Confused about A/C leaks.....
 

A few weeks ago, I posted I had found some A/C oil in the evap puddle on the garage floor indicating a leak in the evaporator coil. I've been monitoring the system ever since for further oil/leak evidence and an change in the system's cooling performance....thinking that my next round of pouring yet more $$$ into the A/C will be to replace my 20 year old evap and add a procooler "while I'm in there".

To my surprise, no addl oil in the puddle and the system is working as good as it ever has. Last week it was in the low to mid 90's here in ATL with high humidity. Next week we may hit 100!

Surely A/C leaks just don't fix themselves. I should also note that I found a similar A/C oil spot under one of the front condenser fittings one day last fall and nothing since.

Why are these systems so much of a mystery? Too many components and variables?

Mark,

The evaporator coil is on the 'low' side of the system (low pressure), so the only time you would see an accumulation of oil is when the system is shut off. There is a finite amount of oil in the compressor. Don't fool yourself into a sense of false security. The oil will run out. Do you really want to replace a compressor too? (As they say in racing, 'You don't worry when the oil is coming out. You worry when it stops!')
Fix the leak now or don't run the system. On the 'low side' you also have to worry about drawing in contaminates, so make sure the filter/dryer is replaced 'while you're in there'.

Les