AC Receiver Drier (Accumulator?) Leaking Oil
 

I have what I believe is called a receiver drier (accumulator) that is leaking a yellowish heavy oil out of what looks like a bleeder hole at the lower end. This not on a truck. It is on a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6L. Any idea why it may be leaking? Is it as easy to simply replace the receiver drier and have the system recharged? The AC works fine but I am afraid the oil that is leaking is used to lube the compressor so i am not running the AC. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Erv

I don't remember those having any kind of hole near the bottom.

Thanks for the reply critterfi. After looking closer it appears the receiver drier is inside a plastic case. It's the plastic case that has the hole in the bottom. I checked around and apparently the receiver drier has rusted and compressor oil is leaking out. Since the AC system needs to be evacuated and recharged in order to change the receiver drier, I hooked up with a local repair shop to make the repair. I do not have access to any place to work on the vehicle and I certainly do not have the equipment to recharge the system. The shop I talked to estimated around $110 to evacuate and recharge the system and around $30 for a new receiver drier. I am dropping the car off tomorrow morning. Hopefully that will fix the problem. Thanks again.

Erv

FYI - $326.00 when it was all said in done. New receiver drier, evacuate and recharge system, R & R receiver drier, 2.4 lbs of new Freon (R134), 3 ozs. compressor oil, plus a couple small shop charges. Gee, there's no oil leaking anymore and the AC is nice and cold. I'll test it out the week after next. Heading back to Texas from Maine for the winter. It's getting too cold up here!!!