Quick A/C Leak Question
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Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Quick A/C Leak Question
I ran the UV detection dye through my A/C system yesterday evening, and after running the system for nearly 30 minutes I could not find a leak anywhere in the engine compartment or underneath the condenser where the lower fitting attaches. There is a slight possibility that the leak sealant contained in the dye might have fixed the leak, but my luck just isn't that good. Is there a chance the leak could be inside the cabin behind the dash?
Tech Contributor
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
A refrigeration technician would use an electronic Halogen/Refrigerant leak detector, to "sniff" the air coming from the dash A/C outlets, in order to determine if the evaporator has a leak.
You would need to pull the whole dash apart to check the evaporator for leaks with the U/V dye method........not a fun job!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: West Branch, MI
Kinda have the same problem here Ed. Picked up my ride in Oct of 2011 and being cooler weather, I didn't mess with the AC. Come spring/summer, I was planning a trip with the car to Detroit so I had the AC pulled down and then recharged. We left it on the vacuum for about 30 minutes to see if it was leaking and it showed no problem whatsoever. AC was super cold and worked all summer just fine, however in September, I noticed it was not blowing cold air, only cool. Now 6 months later, AC has no coolness to it at all, so looking at recharing again soon. Gonna have to chase that leak I guess. Good luck with yours and let me know what you find.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 340
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From: Royal Oak Michigan
I am not sure if this helps, but last summer my 1999 coupe had a leak at the compressor, as the bolt at the compressor backed out. My mechanic said this a very common failure on C5s. Tightened the bolt, recharged the system, all was good!
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Wouldn't that have shown up through the dye? I checked the area around the compressor and didn't see any signs of the dye leaking through in that area.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Yes it's possible that you might have a leak in the evaporator, which is located in the blower plenum behind the dash.
A refrigeration technician would use an electronic Halogen/Refrigerant leak detector, to "sniff" the air coming from the dash A/C outlets, in order to determine if the evaporator has a leak.
You would need to pull the whole dash apart to check the evaporator for leaks with the U/V dye method........not a fun job!
A refrigeration technician would use an electronic Halogen/Refrigerant leak detector, to "sniff" the air coming from the dash A/C outlets, in order to determine if the evaporator has a leak.
You would need to pull the whole dash apart to check the evaporator for leaks with the U/V dye method........not a fun job!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Yes it's possible that you might have a leak in the evaporator, which is located in the blower plenum behind the dash.
A refrigeration technician would use an electronic Halogen/Refrigerant leak detector, to "sniff" the air coming from the dash A/C outlets, in order to determine if the evaporator has a leak.
You would need to pull the whole dash apart to check the evaporator for leaks with the U/V dye method........not a fun job!
A refrigeration technician would use an electronic Halogen/Refrigerant leak detector, to "sniff" the air coming from the dash A/C outlets, in order to determine if the evaporator has a leak.
You would need to pull the whole dash apart to check the evaporator for leaks with the U/V dye method........not a fun job!
PS pull your seats for more room.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
After considering this for a bit, I think I'm going to have a technician do the sniff test before I tear the entire interior of the car apart. With the luck I've had lately I'd end up cracking the dash in half.
Is this test something that any A/C technician can do, or is it strictly an automotive thing?
Is this test something that any A/C technician can do, or is it strictly an automotive thing?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
After considering this for a bit, I think I'm going to have a technician do the sniff test before I tear the entire interior of the car apart. With the luck I've had lately I'd end up cracking the dash in half.
Is this test something that any A/C technician can do, or is it strictly an automotive thing?
Is this test something that any A/C technician can do, or is it strictly an automotive thing?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
There is a pressure relief valve on the back end of the compressor which sometimes leaks and there will be a wetness, oily, in the pan underneath the compressor.
Last edited by PierEagle; Mar 23, 2013 at 03:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I'll jack the car up after things dry out here. We got pounded early this morning with pouring rain and hail. Thanks.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: St Louis MO
You don't have to jack the car up. If the leak is from the pressure relief valve or, a fitting on the back of the compressor is the problem, you can see/feel the oil residue by looking down and under the compressor, from the top. May need a flashlight.
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Originally Posted by Quicksilver Vert 01
Any decent A/C or refrigeration tech should have the tool, and the right knowledge to do the test.
Any decent A/C or refrigeration tech should have the tool, and the right knowledge to do the test.
I still plan on taking the car by an A/C shop to have the vents tested for a possible leak from the evaporator but the fact that I still have cold air is blowing my mind.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; Apr 3, 2013 at 01:18 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Going on three weeks now and the air is still blowing as cold as it was when I first put the can of coolant/dye/leak sealant in. I'm thinking I might have gotten very lucky for once, but I'm not holding my breath...
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Titusville Florida
I have the same issue on my 98! I've charged the ac system 2 times in the last week and after 1-2 days it has leaked out. I also put the dye in it and did'nt find any leaks anywhere except for at the low side schrader valve by the battery, I tightened that up and its clean. I used the sniffer and it didn't alert to anything when it was charged coming out of the vents. Anybody have any suggestions on what i should do.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,763
Likes: 3,281
From: Phoenix area, AZ
I have the same issue on my 98! I've charged the ac system 2 times in the last week and after 1-2 days it has leaked out. I also put the dye in it and did'nt find any leaks anywhere except for at the low side schrader valve by the battery, I tightened that up and its clean. I used the sniffer and it didn't alert to anything when it was charged coming out of the vents. Anybody have any suggestions on what i should do.