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How do you find a leak in a car air conditioner?

My air conditioning isn't working and I think there might be a leak. It looks like there's going to be a heatwave in my area next week and my husband is sensitive to high temperatures, so I want to make sure he's okay to use the car even in hot weather. How can I tell if there's a leak in my AC? And how can I fix it if there is?

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Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“That’s a rough set of circumstances for sure! The quickest and easiest way to find out if you have a leak in your air conditioning system is to visit a mechanic or an auto repair shop—generally, unless you notice water dripping from your car, it’s almost impossible to tell if there’s a leak on your own.
One way that a repair shop can tell if you have a leak is by flushing your system with UV dye. If there is a leak, they can use a UV light to detect it. You can also purchase and apply this dye yourself, but it may be difficult to do it at home if you’re unfamiliar with cars.
Beyond a leak, there are other reasons why your air conditioning might not be working. Common problems include:
  • Blocked/clogged condenser
  • Broken condenser
  • Electrical issues
  • Faulty cooling fans
  • Bad compressor
Again, it can be hard to diagnose these issues at home, so if you’re having problems with your air conditioning, you should visit a repair shop or your car dealership.
If you want to make sure you’re covered for any other eventuality like this, it might be good to make sure you’re getting the most coverage on your
car insurance
for your budget. One easy way to check is through the
Jerry app
—we’ll get you competitive quotes from multiple providers so you can simply choose the plan that works best for you. And if you do choose a new policy or provider, we’ll help you switch!
Best of luck with the AC and the heat wave! Hopefully you and your husband stay cool out there.”
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