Can a freon leak cause enging overheating?

[Z3DannO]

My 1990 300 ZX started running hot upon my evening drive home in the extreme heat. Only after my 45 min drive in TX evening heat and generally only after exiting the Interstate. As long as I was moving swiftly/continuously, driving without the AC or morning driving, it would run normal temp. However, within minutes of turning on the AC, it heats-up to at least 90-95% hot. Within 2 weeks, I suddenly had my freon all leak out (I heard it burst and mist out). I tried re-charging but it instantly leaks.

I am wondering if the engine overheating may have been a result of a small freon leak causing the Compressor to overwork until the line actually burst or the rupture was large enough for the freon to no longer leak in a minute way.

Does this sound like something else? I suppose once I have the leak repaired, I will know?

I appreciate any opinions.

[evodawg]

You will need to have the hose that burst replaced. Its under very high pressure and it cannot be repaired. It's a Nissan part only and it aint cheap. I had the samething happen thought it was a tire blow out at first, but no it was the air cond. high pressure hose. The hose can be a pain in the $#$ to install because it gets real tight down by the compressor.

Good Luck

[evodawg]

btw dont think the problem you had with the Air Cond. has anything to do with your overheating problem. Just my 2 cents worth

[VP4prez]

really, the only way the ac would have anything to do with the overheating is if by the small chance that all your freon(wich also keeps the compresser bearings lubed) ran out and the ac comp was binding. but even then you would have heard the belt pulling around a locked up compressor. so, 99.9% they are not related. what it really sounds like is you need a coolant system back flush at the very least