Aircon leak detector? Aircon leak repair?

[ToMeToYou]

Hmm, I like to do jobs myself, have 2 cars where after topping up the gas, it all leaked out after a week or 2.

So theres obviously a leak.

Now, when I had a leak on my coolant, I bought a pressure tester kit for like £20 or £30 which helped a treat to locate the leak.

What can I use for aircon leaking? doesn't have to be the cheapest tool/device but something that must work, of course. Or... Do these leak repair kits work? the ones where you empty the contents of a bottle into the regular aircon inlet and let it seal all the leaks up?

Thanks

[Xcore]

Can of gas leak spray

[ToMeToYou]

Xcore said:

Can of gas leak spray

But do they actually work as I think they're quite expensive.

[Ste372]

If youve used the dye then get a uv light and you'll see where the leak is. 90% of the time it'll be deris damage to the condenser at front of vehicle

[ToMeToYou]

Ste372 said:

If youve used the dye then get a uv light and you'll see where the leak is. 90% of the time it'll be deris damage to the condenser at front of vehicle

How do you insert the UV dye?

[crossie]

ToMeToYou said:

How do you insert the UV dye?

Youtube is your friend for questions like this!

[Saleen836]

Following!
Had my Astra re-charged the other day and it started blowing warm air within 2-3 days!
Odd though as when their machine did the routine check it came back reporting 'no leak detected'

I think judging by a quick google that a failed condenser is the culprit as it's a common fault apparently

[ToMeToYou]

Guys.. Another question...

Does the compressor clutch kick in regardless if theres gas in the system or not?
Had engine running for 15 mins today to check it, and it is not spinning at all the entire time.

Im thinking that its supposed to spin even with no gas in the system? if so, i have a bad compressor.
If im wrong, then I guess its a leak somewhere.

If the latter, I am thinking to pop to halfrauds, buying the STP super seal kit, pumping it in and then going to get the aircon regassed and see how it goes.

[E-bmw]

The compressor will NOT click in if there is insufficient pressure to operate the switch or the switch is stuffed.

DON'T put that stuff in, within a relatively short period of time you will be replacing the whole system, fix the fault.

[TUS373]

You can read my experience of changing a condenser on my Lexus in a recent thread. I started thinking along the route of recharging the AC system with a Halfords style kit, but being a hybrid, those are not suitable.

The dealer diagnosed a failed condenser. Once pointed out, it was easy enough to see oil staining on the condenser surface where it had leaked (like it had been sprayed with WD40). I changed the condenser myself and could do it in an hour . Importantly, the remaining refrigerant gas R134a had been extracted by the dealer.

I got a mobile AC specialist round to my house, but had to wait a few weeks (these chaps are busy right now). Best £75 I spent. Took a couple of hours to put vacuum on the system, check vac held, inject new oil, regas and check.

It could be a condenser problem (most likely), a failed O ring or joint. I would really recommend getting someone who knows their trade to examine, diagnose and fix it. It will probably be less time and money in the end, and give you confidence in the system for the next 3 years.

Should say....never be tempted to disconnect the refrigerant pipes. As well as being bad for the atmosphere it can be dangerous if it contacts the skin/eyes causing a freeze burn. It can take skin to -27C in an instant and one poor soul lost sight from both eyes.

[Saleen836]

Mine is booked in for a leak test on Thursday at a local garage, still going with the condenser but I might be lucky and find it's a split pipe!