A/C leak detection

[WildBillyT]

Any tricks? System seems to hold pressure on the low side with the engine off but loses it when the system is turned on, so I'm guessing a high side leak? It's hard to hear a leak with the fans on and engine running.

[BonzoHansen]

dye

[WildBillyT]

Is that it, or is there a way to hook it up to compressed air and look for a hiss?

[Stevoone]

I've seen other techs use leak detectors. The one we have at the shop is really touchy and I never use it, i'd rather use dye unless its a larger more obvious leak. similar to these (ours is really old) http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_5ka58bgawy_e


The main problem I could see with using compressed air would be the moisture you would let into the system. Unless you can vacuum it out for a long period of time you may create more problems.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Is that it, or is there a way to hook it up to compressed air and look for a hiss?

no. dye or an ac sniffer

[MyFirstZ]

I've never found an a/c sniffer that is accurate.

If you can see all the areas that the high and low pressures line bolt to that will use o-rings to seal you can try spraying windex or some sorta of soapy water to see if it bubbles otherwise dye is the best.

You can also have a cracked evaporater and be leaking in the heater box sometimes you can see dye where the drain tube would leak out to.

[WildBillyT]

Dye it is. Thanks fellas.

[WSex]

what are your running numbers on the low and high?

[sweetbmxrider]

Dye or a sniffer is what I do.

[greenformula92]

Put the Dye is and then use the A/C, go for a ride and really let the A/C run. after your drive look for the dye. Mine is leaking out of the A/C compressor out of every nook in the casing itself. and it is super obvious and easy to see. if its leaking in a tight spot a blacklight might help

[MyFirstZ]

Black light and yellow tinted glasses you get in a kit and it will be clear as day

[1984camaroz28]

Originally Posted by MyFirstZ

Black light and yellow tinted glasses you get in a kit and it will be clear as day

x2 ...

[WildBillyT]

Didn't even get that far. It's the A/C box itself.

[MyFirstZ]

A/c box ?

Talking about the evaporator? Curious

Pictures or anything

[BonzoHansen]

I'm guessing evaporator?

[WildBillyT]

Yeah, that's what I meant.



Not my car, and this is hacked up, but the dye/oil is leaking on the heat sheild near the toe pan.

[MyFirstZ]

Glad you found it.

Not sure if that only houses the evaporator or not

Think that is your tev (thermal expansion valve) where the connection is made might also have a connection inside

Just remember follow the leak from the highest point

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by MyFirstZ

Didn't know the car had no motor. Little hard to diagnose using dye that way but glad you found it.

No, it has a motor. This pic is not my car, just a good shot of the area.

[MyFirstZ]

Yeah I fixed it and edited haha

Not your car but still a 4th gen like in the picture ?

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by MyFirstZ

Yeah I fixed it and edited haha

Not your car but still a 4th gen like in the picture ?

Yes. 1995 Trans Am.

[BonzoHansen]

I might have an evap for you out of a 99

[WildBillyT]

Let me know if you do. I need to check compatabilitiy, too.

[BonzoHansen]

check it I'm 99% sure I still have it

[sweetbmxrider]

Its not that bad to do. I used to have a couple but I think I scrapped them.

[LTb1ow]

I have one from my 95