How long will refrigerant last with a leak?

The duration that remaining refrigerant will last in a leaking air conditioning system is entirely unpredictable and depends directly on the physical size, location, and severity of the leak itself. If a system has a microscopic pinhole leak in a rubber hose O-ring or a tiny crack in a soldered joint, the pressurized refrigerant gas may take several months or even an entire summer season to escape completely, resulting in a gradual loss of cooling efficiency over time. Conversely, if the system suffers a severe rupture, a major hose split, or a puncture from road debris hitting the condenser coil, all remaining refrigerant can vent out into the atmosphere in a matter of seconds or minutes, causing an instant and total loss of cooling. You can troubleshoot by monitoring vent temperatures. You can verify leak severity when pressure tests reveal how fast the system loses its charge.