wazmunstr said:
ok so i just checked out all the hoses for the a/c and there are 2 hoses with oil around it... its the 2 hoses that go into and come out of the condenser (front of the radiator is the condenser correct?) what do you think this means? thanx...
Thats a common leak point. You can see if the compressor still spins by disconnecting the plug on top of the accumulator, start the engine, turn the A/C on, and then get out and jumper the connector side with a paper clip for just a moment. watch to see that the inner part of the compressor starts spinning and that it doesn't make a lot of noise. If so, pull the jumper out and shut the car off.
If your car has the original R12 (freon) refrigerant, you can undo the cap on the high pressure port and push the valve in to see if there is anything left. If it spurts out, you should probably take it to an A/C shop to have it evacuated. If nothing really comes out, then its probably empty enough to work on.
You can, if you feel up to the job, pull the hoses off the condenser using the "spring lock decoupling tool" which you can buy at any parts store for about $12, replace the O rings, lube them with nylog (or mineral oil), and reconnect the hoses. Then take the car to an A/C shop and have them vaccuum it down and recharge the system.
IF there is a leak elsewhere, the vaccuum will not hold.
You could also have them leak test it to tell you where the leak is. The spring locks are common, but there are a few other places such as the evaporator (Big PITA to replace) or the other hose hookups, or in some cases, the compressor shaft seal.
Now at some point in time, you're going to have to deal with the retrofit to r134A issue. You don't have to. I retrofitted mine because I was replacing most all of the A/C, so it made some sense to go with the modern refrigerant. However, R12 will work better in the older system, even if its more expensive. By the time you consider the cost to retrofit and charge up the system, it may be break even.
If you decide to do that, go check the site I pointed out as to the best way to go about it.