[01safari]

Are there any common places to look for A/c leaks? My compressor was cycling alot this summer, low about a pound, so I topped it off. It has been good all season, but it seems to cycle more frequently lately. Any places to look first?

2001 safari w/ front and rear air.

Thanks, Jim

 

[rev_les]

next time you refill it, put in the refrigerant with dye. Then check the evaporator core, the front of the compressor,and the lines going into and out of the compressor. If it's not one of those, keep looking. If you have rear a/c, someone else might have a few tips too about where to start on those as well.

 

[01safari]

I did use dye, but have not looked real hard yet, Just a quick look around. nothing obvious yet.

 

[rev_les]

One of mine leaks out the front compressor seal, the other has a slow leak out the seal around the pressure switch on back of the compressor,which I didn't find until I fixed the leaking suction and output line seals.

 

[SWC1969]

The most common place is at the compressor case seal where the two halves of the compressor join together. If dye has been added, you can usually spot it at the bottom of the compressor.

 

[guyonearth]

I have to second that, the most common leaks are the compressor itself.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I have a '97 that leaked on the rear Al lines to the rear AC by the left rear tire. My brothers '99 leaked on the Al lines to the rear AC left of the transmission. Both of ours leaked all the R-134 in 2 days-2 weeks. It all part of driving on midwest roads during winter :driving: He got his lines from U-Pull-It in Blue Island for $10 :clap:

How long does it take yours to leak out? Even before the line leak, mine needed recharge every 2-3 years.

 

[acmech13]

go around the joints with a deteck. If u don't have access to a deteck then soap and bubbles work find. just spread it out on the joints and lines. the leak will make bubbles. i think its easier to fix then constanly wasting hot shot, or 134a. also check around the service ports. check any connections around your accumulator. Anywhere the pipes connect.

 

[01safari]

It never really leaked out completely. Over the summer the compressor was cycling alot and I had to top it off. Now it seems to be cycling more often again. I figured I would look around a bit before next summer.

 

[acmech13]

u should look for oil its a pure sign of a leak.

 

[01safari]

O.K. it's hot out again. The system leaked down over the winter. I added a couple of cans with dye to try and find the leak. As soon as I removed the low side connector, I could hear a hissing sound coming from the shreader valve. I was able to recover it with a Robinaire machine and replace the valve. After vacuuming it down, it passed a leak test. But I am still skeptical that this was the leak. After letting it sit for a few hours, I checked the van with a "sniffer". At times it would indicate leakage from the vents, but not always. I am thinking of pulling the blower motor to see if there is any evidence of dye. Anyone know if you can get a good look through the blower hole? How tough is an evaporator to do?

:shrug:

 

[Astroplane]

Check condensation drain for dye. Got a blacklight and UV goggles?

 

[01safari]

yes, i do. i will check the drain. seems alot easier than pulling the blower motor. Thanks for the tip!