Since the system is open, you will need to replace the dryer also...

 

Any system should be run every so often to prevent things like this leak. Most A/C systems are good for many years but must be operated.

I would attempt a self fill if it was me. See what the system does and go from there. I also would not go to a dealer for this unless it is warranty work.....find a good local A/C shop.

 

I wouldn't say any system. Running an ac system, especially at your home, in the winter time can be catastrophic to the compressor.

And yes, you'll probably want to replace the dryer, not knowing how long it's been leaking. Sometimes if it just starts to leak and you fix it right away, you can get by without a dryer, but don't take a chance on damaging the other components.

 

Don't most modern cars have a temperature sensor that prevents the compressor from engaging if it is too cold out?

 

That leak is not enough that you would need to add oil. No, refrigerant does not have oil in it, but I think they make it with oil and even with leak detector.
The main reason to run your a/c is to keep the front seal lubed on the compressor. You should do it say every couple weeks and even in the winter. You only have to run it for a minute or so.
I would get a charging kit from your local parts store and add refrigerant to the system myself. I think with those you need to have it running and the hose will connect to the low side of the system. The low side has the larger lines than the high side does. It should tell you exactly what to do in the kit. We have a re-cycle machine at work so it's been awhile since I did one without the machine.
I wouldn't open and repair the hose at this time, charge it and see how long it lasts. If it only lasts a few months, have it fixed but it may last a couple years.
I have many times changed an O ring on hoses that only takes 10 minutes or so and vacumned it and charged it without changing the drier. The drier is there to take moisture out of the system, if you leave the system open very long it will take the moisture out of the atmosphere and be junk.

 

If you've ever used the defrost setting on the heater to clear the front windows and windshield, your compressor has cycled. All modern cars do it.
Air conditioning dries the air. That's the original purpose of it. Cooling is a welcome side-affect.
I had a Mazda Protege that the A/C didn't work in. Rainy winters sucked as much as hot summers did with that car.

 

The compressor won't run below about 45 degrees F regardless of defroster setting.

Take it to a shop, have the leak repaired and the system evacuated and charged. Anything else will be a kludge at best.

 

[The compressor won't run below about 45 degrees F regardless of defroster setting. )

That's news to me, I've been working on this stuff for 35 years and I can get any of my vehicles compressors to turn on under 45*.

(Take it to a shop, have the leak repaired and the system evacuated and charged. Anything else will be a kludge at best.)


It's easy to say take it in and get it fixed right, but not all of us have the $$ to do that, my guess is that's why most of us are using these types of forums.

Just my 2 cents....

 

That's news to me, too...

Sooooooo, how does my windshield defroster work in the winter when it's about 10 degrees outside? The compressor kicks on in defrost mode.

 

I didn't mean to come off sounding like a *****. If I did, I apologize

From here on page 5:

"the A/C compressor will operate if the outside temperature is above approximately 2°C (35°F)."

This is done to prevent damage to the compressor from operating in too cold an environment. I said 45 degrees which was the norm back in the old days when I did this for a living.

Replacing any lost oil and proper evacuation of the system is the right way to do it. If you are indeed on a shoestring budget, you can try the recharge yourself. Doing this without a manifold gauge set could result in overcharging the system though which could result in bad things happening.

Peace.