AC freon leak...where to start...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 3
From: Northeast NE
AC freon leak...where to start...
Well, I recharged the AC in my newly acquired 1994 and it worked!!!...for a few weeks. Now its back to needing freon again.
Any experience out there that can start me on the path to finding and solving the leak?
I've done a search with no luck.
Thanks,
Marc
Any experience out there that can start me on the path to finding and solving the leak?
I've done a search with no luck.
Thanks,
Marc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
The Schrader valves are always the first Culprit! if there is still pressure in the system you can make up a Solution of dishwashing liquid mixed with water and do the Soap test, and look for bubbles. Another way to test for smaller leaks is with Dye and a Black lite.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
The Schrader valves are always the first Culprit! if there is still pressure in the system you can make up a Solution of dishwashing liquid mixed with water and do the Soap test, and look for bubbles. Another way to test for smaller leaks is with Dye and a Black lite.
I just spit on my finger and filled the valve. My 94 did the same thing. I bought a tool that you can take the shrader valve out and replace without looseing freon. Or you can just by new caps from any parts store and put on tight to hold it longer. 
You can get a cheap sniffer off fleabay for $20
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 6
More involved than you are looking for but I recently used GREEN DYED PAG 150 Oil in my system. It was easy to see plain as day (no black light needed) when it was leaking out. But to add that it's more of a system flush/fill effort.
AutoZone will loan you for free the tools to flush the system, pull vacuum, and even a DVD to explain it all (DVD well worth the time). But again, if you have just a slight leak it's probably more than you want to go.
AutoZone will loan you for free the tools to flush the system, pull vacuum, and even a DVD to explain it all (DVD well worth the time). But again, if you have just a slight leak it's probably more than you want to go.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
I also agree it could be a schrader valve as well
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Also, check the front seal of the compressor to see if its oily looking. Maybe that's why they sold it to you.
Really though, it could be a lot of things. Don't put sealant in the system. Fix it correctly...
Easiest thing is to get some dye into the system, and then see where it comes out.
Really though, it could be a lot of things. Don't put sealant in the system. Fix it correctly...
Easiest thing is to get some dye into the system, and then see where it comes out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Also, check the front seal of the compressor to see if its oily looking. Maybe that's why they sold it to you.
Really though, it could be a lot of things. Don't put sealant in the system. Fix it correctly...
Easiest thing is to get some dye into the system, and then see where it comes out.
Really though, it could be a lot of things. Don't put sealant in the system. Fix it correctly...
Easiest thing is to get some dye into the system, and then see where it comes out.
The high pressure port is not a Schrader valve but a ball valve which is known to leak. A/C shop do this job all the time because the ball does not seat correctly and (seat) pits. Usually the Schrader valve is OK (on the low side port).
I would use a Freon leak detector (sniffer) and first check for the leak. As said, check around the front of the compressor, high pressure port, drain tube of the evaporator and A/C vents in the car.
Don’t get water on the sniffer ever. A basic one will work for home use and can be bought for well under $70.
You can also go to an A/C shop as most will do a free check out with their leak detector. That may be an easy way to get started.
Dye can work if you can visibly see where it is coming out.
Last edited by pcolt94; Aug 15, 2015 at 12:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I have wondered about that. My condenser leaked and you couldn't see it because it was inside the radiator shroud. My evaporator is currently leaking, also inside a shroud. The A/C shop found it with their sniffer.
I have heard many people say the Schrader valves leak. The spit test seems to be the best test for that problem.
I have heard many people say the Schrader valves leak. The spit test seems to be the best test for that problem.
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