Refrigerant leak through sensor wiring harness?

[JHZR2]

Have a look…

In that wiring connector is dye and oil. Note, the spot where the wire connects to the red high pressure sensor body is sealed with a green epoxy.

But in the wiring connector is oil and green dye. It wasn’t there last week that I recall. The harness isn’t wet, it’s coming from the wire itself.

Has anyone seen this before? Refrigerant leak via a wiring harness?

It’s not enough to register a pressure change in the week since I filled it.

If this is the case, Ill probably have the system recovered, flushed, and filled with mineral oil to prep for r-12.

 

[michaelluscher]

Stranger things have happened
I know VWs like to have oil and or coolant forced down through the harness when a respective sensor/switch fails or leaks internally

Does the switch have a Schrader behind it, allowing a swap without a charge R&R?

 

[Timmastertech]

It wouldnt be the first time that a pressure sensor or switch leaked through the connector.

 

[Chris142]

My friend that loves those cars has to replace those switches on every one he gets.

 

[dishdude]

Not uncommon for sensors to have a seal fail and wick oil up through the wiring. Seen it with transmission sensors, engine oil pressure sensors.

 

[Chris142]

Btw. That receiver drier looks like it needs to be replaced.

 

[dishdude]

Btw. That receiver drier looks like it needs to be replaced.

I don't think I've ever seen one with a sight glass.

 

[JHZR2]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a sight glass.

R-12 systems used sight glasses because it was a way to verify it was full. This is a high quality 1991 car after all.

 

[JHZR2]

Btw. That receiver drier looks like it needs to be replaced.

Why? Just because of the surface rust?

The hoses definitely have some light surface corrosion, looks worse in photos with artificial light than in real life.

If/when I open the system to replace the sensor leaking out, it will definitely get a replacement r/d.

 

[spasm3]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a sight glass.

Common on R-12 systems.

 

[CDX825]

Oh yeah Ive seen it before on residential and commercial equipment that uses those types of pressure switches.

 

[Fitter30]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a sight glass.

T flow driers have been around since the 1960's by different manufacturers. Been in the trade since 1970 have only seen one that was in my fathers junk ( he was in the trade). There still made.

https://muellerrefrigeration.com/uploads/T-Flow_Drier_and_Moisture_Indicator_Assembly.pdf

 

[dumkid]

Stranger things have happened
I know VWs like to have oil and or coolant forced down through the harness when a respective sensor/switch fails or leaks internally

Does the switch have a Schrader behind it, allowing a swap without a charge R&R?

ah yes the old coolant level sensor

pressurized expansion bottle would force coolant through sensor wires to the fuse box, and a few people had coolant literally everywhere after the coolant made it through the whole harness.

Coolant migration!?!? Please help!

I have an '02 Passat GLX and the last few months have been awful. Car has died on the road on us at least 5 times! Started with a fuel pump, replaced, $600. Broke again, replaced (covered). Then the throttle body, replaced, $1,200. Next day, car dies again. Dealer does a deep dive and...

www.vwvortex.com

 

[michaelluscher]

ah yes the old coolant level sensor

pressurized expansion bottle would force coolant through sensor wires to the fuse box, and a few people had coolant literally everywhere after the coolant made it through the whole harness.

Coolant migration!?!? Please help!

I have an '02 Passat GLX and the last few months have been awful. Car has died on the road on us at least 5 times! Started with a fuel pump, replaced, $600. Broke again, replaced (covered). Then the throttle body, replaced, $1,200. Next day, car dies again. Dealer does a deep dive and...

www.vwvortex.com

Only VW would have people confused

"I went to change my tail light bulb, but there's purple goo leaking from the wiring"

G12 coolant 😲

 

[Chris142]

I don't think I've ever seen one with a sight glass.

Most did back then

 

[brianl703]

R-12 systems used sight glasses because it was a way to verify it was full. This is a high quality 1991 car after all.

Only ones with TXVs and receiver-dryers. CCOT (cycling clutch orifice tube) R12 systems did not usually, if ever, get a sight glass.