Article View: net.auto.tech
Article #37Re: air conditioning advice
From: ems
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1985 16:53
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1985 16:53
41 lines
2471 bytes
2471 bytes
> >
> > I have a slow leak in my a/c system (Ford, factory
> > instalation). It looses about 1 can of freon every two
> > to three weeks, and I can't locate the leak. I've
> > cleaned all the fittings and connections and looked for
> > signs of oil -nothing.
> > .... Any good ways to find a
> > leak like this? Should I replace the compressor, assuming
> > that it is the most likely source? I really hate to replace
> > anything, regardless of age, if I'm not sure that it's
> > defective (that's what dealers do, in't it?).
> >
>
> Anyway, to answer the questions, all of our local auto stores carry, for about
> $3.50, a can that contains a die (red) which will help you find your leak.
> It's standard practice in air conditioning work to use this stuff.s
...
> Also available for about $3.50 a can is a stop-leak formulation which
> I have never used but may have try on my daughter's car. Any one
> have any experience with this stuff?
>
I would not take the shotgun approach until I had proven that I
could not identify the leak source. While the red dye is good
for finding fast leaks, it often fails to find slow leaks of
the type described. I have no experience with the stop leak goop,
but that is not finding and fixing the problem; just putting a
kludge over it. Esthetically unpleasing.
What would I do? Go to an auto shop for an 'estimate'. Let them
use there hi tech freon sniffer (detects *very small* leaks by
listening for the sound it makes!) Then thinking about the repair
needed. If minor, maybe let them do it. If major (like compressor)
do it myself.
--
E. Michael Smith ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems
'If you can dream it, you can do it' Walt Disney
This is the obligatory disclaimer of everything. (Including but
not limited to: typos, spelling, diction, logic, and nuclear war)
Technical Details
Message-ID:
<2124@amdahl.UUCP>Path:
arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!nsc!amdahl!emsReferences:
<1735@akgua.UUCP> <132@inuxa.UUCP>Show Full Headers
Complete Article Headers
Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!nsc!amdahl!ems From: ems@amdahl.UUCP (ems) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Re: air conditioning advice Message-ID: <2124@amdahl.UUCP> Date: Fri, 18-Oct-85 12:53:37 EDT Article-I.D.: amdahl.2124 Posted: Fri Oct 18 12:53:37 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 21-Oct-85 03:42:33 EDT References: <1735@akgua.UUCP> <132@inuxa.UUCP> Organization: Circle C Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, Ca Lines: 41