Im having a hard time with my 2010 prius trying to find and fix AC leak. First if people say the AC dosnt break a lot my prius is a rebuild that had front passenger side damage. But the AC was working fine last year. The problem I get code B1423 Abnormal refrigerant pressure and B1475 AC Inverter cooling witch is probably linked to loosing the pressure when refilled. The system was evacuated and checked for vacuum leaks and it was loosing vacuum so it was refilled with color dye twice already. It was running for 1 day and next day all charge was gone. And here comes my problem finding the leak. There was no visible leaks anywhere so it indicate it might be somewhere around AC core that's under the dashboard and require around 11 hours of labor work. Does anyone had similar problem or know a way how to check it before you need to unmount the whole dashboard? So far I gonna try wait for a really hot day and refill it again with dye and run AC as much as possible because the mechanic told there is a drain under the AC core for I think condensation to run off and to see if the dye will show up there.
My Prius is undergoing the same problems. Just got diagnosed with a bad evaporator core and a $1050 price tag. We took it home and my husband is going to attempt to do it himself . They said it would be 8 hours of labor, btw. Jessica
Bought my 2011 Prius in November of 2011. A/C worked great; until when summer came. A/C did not cool down in 100 F day....... The Texas heat caused a leak? A very small pin hole!! DIY; wait for a very HOT day to use the dye; charge system; check all connections and hoses; even put in a leak detector in the main air vent, with A/C on low speed. I hope it is not the core!! Good luck!!
You said you put leak trace in the system right? If you used a UV Dye it will show up with a UV light with the glasses. A leak that big should show up. Easy way to see if evaporator under dash is leaking is to take UV light and shine it on or around the drain coming out of firewall. If it lights up then you found your problem. also be sure to check around condenser in front bumper. And be sure to check around compressor and all lines.
Finally my AC is fixed. The hard part was finding the leak and yup it was leaking from AC core evaporator. To verify the leak I had to wait for very hot and humid day refill the AC and drive a lot that day and then I saw condensation water drip with the dye. I ended up paying 800$ that include labor and parts.
I had the Condenser assembly replaced on Monday after the Air Con gradually became less and less effective. The dealer said that the old Condenser had corroded from the inside out, because the condenser is the lowest part of the system and hence collects any water in the system...not sure about that, how did the water enter the system in the first place? This is the first car with A/C that I have kept long enough for the A/C to develop any faults, so this was a first for me, but overall can't complain because it's the first non-routine part on the car I've had to have replaced in five years of ownership. For the record the Condenser cost £200 with an additional £154 of labour (think they said it was 4 to 5 hours of labour).
Fujisan, when you say very hot day, did it get to 20 deg C? Actually both set of repairs were quite reasonably priced by Aussie standards.
My condenser is toast too. Mine had been peppered by stones and chippings causing pin holes which in normal use didn't cause particular issues with the a/c use; it would clear the mist on the inside of the windscreen on damp days etc, but as soon as a hot day (lol 25c) the a/c only worked for a few weeks. It was when it failed that all the pin holes in the condenser were discovered including a small split on the pipe Been quoted £500 to replace them both and refill etc which compares to your costs. So far I just keep the windows down but a black car with no a/c is no fun.
lol I remember an Aussie on here not so long ago who was complaining about the cold Aussie winter at 5c and wondering if he needed to block his grill to get more heat from the heater lol. Erm, maybe do that if the temp is -15c or lower but 5c is a warm winter day here. It's what you're used to, how you've become acclimatised, how your buildings are designed etc. Yours are designed to expel heat and ours are designed to keep it in. I'm sure an Aussie would be wrapped up warm at 10c where come to Newcastle on a Friday night in winter at 0c and they'll not be wearing coats. It's just what your body is used to.
Did I say "very hot day" No. We had a few really nice days in July which showed up the problem with the A/C, but August has been a complete washout.
Sorry to hear your Condenser is u/s as well. I tend to think my old condenser was also damaged from the outside, rather than corroded from the inside, but I didn't see it so I'll have to take the dealer's word for it. Anyway the A/C is working fine now, so I'm happy. FYI the total price of the repair was £427 including VAT, at Bentleys Toyota Warrington, with a lovely little auto Yaris as a courtesy car.
