360: AC line oil leak | FerrariChat
Buy

360: AC line oil leak

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by mfennell70, Apr 18, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. mfennell70

    mfennell70 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    596
    Middletown, NJ
    #1 mfennell70, Apr 18, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Found this when I pulled the undertray for a yearly fluid service. I believe it's the high pressure side. I last had the tray off 6 moths ago and all was well then.

    Is this a common problem? Will the factory piece ($410 - I would be outraged with any other make :) ) serve me well for 10 more years or would a fix at a local shop be a better plan?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #2 FerrariDublin, Apr 18, 2011
    Are you sure it's the AC line that's leaking? Looks like it could be F1 hydraulic fluid. Leak could be elsewhere and just running down the AC line and finding lowest point?
     
  3. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #3 Steve King, Apr 18, 2011
    I'm not a 360 guy but that is not freon. AC oil is in the freon stream and it is usually a bright green. It looks like transmission fluid. If it were an AC leak your AC would not work. Once there is a leak in the AC system you loose all of the freon. Check which system uses red fluid and there's your problem area.
     
  4. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,199
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #4 PAP 348, Apr 19, 2011
    Certainly not a/c. :):)

    Looks like transmission fluid, judging by the colour. :):)

    Is that even an a/c hose? Or is it a p/steering hose?

    Could be leaking above somewhere running down onto that hose as already suggested. :):)

    But def not a/c refridgerant mate. :):)
     
  5. mfennell70

    mfennell70 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    596
    Middletown, NJ
    #5 mfennell70, Apr 19, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2011
    I don't know what to tell you guys. There are three lines in that position. Two are for the A/C system, the other is coolant. Power steering runs on the other side. No transmission lines in that area. It's forward of the firewall and everything nearby is perfectly dry.

    The fitting is actually a local high point. The rubber hose slopes downwards a bit.

    I've been thinking a previous shop might have put in a dye. I grabbed a black light to check tonight.

    EDIT: I actually have no idea if the AC works or not. I've had no reason to use it since the fall. Will check as soon as practical.

    It's part 17 here:
    http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&P=&V=diag&I=656
    17 65230500 1 UNDERFLOOR DELIVERY TUBE FROM COMPRESSOR
     
  6. TEXASSPEED

    TEXASSPEED Rookie

    Mar 23, 2007
    27
    #6 TEXASSPEED, Apr 19, 2011
    Power steering leak it looks like. Common problem with 360's. If I am not mistaken some even have a recall on it. The power steering uses either donax tx or ta, I can't remember. But either way it is a transmission fluid.
     
  7. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,199
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #7 PAP 348, Apr 19, 2011

    Interesting! :):)

    Looks like it has a coolant pipe to the water pump running beside the a/c hoses. Does your car have red coolant? ;);)

    I have only ever seen green dye used in a/c systems. Maybe the US uses red dye? :D:D
     
  8. mfennell70

    mfennell70 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    596
    Middletown, NJ
    #8 mfennell70, Apr 20, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. gilligan308

    gilligan308 Karting

    Dec 8, 2008
    141
    S.W.Florida
    Full Name:
    Brian
    #9 gilligan308, Apr 21, 2011
    Green Dye Is Normally used for locating leaks and it also has a musty moth ball smell.Keep looking and or try a higher frequency UV light source and protective eye wear to protect from UV. My light is very strong UV but works great for finding stubborn leaks.Don't think it is A/C refridgerant
     
  10. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,199
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #10 PAP 348, Apr 21, 2011
    Im still not convinced. :D:D

    Have you checked the coolant on your 360? Is it red? :):)

    Even better, touch those red drips and have a feel and smell of it. You will soon know if its oil or coolant. :):)

    +1. :):)
     
  11. mfennell70

    mfennell70 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    596
    Middletown, NJ
    #11 mfennell70, Apr 21, 2011
    I know the automatic assumption is that I'm an idiot and can't possibly right. I'm OK with that. :)

    This car is spotlessly clean underneath. It's obvious using the light that the leak is originating at the fitting. That is the ONLY place the liquid presents. Googling "red air conditioner oil" nets a product called TRACE.

    Does anyone agree with me yet? :D
     
  12. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,199
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #12 PAP 348, Apr 21, 2011
    Interesting, it must be red dye then eh? :D:D

    I have never heard of TRACE, but using that and black light then it MUST be a leaking hose then. :D:D

    As mentioned earlier, we use green dye in our a/c systems here and I thought that was the standard worldwide seeing as I have read of others using it here also and I have not seen anything else in person. :):)

    To repair, remove the hose and have a new one made up at a local a/c specialist. Would be a lot cheaper than $410 and last just as long if not longer. :):)
     
  13. roanokejim

    roanokejim Rookie

    Apr 25, 2011
    8
    #13 roanokejim, Apr 25, 2011
    I think it is a common problem. I am always enountering that higher pressure. I hope we can fix it immediately. :D
     

Share This Page