Posted By: IMGTX
Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 02:57 PM
I have tried the die and assorted stuff but It seems like I can never find those small nagging A/C leaks.
Any good ideas?
Any good ideas?
Best way to find A/C leaks.
Posted By: 68HemiB
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 04:30 PM
Wish I could help, but I sometimes find myself in the same boat. My source from whom I could borrow the sensitive sniffer (which helped about 50% of the time) moved away. My last try with the UV dye to find a slow leak met with no result (other than me longing for my youth and old teenage bedroom with the Zonk and SuperPeace posters).
I ended up taking the percentage bet, and throwing a [thankfully on hand, good used] compressor at the problem. It fixed it.
So I guess my constructive contribution here is to
I ended up taking the percentage bet, and throwing a [thankfully on hand, good used] compressor at the problem. It fixed it.
So I guess my constructive contribution here is to
Posted By: Crunchy_Frog
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 04:44 PM
I do believe a FLIR thermal imager would be the best, quickest, and posibly most expensive.
Posted By: NachoRT74
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 06:19 PM
some ppl down here uses a soapy water to get wet all the lines and fittings to check for bubbles...
of course thats not posible on crank seal, but works fine on the rest
of course thats not posible on crank seal, but works fine on the rest
Posted By: fal3
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 06:53 PM
My brother-in-law made a fitting that connects to the a/c lines & allows you to fill the system w/ compressed air-usually about 40-50 psi. All you do is listen for leaks. I used the fitting on my '91 Dakota w/ r-12 & it helped me find the leak in the coils buried in the dash. Like you, the dye didn't help me find the leaks that are buried.
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 06:59 PM
Know the system and the problem areas.
Most leaks are at the fitting seals, the compressor shaft seal or other places where 2 parts come together. There are also evaporator leaks and condenser leaks (more common), hose leaks and ceacked lines (less common).
The leak checkers are better than the dyes, but different leaks require different tools. Have and use all of them.
Most leaks are at the fitting seals, the compressor shaft seal or other places where 2 parts come together. There are also evaporator leaks and condenser leaks (more common), hose leaks and ceacked lines (less common).
The leak checkers are better than the dyes, but different leaks require different tools. Have and use all of them.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 08:35 PM
Quote:
I do believe a FLIR thermal imager would be the best, quickest, and posibly most expensive.
Does Auto Zone rent that "FLIR thermal imager"? Sounds like everyone should have one in there glove compartment.
The last 2 leaks I repaired here lately were both evaporators. One on a 2000 F-450 and a 98 chevy truck.
If I can't find anything outside than 95% chance it's the evaparator.
Picture of my Florencent light and dye injector,for anyone interested.
Was gonna tell you it was a thermal imagery thingy.
Posted By: Scott Carl
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 11:00 PM
I know this is a bit OT but it's A/C related. When my dad passed, he left me his tools and and such. Among them was a A/C recovery vacuum and A/C gauges etc. I went to use the pump and found that it didn't work. Went to my local auto parts store to see if they had one I could rent. The guy I usually deal with spoke softly and said, "I didn't tell you this, but hook up your gauges and the one you would hook up to the pump just hook it to an engine vacuum and let the car run until the gauges run negative vacuum. Add freon and your good to go." Well I don't know how common this knowledge is and I know how illegal it could be and I'm not saying I actually did it 
so DAMHIK it works but it "probably" does! Now remember, "I did NOT tell you this" 
The system didn't have any freon to leak into the atmophere anyway because it already had 
Warm air was blowing on "Max A/C" hence the need to vacuum in the first place 
so DAMHIK it works but it "probably" does! Now remember, "I did NOT tell you this" The system didn't have any freon to leak into the atmophere anyway because it already had Warm air was blowing on "Max A/C" hence the need to vacuum in the first place
Posted By: Crunchy_Frog
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 11:18 PM
Quote:Quote:
I do believe a FLIR thermal imager would be the best, quickest, and posibly most expensive.
Does Auto Zone rent that "FLIR thermal imager"? Sounds like everyone should have one in there glove compartment.
I sure wish they did, or even sun belt. I was surprised with how useful they are when i started using one.
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 11:52 PM
Scott Carl, since you didn't do it 
, I will add this for those that might try; burning refrigerant creates phosgene. VERY nasty stuff!!!!
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Phosgene_gas_exposure_from_working_with_freon.
, I will add this for those that might try; burning refrigerant creates phosgene. VERY nasty stuff!!!!http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Phosgene_gas_exposure_from_working_with_freon.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/27/10 11:53 PM
Some A/C shops recommend leak testing with nitrogen when all else fails.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/28/10 12:03 AM
Quote:
Scott Carl, since you didn't do it
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Phosgene_gas_exposure_from_working_with_freon.
A long time ago(1985) I broke loose some AC fittings on a 76 dart in my gargae during the winter. I had one of those round wick type kerosene heaters sitting on the floor in my 2 car garage which was on, I looked out from under the hood to see a thick black smoke coluum pouring out of the top of the heater the same diameter as the heater. It filled my garage from the ceiling half way down to the floor in a minutes time. Luckly I noticed it before it was too late and got my garage door open and I ran out of there. I felt sick for a while after that.
That was the last time I ever sat anything on the floor of my garage with a open flame, wall heaters for me from then on. It was bad gas fast when the freon got to the open flame. FWIW
Posted By: Scott Carl
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/28/10 12:05 AM
Quote:
Scott Carl, since you didn't do it
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Phosgene_gas_exposure_from_working_with_freon.
I knew there had to be a down side, but thanks
That sound worse that welding on galvanized steel 
Posted By: chache876
Re: Best way to find A/C leaks. - 05/28/10 01:33 AM
if youre not using those yellow tinted glasses when looking for leaks using the uv dye I would suggest picking up a pair of those. They make spotting the leak 100x easier