jackemiller
Member
Does anyone know if I can test my ac unit for leaks of it doesnt have freon in it?
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Ac unit freon leak
- Thread starter jackemiller
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
Can you draw a vacuum on it?
Wrench97
Well-known member
To find the leak you need pressure of some type be it nitrogen and soap bubbles or freon and soap bubbles or a leak detector.
If it's empty you can usually get a good idea by looking for a oil stain where it leaked out.
If it's empty you can usually get a good idea by looking for a oil stain where it leaked out.
OP
jackemiller
Member
It's a home split unit with a heat pump. There's no freon in it currently. I am wanting to find the leak without having g to call a hvac tech right now.
Hi,
In auto ac some guys throw about 120psi of air and use a soap spray bottle.
Nitrogen would be better but you are going to pump it out after you fix the leak anyway?
The other thing is, putting just enough freon and dye to find the leak?
In auto ac some guys throw about 120psi of air and use a soap spray bottle.
Nitrogen would be better but you are going to pump it out after you fix the leak anyway?
The other thing is, putting just enough freon and dye to find the leak?
kbeefy
Well-known member
Just pressurize it with shop air or nitrogen.
Is it R134?
Like seagiant said, the moisture will be vacuumed out at recharge.
Is it R134?
Like seagiant said, the moisture will be vacuumed out at recharge.
rkevins
Well-known member
Remember if you use air it contains lots of moisture and can contain oil, both are considered contaminants in refrigeration.
justinjoyal
Well-known member
You’re gonna need a tech anyway... why not call one now ?
OP
jackemiller
Member
It's a home AC unit, not a vehicle AC unit. I will need a tech eventually to do the final charge of freon. I want to find the leak, fix it or replace the bad component, then call a tech to charge it up with freon. It takes R22, which I know is going to be hard to find and expensive ��
Instead of having them come out and charge me twice, plus I'm out of work right now due to an accident where I lost 1 finger and lost most function in 2 others, so my income is not the best ☹. So I'm trying to do what I can on my own
Instead of having them come out and charge me twice, plus I'm out of work right now due to an accident where I lost 1 finger and lost most function in 2 others, so my income is not the best ☹. So I'm trying to do what I can on my own
Just pressurize it with shop air or nitrogen.
Is it R134?
Like seagiant said, the moisture will be vacuumed out at recharge.
curious, if i pressurize the a/c system in my truck with shop air it wont damage any of the a/c components, obviously evacuating after leak found and fixed.
acmikee
Well-known member
DO NOT PRESSURIZE IT WITH SHOP AIR it will put moisture in the system
use nitrogen to pressurize it and use an electronic leak detector or soap
the tech can do it in one trip just tell him that it is flat and R22.
look for oil stains on the condenser coil or hp/lp switches on the evap look for rubbing on the cap tubes
use nitrogen to pressurize it and use an electronic leak detector or soap
the tech can do it in one trip just tell him that it is flat and R22.
look for oil stains on the condenser coil or hp/lp switches on the evap look for rubbing on the cap tubes
OP
jackemiller
Member
Ok guys, I really appreciate the advice! I'll have to call a tech to come fill it then because I dont have nitrogen or anything like that to pressurize the system with. Unless yall know that I could get nitrogen relatively cheap and pressurize myself?
acmikee
Well-known member
a welding supply house will have the nitrogen you pay a deposit on the bottle but they probably dont rent the regulator.
Hi,
I think guys are using shop air that is also set up for Plasma Cutters and have water traps and filters to make dry air.
From what I understand, they also pump down and hold for a few hours to make sure the moisture comes out of the lube,"PAG" oil in the system.
As was stated Nitrogen is better and for what these Mechanics are charging to work on AC probably not that expensive in the scheme of things?
I think guys are using shop air that is also set up for Plasma Cutters and have water traps and filters to make dry air.
From what I understand, they also pump down and hold for a few hours to make sure the moisture comes out of the lube,"PAG" oil in the system.
As was stated Nitrogen is better and for what these Mechanics are charging to work on AC probably not that expensive in the scheme of things?
OP
jackemiller
Member
That's awesome, thank yall. After reading this I'll be looking for a welding supply close to me to do that and get a regulator. Yall have really helped me out, I appreciate it!
Hi,
Saw this, which I was not aware of, or had heard about before.
We do want to stay safe!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compressed air mixed with non-CFC refrigerants and solvents can create flammable mixtures. The elevated partial pressure of oxygen increases the ability of all materials that can combust to become more flammable. It is the same as lighting a cigarette in an oxygen tent - what used to burn slow now can go boom.
Using nitrogen to leak check is much safer. AFAIK, no one has gotten themselves blown up using R-134a and air, but there have been fatalities from people mixing air and R-22 together at elevated pressures. The one that got the most attention was someone welding a tank containing R-22 and air - parts of the tank went over a mile, and there was no trace of the welders.
Both R-134a and R-22 don't burn at atmospheric presure in air, so are considered non-flammable. Materials that burn at atmospheric pressure in air are marked as flammable.
Saw this, which I was not aware of, or had heard about before.
We do want to stay safe!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compressed air mixed with non-CFC refrigerants and solvents can create flammable mixtures. The elevated partial pressure of oxygen increases the ability of all materials that can combust to become more flammable. It is the same as lighting a cigarette in an oxygen tent - what used to burn slow now can go boom.
Using nitrogen to leak check is much safer. AFAIK, no one has gotten themselves blown up using R-134a and air, but there have been fatalities from people mixing air and R-22 together at elevated pressures. The one that got the most attention was someone welding a tank containing R-22 and air - parts of the tank went over a mile, and there was no trace of the welders.
Both R-134a and R-22 don't burn at atmospheric presure in air, so are considered non-flammable. Materials that burn at atmospheric pressure in air are marked as flammable.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Lots of truly bad advice. NEVER use compressed air to leak check. Dehydrated nitrogen. You also cannot properly leak check by pulling a vacuum.
Tommy
Tommy
OP
jackemiller
Member
Thank yall! I am hoping to go and swap a tank to get a nitrogen tank. How would I pull a vacuum on that system?
Wrench97
Well-known member
With a A/C vacuum pump.
drwheels
Well-known member
Never use oxygen
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
curious, if i pressurize the a/c system in my truck with shop air it wont damage any of the a/c components, obviously evacuating after leak found and fixed.
There is a reason why professional use a vacuum pump or nitrogen instead of air. Simply evacuating the system, even letting it sit for 30 minutes at very low vacuum MAY not get all of the moisture you put into it out !
OP
jackemiller
Member
Yeah I'm familiar with servicing auto AC but know nothing about residential AC. I appreciate all the help yall. I didnt know they used a vacuum pump on home ac like I do on auto ac. I'll have to look around for one, vacuum it out, charge with nitrogen and hopefully find my leak.