my refridgerant leaks out over a two week period, what are ways to locate the leak
2006-07-07 10:55:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A UV-sensitive dye can be introduced into your A/C system, which will make the leak easy to find using an ultraviolet light. Kits for this can be purchased at your local auto parts store. If you are uncomfortable doing this, take it to a reputable shop.
*Edit* Actually, all this CAN be done by a do-it-yourselfer, it's just discharging your A/C that has to be done at a shop. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sell R-134a, conversion/recharge kits, or UV dye to the general public.
2006-07-07 10:58:42 · answer #1 · answered by Harry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like others have said:
1) go to a mechanic
2)go to your local auto parts store and get an A/C leak detector kit, it is usually a dye that you put into your a/c system and then check for leaks usually with a UV/black light.
3)If the leak is large, you might pick it up with soapy water and look for bubbles, but this will only work on the high pressure side..
4) purchase a "sniffer" device that senses freon leaks...should only set you back about $250.00....but unless you are going into the wrenching business, probably not for you.
A/C systems are tricky to diagnose and can be expensive, so you can have a pro look at it, or spend your money swapping out parts until you get it fixed.
2006-07-07 12:55:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a can of leak detector into the refrigerant system
after noticeable leaking has occured, wipe the pipes and parts until you see the detection die
used to be all the detectors were an easy to see red dye, now I think that for many you need ultraviolet light to see the dye
under the new laws, certification is required for some refrigeration tasks, but certification is not required just to put in some detector or some refrigerant
it is illegal to vent refrigerant
you will almost certainly need a certified technician with a refrigerant collection system to fix the leak (will require emptying and recharging the system) unless the fix is something like tighening a tubing connection that can be done with the system charged
2006-07-07 11:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the only way to test for an ac link is to take it to a certified mechanic, and they will put a special dye in the ac, that will tell them exactly where the leak is.
With the new laws concerning the realising of freon in to the air, and with the new freon that was developed, this can only be done, by a mechanic that is certified to test, and recharge air conditioners, etc
2006-07-07 10:59:36 · answer #4 · answered by dahorndogd013 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen up- i take it that you have recharged the ac a lot?? advance auto has a kit (r-134a) leak repair. about $12, but works great and very easy to do. after you have ran the car for two hours, put r 134a (regular kit) to top it off. (they have one kit that has everything in it for under $20). if you get hot agian they have red dye that you can put in and it is pretty easy to to find if u have a big leak. hope this helps- rhimes2220
2006-07-07 23:02:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
$20 a/c inspection at Pep Boys. Most leaks are due to a faulty condenser ($200).
2006-07-07 13:49:06 · answer #6 · answered by Handyman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have a dye at any auto parts store that you put in it and then the dye will come out were the leak is. I don't know what it is called.
2006-07-07 11:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by lex83201 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get near the leak, and suck out any refrigerant that you can. Swirl it in you mouth, if it makes you gag, you have a leak.
2006-07-07 10:57:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
USE SOAP WATER WITH A PAINT BRUSH, AND BRUSH THE HOSES, AND IF YOU SEE A BUBBLE THERES YOUR LEAK.
2006-07-07 10:58:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a big pice of cardboard and slide it under the car... check later for spotting.
2006-07-07 10:59:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋