The Nissan Path

It's a small cylinder one the right hand side, near the radiator.

I had just started the car and heard a small explosion. It sounded like I had run over a can full of soda.

Once I got out of the car, I saw antifreeze coming from under the car and little green pellets once I opened the hood.

That cylinder is part of the condensor. see link below:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/pathfinder ... _6889.html

So its part of the ac system? I asked because I thought that was antifreeze that I saw. Was it acrefrigerant?

Yeah, that's the liquid tank for the A/C system, which is the system's filter. Have to admit it's the first time I've ever seen that happen! The reason you probably thought it was coolant that you thought you saw was because Nissan installs green dye in the system from the factory. What you saw was not coolant, bye air conditioning oil with green dye. As mentioned in the above post, it comes as part of the AC condensor. On earlier Pathfinders (R50/WD21) and on most Nissan vehicles, it was available as a seperate componant.

thanks to both of you for helping me out. you're right. It was green and it lead me to believe it was antifreeze.

The part isn't too pricey, $100 or so. Hopefully, the labor isn't too bad.

thanks again.

The expensive part will be getting your AC system recharged with R134a. That stuff is about $60/lb, and the guys qualified to use it charge accordingly!

Up here in Canada, you can't even handle that stuff without a license.

The big question is why did this happen and how to be sure it doesn't happen again? I've never heard of that happening before.

Good point. I guess I assumed it was just a failure of the accumulator, I think that's what the canister is. Keeps vapour from entering the condensor.

Could be wrong. Will have to do some more reading on it.

T

It's a "liquid tank"...serves the same purpose as an accumulator. Either the tank was made defective or the high pressure side went over the limit. I would, though, think the hose would blow out before the tank, if that was the case. Whoever charges the system will have to keep an eye on the pressures (as he should, anyway).

disallow wrote:The expensive part will be getting your AC system recharged with R134a. That stuff is about $60/lb, and the guys qualified to use it charge accordingly!

Up here in Canada, you can't even handle that stuff without a license.

You can actually buy R134a at auto stores here in the states. However you will need to fix the system, then have it vacuumed out to get all the moisture out and then you can put the R134a in yourself.

The problem is with the R-134 cans you buy at the stores is that the ones with the gauge only have a low side gauge. In a case like this, I would definately want to see the high pressure readings. So, unless one has a set of R-134a AC pressure gauges, he's be better off letting a shop do it that has the appropriate equipment.

volvite wrote:

disallow wrote:The expensive part will be getting your AC system recharged with R134a. That stuff is about $60/lb, and the guys qualified to use it charge accordingly!

Up here in Canada, you can't even handle that stuff without a license.

You can actually buy R134a at auto stores here in the states. However you will need to fix the system, then have it vacuumed out to get all the moisture out and then you can put the R134a in yourself.

Yep, I have bought this stuff to top off my system. Had a leak over winter as couple years ago. 2 cans from Walmart later, and 2 years later, still going strong. The product had some kind of sealant and seal conditioner in it which must have licked my leak issue.

Told my uncle, who is a qualified AC guy, and he was upset because he's spent all this cash on equipment and training to allow him to charge like crazy for this. What would have easily cost me $500 at a shop cost less than $50. Me likey!

I wouldn't try it in this one. I'm gonna let the pros take care of this one. I don't have the tools anymore and it would take me way longer than the couple of hours the shop mentioned.

They quoted me $136 for the labor and $262 for the part. I'll get the part from Napa hopefully and take it to the shop (not the dealer)

I am baffled as to how this happened. I didn't notice anything odd while driving the car or using the ac. Everything seemed fine and normal.

Agree with your decision. If you are uncomfortable doing a repair, the cost to have it done is a better feeling then getting in above your head in repairs. Hopefully that shop will fix it right the 1st time.

just to repair shop, which is less the 10 miles away or would it just be better to get it towed?