Tools for finding AC leaks

[signcrafter]

What are the best tools for finding AC leaks? I have a tracerline kit like this one, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPGXR6/?tag=atomicindus08-20. It works good but the refill cartridges for the AC dye are pretty expensive, almost making it a better deal to just buy a whole nother kit. Is there a better injection method for AC dye? A better product that has cheaper refills?

I see they make kits with just a little refillable syringe like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021UXUSQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Or a caulk gun style like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JNVO2WE/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

Or should I switch my approach and go with a sniffer tool like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HMKPMK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or do I need both? Just looking for some tips on finding AC leaks in vehicles.

 

[JJThrasher]

The dye in the caulk gun is the way to go. We get the cartridges for ~$45 from the autoparts stores and iirc they will handle over 30 cars.

 

[DemoFly]

http://www.diagnosticsuperstore.com...iateID=10056&gclid=CNK-7_qK5cwCFUiPfgodBLELhw

I have this. Works good. I've had it for awhile. I used it to sniff R-22 back when I worked HVAC and it works great for R-134a, too.

 

[Ruger_556]

Sniffers are worthless at least in my experience. Nitrogen and soapy water will find most leaks, dye and a light are kind of a fallback if there isn't an immediately obvious leak, at least for me. Many vehicles come with dye in the system already which does make a UV light a nice quick check, there won't always be enough oil at the leak for the dye to show up though.

 

[Dagny]

H 10 leak detectors are my favorite pricey though I have a tif that came with a 25 year warranty sent it back 3 times 3 times not fixed just gave up on it.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Agree that sniffers are damn near worthless. Co2 & soapy water works very well for me.
Had a TIF sniffer that cost good $ and never did work well.

 

[slip knot]

Why all the hate on sniffers? My hvac guys uses his sniffer a lot on my building ac's and they seem to work well for him. Is there an issue with auto AC that would cause them to be an issue in auto ac work. other than the fan blowing air everywhere under the hood?

 

[bonneyman]

I've tried all of the leak detector styles. Sniffer, sonic, dye, bubbles - you name it. I've had the best luck (on residential A/C) with Big Blue bubble solution and 400 PSI of dry nitrogen in the system.

http://www.refrigtech.com/Product/Leak_Detectors/Big_Blu/bigblu.html

 

[bdelmar2]

I agree with the sniffers not working well for auto ac.

I have one and know several others who do as well. Variety of brands and price from cheap to expensive and they are pretty much worthless.

To even have a chance you need an closed environment with no breeze - not the ideal situation for working on auto ac.

Only time I've had then work decent is evaporator leaks, if they go off in the passenger foot well then you know whats up.


Otherwise, as mentioned earlier a lot of the systems already have dye in them and you can often spot a leak, even without dye you can often see compressor oil around the leak.

A big leak you can hear, or maybe a little spit on the Schrader valves.

Generally if you can't find the leak with 20 mins or so (depending on vehicle) of looking at/ listening to fittings/compressor/valves its probably going to be the evaporator. In which case the sniffer might show you, or might not.


If none of that works then I shoot a couple of ounces of oil with dye in the system and have the customer come back again if the ac quits working. We have an ac machine that can inject oil so that helps, but same deal to do it manually.


Its worth noting sometimes a system won't leak under a vacuum, but will pressurized - vacuum can pull an o-ring in so it seals when it won't if pushed out.

If the leak isn't obvious I pull a vacuum and check, then pressurize the system and check again. Small leak I add the oil/dye at this time, bigger leak I just shoot a little Freon in and check again.

 

[Milton Shaw]

GM cars were bad about the hoses where they were crimped leaking. Some of them would not leak until the engine torqued in drive and twisted the hoses. I have seen a lot of those leaks years ago. Not worked on many GM since then but you could twist the hoses and the sniffer would go off. Pressurizing the system and bubble leak works on things you can get too, but not too good on compressor front seals or evaporator leaks. Loved the 77 redesign of the evaporator placement on full size GM cars. A dozen or so screws and you were were you could replace the heater core or the evaporator, big difference from having to remove the entire dash assembly to even see the evaporator housing.

 

[rlitman]

I don't hate sniffers, but I wouldn't recommend one to start with. It's the last tool in your leak detection arsenal, not the go-to method by any means.

 

[ngk22r]

Sniffers are good to use on leaks when searching the interior of the vehicle where its hard to see dye or bubbles.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I have a robinair dye kit with the replacement cartridges. It works pretty well but like others said sniffers are good for checking evaporators. Also for condensers & schrader valves if you're in an enclosed space. Schrader valves are sometimes hard to check because the dye gets on them when you add it. I have used the sniffer linked in the op & would say it's a good one for the price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[royesses]

I have a TIF Super Scanner Halogen Leak Detector 5750A that I have had no problems with. Purchased it in 2004 to replace another Tiff that I purchased in 1980. Especially good for evaporator leaks but works on the whole system. All sniffers need to be shielded from outside air unfortunately. UV dye injector works also but can take a long time to show up small leaks. Soap and water solution is inexpensive and easy to use.

 

[signcrafter]

So if you had to buy a new dye kit which one would you get?

Also when you are using soapy water what do you charge the system with? hate to waste R134a plus it's against the rules.

 

[atomicpunk]

Also when you are using soapy water what do you charge the system with? hate to waste R134a plus it's against the rules.

Just remember that every ounce of refrigerant ever made will eventually leak out to atmosphere.

 

[Motorhead67]

I have had good luck using a stethoscope when running the pre-charge vacuum.I use the rubber hose w/o the metal rod

 

[JKady]

I used a sniffer a lot when I worked in 3rd party shops, now that I'm at the dealer and the OEMS have wised up to using dye from the get go, black light is my go-to.