HVAC Leak Detection!

[lzenglish]

As we are all in this same boat that the EPA has put us in now, with these way over priced refrigerant cost prices, it is getting more and more prevelent, to make sure our systems, are tight, with no leaks. This process is the easiest, if you have a package unit, where all the working parts and componenets are in the same box, (so to speak). Over the years, I have chased many leaks with pretty good results, but it has always been a pain in the "***" for me, as I feel like a flunky when I needed to do it, so I thought I would share some of my methods, and hope some others can add, or take away from it. Usually,the first sign of a leak, is that your system runs, all day in the cool mode, and rarely shuts off, without satisfying the thermostat ! Also, you may have a leak, if your local HVAC tech. is addiing refrigerant to your system on a yearly basis, with no explanatation as to Why. Anywho, I learned many years ago, that to always look for the following, when chasing a leak: 1.) Any signs of oil, on any soldered, or mechanical joints, as the compressor oil migrates thru out the system. 2), And maybe should have been first, the service valves, are the first and last place that few techs. ever looks for a leak up front.


Wayne

 

[hobie1dog]

Excellent Wayne, as the Sheeple have been having the wool pulled over their eyes for so long they can't see **** anymore. Year after year, I would ask,
" If your car tire was low, would you just keep putting air in it, or find out where it was leaking and fix it? "

My son's house he just bought had a leak at the high side service valve, found it easily with a new H10G leak detector(120 volt model). I've never found a battery powered model that was worth walking out the supply house with.

 

[clueless]

some systems you can put the dye in it and look at it with the fluorescent light to find the leaks. done that with quite a few car a/c systems..

friend of mine works on refer units on trucks,and he said that they do not want you to dye the oil because of the pressure the systems and the temperatures they run gums the oil up.

the sniffer he uses works good on any leaks,really sensitive.cannot remember the name on it,but it was expensive when he bought it!

 

[pop pop]

Most often overlooked leak is the schrader valves. When the gage set is attached and leaks are being searched for, it is covered. Take off the gages after refilling and assume the leak is too small to be worth finding only to walk away opening up the leak again. This is especially true on automobile systems.

 

[Full Throttle]

Bacharach H10-g
http://www.testersandtools.com/Bacharach-H10G-Refrigerant-Leak-Detector.php

it's the only thing I use, and I use it daily on car, refer's, commercial, and Industrial chillers. It has never let me down.