Reasons Your AC Outdoor Unit Is Leaking Oil And How To Fix It

Your outdoor air conditioning unit’s fluid surroundings may be a sign that something is wrong. What could have created this issue, and how can you fix it, if you discover that it is oil?

Any greasy or dusty patches around your outdoor air conditioner can be signs that oil is dripping from the appliance. A malfunctioning compressor is most likely to blame for the leak.

Continue reading to learn the cause of the oil leak from your AC outside unit before getting too concerned. We have also mentioned the cost of repairs and solutions to this issue in this post.

Why Is Oil Leaking From Your AC Outdoor Unit?

Dust is drawn to oils. So if your unit loses oil, you might notice a dusty spot nearby. There is a good possibility that the compressor is broken if you see this. It may just indicate that your compressor is not operating as effectively as it ought to.

Because oil leaks might be slow-moving and small, they can be difficult to find. When your AC unit breaks down, you might detect leaks.

There are warning signals to look out for, though, that can let you know when oil is leaking. This will be covered later in the article.

The Value Of A Compressor Within Your System

You might wish to learn the fundamentals before we get into what is causing the leaks. How does an air conditioner operate, and is a compressor required?

The compressor, evaporator coils, and condenser are the first three essential components of an air conditioner. Second, your air conditioner uses a closed-loop system to circulate a fluid known as refrigerant.

Your home’s air passes across the evaporator coils. They are either affixed to a furnace or found inside the air handler.

The heat from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant inside the evaporator coils, turning it into vapor. Your home is cooled by this procedure.

It goes through the compressor, which is located in the exterior unit, before leaving the evaporator. The pressure of the refrigerant increases there, turning it into liquid. Then it enters the condenser, which is likewise housed in the outside unit.

Here, the heat from the refrigerant is released outside by the fan. The cycle continues as the refrigerant travels back to the evaporator coils to begin the procedure once more.

Reasons Why A Compressor May Fail

Oil in the refrigerant lubricates the compressor. Oil will flow if the refrigerant escapes. You will notice an oily patch on the ground near the AC, as was previously indicated.

Some causes of refrigerant leaks in air conditioners include the two listed below, which are:

Unreliable Installment

Some parts may not be put properly, which could cause your AC to leak. The devices may occasionally have flaws when they leave the manufacturer that lead to leakage later.

Damage And Wear

Your air conditioner will deteriorate just like any other item. The metal could corrode, causing it to erode and develop holes where leaks can happen. The rubber seal valves also deteriorate with time and leak as a result.

Can You Fix An AC Compressor That Is Broken?

An unrepairable AC compressor must be replaced. It can only be changed. In most circumstances, unless you have the necessary abilities and competency, it is a job for a professional. The actions to take are as follows:

Tools And Supplies Required

• Get the right part for your new compressor by comparing its type to the part number of your old one.
• Recovery tank for refrigerants
• Refrigerant
• pliers, ratchets, screwdrivers, and wrenches are examples of hand tools.
• Torch

1. Turn off the electricity – To avoid harm or possibly death, turn off the AC. Find the circuit breaker and power switch, then shut them off.
2. Remove all of the refrigerant – To release pressure, drain the AC system’s refrigerant into a tank. But keep in mind that in order to do this, you must be qualified or hire an expert.
3. Cut the refrigerant lines after disconnecting the electrical connector from the compressor’s lines.
4. Compressor removal – Remove the compressor from the air conditioning unit by unscrewing it.
5. Replace the old compressor by screwing it in and reconnecting the electrical connector. By igniting them to the compressor, the refrigerant lines should be reconnected.
6. Reinstall the condenser unit and fill the AC system with the refrigerant you collected during assembly.

Repairing an evaporator coil leak might be as challenging. The broken evaporator core needs to be taken out and replaced.

Finding a leak in all the evaporator coils’ nooks, crannies, and bends might be challenging. It might also have numerous minor leaks rather than a single, large, obvious leak.

Signs Your AC Is Leaking Oil

By spotting oil leaks in time, you can save money on repairs and possibly AC replacement. The indications below will help you determine this:

Abnormally High Electricity Costs

Your air conditioning unit has to work harder than usual when there is a refrigerant and oil leak. It implies that your appliance will use more energy than usual, which will be reflected in your electric statement.

Unusual Noises

If your unit is grinding, there isn’t enough oil in it. To reduce friction between moving elements in your air conditioner, the refrigerant contains oil. As was previously said, oil also escapes when refrigerant does.

As a result, the unit’s unlubricated parts will make a grinding noise. Your outside unit makes the usual noises.

However, if you begin to hear pounding, grinding, or screaming sounds, your air conditioner may have a leak. For instance, leaks that enter the coils through holes or fissures can produce hissing sounds.

Trip The Circuit Breakers

The electrical cables in your home are put under stress when a defective compressor has to operate harder than usual. It can result in your AC losing power and the circuit breaker tripping.

Rocky Starts

If your compressor has a problem, it can start slowly. When you switch it on, the device trembles. Your air conditioner is outside, so you could not see this. So, check it out once or twice per month.

AC Is Taking Longer To Cool

Your air conditioner cannot maintain the temperature you have set in your home when the refrigerant leaks. As a result, it takes longer than usual for your unit to condition your home.

Less oil and refrigerant result from coil leaks. As a result, condensation forms on the coils since there is insufficient refrigerant to remove heat.

The coils of the evaporator cool down to the point that ice starts to develop on them as a result. When the ice melts, you could also see water droplets on the ground.

Increased Humidity

Higher humidity levels will be present in your house. The humidity would be reduced in just 15 minutes if your AC were operating regularly.

Freezing Of Evaporator Coil

Less oil and refrigerant result from coil leaks. As a result, condensation forms on the coils since there is insufficient refrigerant to remove heat.

The coils of the evaporator cool down to the point that ice starts to develop on them as a result. When the ice melts, you could also see water droplets on the ground.

No Wind Blowing Cold

There is a good chance that there is an AC leak if the air entering your home through the vents is cooler than usual.

Repairing An Outdoor Leaky AC Cost

Your costs for diagnosing an AC leak will range from $100 to $300. The cheapest way to fix a leak caused by a broken refrigerant line is to replace the line. Additionally, repairing leaks in the compressor or evaporator coil is highly expensive.

When your air conditioner’s warranty expires, the average cost of replacing the evaporator coil is $2,180. It will cost less to replace it yourself, between $600 and $850.

A compressor typically costs $1,200, and its component parts range in price from $450 to $1,500. You would spend between $800 and $2,800 to replace a compressor, with materials and labor accounting for half of the overall cost. The cost of labor ranges from $50 to $150 per hour.

In Conclusion

Your AC’s effectiveness may suffer from an oil leak. Therefore, understanding the root of the problem would help in coming up with the ideal solution.

There are telltale indicators from your AC unit that you should not disregard before you notice the leaks. You could avoid expensive repairs like having your AC replaced.

The reason of the leak and the defective component will determine how much you will have to spend on it. Some components, such as the compressor or the evaporator coil, require replacement rather than costly repairs.