Does the dye they use checking AC leaks stink?
06-14-2006, 01:21 PM
#1
Does the dye they use checking AC leaks stink?
Chasing an anemic AC in my 993 and they put some dye into the system. Now when I first turn on the AC or the fresh air fan or turn off the recirculating air button I get a smell from the vents, kind of an exhaust smell, but not really exhaust. I once smelled the same thing from an older Audi I was considering buying, it had AC problems and there was dye in that system as well, only it smelled much stronger I could barely stand to have the fan on. I didn't buy that car
Anyone had expeirnce with this? Could it be leaking somewhere where the smell could contaminate the airflow? And if the system is evacuated will the smell go away?
Anyone had expeirnce with this? Could it be leaking somewhere where the smell could contaminate the airflow? And if the system is evacuated will the smell go away?
06-14-2006, 01:53 PM
#2
Addict
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If your A/C system will not hold a charge and it's because of an evaporator leak, then the answer to your question is that most likely you are smelling the leaking oil, it is quite nasty smelling.
Evacuating the system will not affect the odor.
Evacuating the system will not affect the odor.
06-14-2006, 02:24 PM
#3
Ron, thank you for the reply. My system appears to be holding pressure it does cool but not very well. And I think the evaprator is freezing because the bulkhead in the trunk was cold to the touch and had condensation on it even after the car sat for 36 hours.
06-14-2006, 02:26 PM
#4
Pro
I had an Alfa that used to smell of amonia. It smelt like someone had pee'd in the car. There is an additive that gets rid of the bacteria in air con systems that eventually got rid of the smell.
Is this the smell you get?
Is this the smell you get?
06-14-2006, 06:40 PM
#6
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Attached is photo of an evaporator I removed from a 124 MB. I could not find the leak with either sniffer or with dye. It also held a vacuum overnight.
You can barely see the dye at the bottom of evap. It felt oily too and you could smell the oil on the bottom.
You can barely see the dye at the bottom of evap. It felt oily too and you could smell the oil on the bottom.
Last edited by Ron; 12-08-2014 at 09:53 AM.
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06-14-2006, 06:43 PM
#8
I'm hoping it's not the evaporater ... could it be the expansion valve? Would that explain the icing (if it is icing. I can't figure why it would still feel cold 36 hours later).
