Is my outside unit leaking oil or condensation?
Noticing a green liquid dripping from the bottom of an outside unit makes it hard to tell whether you are looking at harmless condensation or a leaking oil tank. Without knowing the difference, it is difficult to determine if the equipment is failing.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Calling a technician
- 2Touching the liquid to check if it is oily
- 3Checking if the unit is still working
- 4Using dish soap and water
- 5Looking into cheap budget refrigerant detectors from hardware stores
- 6Having a technician periodically repressurize the system
- 7Using leak sealant and UV dye
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is this oil tank leaking or is it condensation? Nothing on the floor.”source ↗
“Moved into a dorm room and shortly after the AC system sprung a leak and can't hold refrigerant for more than a day it seems.”source ↗
“Maintenance has refilled it 3 times so far but hasn't been able to find the leak, seems management is cheap and doesn't provide the tools except dish soap and water.”source ↗
“I’ve been struggling with a slow refrigerant leak for about 6 months (since I moved into this home).”source ↗
“Every couple months the unit stops cooling the house and my HVAC guy comes out and repressurizes the system”source ↗
“Two months later, the system no longer cools.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 5Is a clear fluid leak from my car or heat pump dangerous?
- 14Water dripping from electrical switches behind walls
- 5What is this random dripping exterior pipe on my house?
- 12How to find a hidden engine oil leak spraying on components
- 5Unexplained powder leak under car