Checking air con system for leaks

[PJutla]

Hi guys

Is there any tools out there that'll let me diagnose a air con leak on my SL500, i was thinking about using a uv dye, is there anywhere i can buy this stuff from to do this myself?

Thanks
Prit

 

[Shude]

Is there any tools out there that'll let me diagnose a air con leak on my SL500, i was thinking about using a uv dye, is there anywhere i can buy this stuff from to do this myself?

I would recommend getting an aircon specialist to do this for you! If they recharge the system and put some dye in at the same time you're looking at a bill between £50 and £100 though .

 

[jimmy]

No, definetly not a DIY job unless you get somebody to recharge the system with the UV dye and buy yourself a UV lamp. You would have to be quick though if it was a good leak.

It is also illegal to knowingly allow the refrigerant to escape into the atmosphere, so if you know there is a leak it is illegal to recharge unless you fix the leak but then you dont know where the leak is until you recharge it!!!!

 

[Steve_Perry]

As the others have posted your best bet is to take your car to an a/c specialist. In addition to the UV dye route for leak tracing, they will also have an 'electronic sniffer' that changes buzz pitch the closer it gets to an a/c system leak. I'm guessing you have a hole in your condenser somewhere as these are typically the first to fail in an a/c system.

S.

 

[Shude]

As the others have posted your best bet is to take your car to an a/c specialist. In addition to the UV dye route for leak tracing, they will also have an 'electronic sniffer' that changes buzz pitch the closer it gets to an a/c system leak. I'm guessing you have a hole in your condenser somewhere as these are typically the first to fail in an a/c system.

The guy who recharged my aircon said that the vacuum system he used to remove the existing gases is also able to tell if there is a leak, it didn't find any in my car, which doesn't explain why the gas he put in vanished after only a month!

 

[Steve_Perry]

The guy who recharged my aircon said that the vacuum system he used to remove the existing gases is also able to tell if there is a leak, it didn't find any in my car, which doesn't explain why the gas he put in vanished after only a month!

When GF looked at mine, he used a handheld electronic device that made a buzzing sound which changed pitch depending on refrigerant concentration. In the end we didn't need it as we could visibly see my condenser spewing gas

S.

 

[NormanB]

Hi guys

Is there any tools out there that'll let me diagnose a air con leak on my SL500, i was thinking about using a uv dye, is there anywhere i can buy this stuff from to do this myself?

Thanks
Prit

Prit

I would just echo the advice you have had here. Leaving aside the legislative and environmental factors, working on refrigerant circuits is not a DIY task because as well as the kit you need the knowledge.

There are 2 outcomes for you:

1. Your losses are normal and the system needs topping off.
2. You have a leak and the system will have to be evacuated, repaired, tested, drawn down and dried and then recharged with the correct amount of refrigerant and oil.

Take it to a specialist!

NormanB

 

[Satch]

Painful as it is, I suggest you will have to (i) find a decent AirCon specialist (ii) let them sort it and (iii) try to be brave when the bill is presented.

Strikes me that a vacuum device might reveal leaks, but maybe not one which takes a month to vent out the fluid. Rate of loss must be very slow and those are real buggers to locate.

 

[Andy W]

As I have said before, I repair refrigeration and air conditionin equipment for a living.

Leak detection methods that I use:

electronic hand held leak detector.
Nitrogen with a trace of gas (legal to do)
Gotec foam spray.
Ultra violet dye ( I have the full kit, waste of time)
Fairy liquid.

By pulling a vaccuum down to 1 mbar and isolating the pump so the gauge will register "pressure rise" is a good indication of the severity of the leak.
As Jimmy correctly says, it is illegal to vent off gas, or to recharge a system knowing full well a leak exists. All people who use/hanlde refrigerants including myself have to be registered for the safe handling and removal.

Leaks are actually quite easy to find if you know what you are doing.
Incidentally any refrigeration engineer should be able to recharge your car if they have the taps which cost approx £40 each + VAT. Expect to pay between £55 & £70 + VAT.for a straight forward pressure test, vaccuum dehydration and a recharge of up to 1 Kg of R134a.

Two years ago I set my brother in law up in business after he was made redundant from the Michelin tyre co, he attended a crash course in car air conditioning at a college in Manchester and he now regasses car air con.

For patten parts such as condensers etc, ring Kev at Ambitech on 01782 745700 and say you are a mate of Andy's of A1 Cooling.

 

[PJutla]

OK fair enough, i didnt know the regulations regarding the refridgerant. Does any one know of any good air con techs near Slough or High Wycombe?
Cheers fo the help guys, much appreciated, i get the feeling im gonna be grilling you guys some more in the future

Prit

 

[bluebenz1]

hi all, i also need to find a good aircon specialist, im in enfield, north london
any help much apreciated

 

[richy]

I have no connection with these guys but have used them on my previous Lexus GS300 after a recommendation from the Lexus GB club site. I just turned up and was OK as they weren't busy but you should call first I suppose and have a chat, knowledgeable guys who do as posted above, vac out test for leaks plus recharge with UV trace, free inspection a couple of weeks later or refill if leak not advised. Cost me £80.21 exactly on the Lexus , I remember it well !

http://www.vacs.co.uk/

Don't thinkthey're too far from you although my geography ain't what it used to be.

Cheers
Rich