So my AC started to blow hot air yesterday, just in time for the sweltering 95 degree heat and ******* Venus like humidity of an SC summer. I had a petty bad front end collision in February that managed to crack the plastic casing on the side of the radiator (had to replace a lot of the front end panels and the radiator.) However, the AC worked fine right up until now. So I'm guessing I'm dealing with a slow leak as result of the wreck. Or maybe we popped or broke something fighting to get the radiator in on our own (fun fun).

Is there a way to tell if the system is completely empty of freon?

Is there an area of the condenser that is more prone to damage?-this is a guess of where a possible leak might be since I also had tor replace the radiator.

Are the cans of R134a you see at auto parts stores a viable quick fix? If so how many do I need? From what I've read searching, the system needs 1.5 pounds.

Can a shop do a dye test of some sort to determine a leak or is that always a courtesy provided along with the repair? I don't have the money to buy a damn 212$ condenser, let alone have a shop fully repair whatever may be the issue.

Thanks for any help.

 

Anyone? Even answers to the simple questions?