air conditioner is super cold, and the liquid that seeps out smells and looks like radiator fluid. I can take a picture later, but I am sure you know what Im talking about. If this part were to be replaced, does that mean that the refrigerant will have to be evacuated and refilled?

Here is a picture of the unit I found online, but it's the same exact item leaking from the metal line/hoses.

[kor0000]

Although it may look like your radiator, it's the A/C condenser. The radiator is behind the A/C condenser. They look similar but they are two seperate systems.

Refrigerant for the A/C is bright green, it's a dye added to it as Zero Six LE stated. It looks very similar to anitfreeze and has an odor about it.

About replacing, yes the pressure from the system will have to be relieved and most of the refrigerant will be lost. But adding refrigerant doesn't cost a whole lot for the home mechanic.

The part you have circled is the A/C receiver/drier unit.

What do you mean by your statement... "..., and touching the unit will only relieve the pressure to be released from the system." Are you touching one of the lines bolted to it?

It may just be a bad O ring or a loose fitting. Did you try tightening the fittings?

[k23a1]

Originally Posted by kor0000

Although it may look like your radiator, it's the A/C condenser. The radiator is behind the A/C condenser. They look similar but they are two seperate systems.

Refrigerant for the A/C is bright green, it's a dye added to it as Zero Six LE stated. It looks very similar to anitfreeze and has an odor about it.

About replacing, yes the pressure from the system will have to be relieved and most of the refrigerant will be lost. But adding refrigerant doesn't cost a whole lot for the home mechanic.

The part you have circled is the A/C receiver/drier unit. Can you see exactly where the fluid is coming out from?

What do you mean by your statement... "..., and touching the unit will only relieve the pressure to be released from the system." Are you touching one of the lines bolted to it?

It may just be a bad O ring or a loose fitting. Did you try tightening the fittings?

On target! When I meant touching the silver unit, the leak actually becomes larger and louder, which means it has a definite loose fitting or bad o-ring. I haven't look on the bottom to see if there are nuts to tighten, but I can only assume that the o-rings can be bad.

"Can you see exactly where the fluid is coming out from?"

Yes, there are 2 metal tubes that attach to the drier, and I can see fluid bubbling out of that area when touched (more leaks) or left untouched (can be a slow leak). I am actually pushing on the silver-drier unit, which is held by a hose clamp. The unit can move just a bit, causing the fluid to leak.

How is this unit bolted on? Nut fitting? I haven't looked underneath.

Thanks for your response.

[kor0000]

I took a look at my 04. In my 04 the in/out fittings are welded to a single disk like object. The disk like object is then bolted to the bottom of the drier unit. According to the manual I have, you just unbolt the fittings, remove the hose-clamp type fastener from the drier and slide it off the fittings.

I have never tried to remove one of these before (just never needed to). My guess is that each of the metal lines going into the drier each have a seperate O ring inside the drier, but I can't say for certain since I've never removed one. Other A/C lines utilize O rings for sealing and assume this one does too.

I find your issue to be an odd one. I would try to tighten the bolt that mounts the metal lines to the bottom first. My guess is that will solve the issue. If that doesn't work, I would consider removing the drier and checking for O rings. If tightening it doesn't fix the issue its going to have to be removed anyway to be fixed.

I'm not sure of the intensity of the pressure in the drier but other AC lines are pressurized and that pressure needs to be relieved before unbolting things. There are EPA regulations about releasing the refrigerant into the atmosphere, but yours is leaking anyway.

If tightening doesn't work, I'd wait to see what other Club Frontier members have to say about the O rings. Some of these guys are pretty knowledgable.

[k23a1]

Originally Posted by kor0000

I took a look at my 04. In my 04 the in/out fittings are welded to a single disk like object. The disk like object is then bolted to the bottom of the drier unit. According to the manual I have, you just unbolt the fittings, remove the hose-clamp type fastener from the drier and slide it off the fittings.

I have never tried to remove one of these before (just never needed to). My guess is that each of the metal lines going into the drier each have a seperate O ring inside the drier, but I can't say for certain since I've never removed one. Other A/C lines utilize O rings for sealing and assume this one does too.

I find your issue to be an odd one. I would try to tighten the bolt that mounts the metal lines to the bottom first. My guess is that will solve the issue. If that doesn't work, I would consider removing the drier and checking for O rings. If tightening it doesn't fix the issue its going to have to be removed anyway to be fixed.

I'm not sure of the intensity of the pressure in the drier but other AC lines are pressurized and that pressure needs to be relieved before unbolting things. There are EPA regulations about releasing the refrigerant into the atmosphere, but yours is leaking anyway.

If tightening doesn't work, I'd wait to see what other Club Frontier members have to say about the O rings. Some of these guys are pretty knowledgable.

Thanks. All I needed to know is that there are nuts to tighten, which may temporarily (or permanently) solve this problem. Hopefully, it's just a loose fitting that can be tightened back to spec, so I dont have to evacuate the refrigerant and polute the enviornment.

I haven't taken the time to look, since I am at work, but I'll check the part in a bit.

Question:

Is it accessable through the bottom of the bumper? Would you mind scanning that page (or pertaining pages) related to this section? I thank you again in advance.

[kor0000]

My 04 is easily accesible without removing anything. The requested info has been sent.