A/C freon leak

[2001slvrstntj]

If evaporator coil is the leak would it leak all the time or just when a/c is on? Have a leak and shop struggling to find but suspects evaporator coil. Charged with die and running a week to try to find.

Thanks
Eric

 

[CharlesHS]

As long as there is pressure in the system IF the leak is in the evaporator coil; the leak will continue.
Putting dye in the system only works IF the leak is visible with the UV light.
When the system is pressurized with refrigerant a halide sniffer can be used around the mix box to detect the refrigerant leak; the only other way is to disassemble the mix box and examine the coil.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

Ok, that is a big help....thanks!

 

[Hotrodbud]

I just went thru this leak chasing procedure. I charged the system with dye and could not find any sign of a leak. The system would be empty in about 5 days. Tried it again, with same results. Inspected the system at night with black light, no leaks found. I was thinking the leak was probably the evaporator also. I recharged the system and borrowed a sniffer from work. I removed the blower motor and fan assembly, and sniffed around in there, no luck. Back up front, I quickly sniffed out the leak at the very top corner of condenser on the passenger side. Even with the condenser removed, there was no sign of the dye. I replaced the condenser. Its been about 3 weeks, and I've still got cold air!

 

[2001slvrstntj]

I just went thru this leak chasing procedure. I charged the system with dye and could not find any sign of a leak. The system would be empty in about 5 days. Tried it again, with same results. Inspected the system at night with black light, no leaks found. I was thinking the leak was probably the evaporator also. I recharged the system and borrowed a sniffer from work. I removed the blower motor and fan assembly, and sniffed around in there, no luck. Back up front, I quickly sniffed out the leak at the very top corner of condenser on the passenger side. Even with the condenser removed, there was no sign of the dye. I replaced the condenser. Its been about 3 weeks, and I've still got cold air!

Nice, thanks for the info.

 

[TJScott]

That sounds familiar. My condenser was leaking in the upper corner of the passenger side toward the front of the Jeep. It had rubbed through against something like a bolt head. My mechanic replaced it and fixed it so it wouldn’t rub. It took forever to find it, like 4 refills with dye. It has been solid since.

 

[2001slvrstntj]

That sounds familiar. My condenser was leaking in the upper corner of the passenger side toward the front of the Jeep. It had rubbed through against something like a bolt head. My mechanic replaced it and fixed it so it wouldn’t rub. It took forever to find it, like 4 refills with dye. It has been solid since.

Thanks for the input, thinking about getting a sniffer and check myself. Don't want to swap the evaporator if not needed.

 

[06TJ35's]

Smoke machine can do the job to.

 

[Chapman4266]

you can pressurize with nitrogen and use soapy water in a squirter bottle too

 

[2001slvrstntj]

Thanks for all the input/options, much appreciated.