Paul M

A couple more. This is the same area with the evaporator box removed. The box is upside down in this photo.

Second is a leaky and non-leaky core...

IXLR8

Understandable. I'm assuming this is done to a totally empty system; one that has totally leaked or one that has been evacuated.

Would it be safe to assume that most leaks occur during running of the system since the high side can be over 200 psi, whereas during a static state, you might be sitting at 80 psi (temperature dependent).

BobbyT

What a great group, and what great ideas! My sniffer is due to arrive today, so I plan to get the system up to operating temperature/pressures, and then do a sniff test. Depending on what I find, I'll follow with a search with UV light for dye traces. Finally, I may check the entire system, one section at a time, with soapy water.

I'm also thinking of borrowing a boroscope and taking a look at the evaporator from the pollen filter housing, maybe from the recirc door as well.

Your thoughts and comments, please.

Kika

BobbyT, what part of CA are you in? I need to diagnose my AC system also.

BobbyT

Hi Kika,

I'm not too far away, maybe an hour's drive, in Redlands.

Kika

Ok, thanks, something to consider. I am taking it to get charged later this week, the we are going to look for dye traces. If it seems like we need a sniffer, I'll get in touch with you.

Mechanic seems confident leaks will be apparent.

BobbyT

Hi Kika,

Sniffers are very inexpensive now. I got this one from Amazon:

911PERVY

Ooops! Too used to a scuba tank fill! DO NOT PUT 200bar in your AC system!

200 psi will work sooo much better

Kika

Cool, thanks, that is cheaper than a tank of gas, not that that I wouldn't enjoy a visit with another RLer, but...
I'll see how it goes, my mechanic may even have one, I am not sure.

This thread has been very timely.

djantlive

Bingo! This is the best way!

BobbyT

My sniffer arrived yesterday, so today was the big search for my AC leak.

The first thing I did was squirt a little water into the service valve ports to check them for bubbles. (And yes, I did blow the water out afterward.)

Next, following one of the best tips in this thread, I removed the left side pollen filter to inspect the evaporator. This provides a pretty good view, and from what I could see, my evaporator looks clean and new, with no signs of leaks or dirt sticking to oily residue. No dye hits with the UV light. There was a little damp dirt in the floor of the airbox, but no oil apparent in it.

Then I sniffed out the evaporator and expansion valve, no leaks found.

I removed the LF fender liner and rocker panel cover, sniffed out the condenser, receiver/drier and all the lines, and checked for dye stains with the UV light.

Sniffed out and checked for dye stains on all the engine compartment lines and compressor.

With the system warmed up, ambient temperature 87F, the data is:

Idling low pressure 30 psi high pressure 220 psi vent temperature 47F

2000 RPM low pressure 15 psi high pressure 270 psi vent temperature 47F

So far, not a sign anywhere of any leaks. I’ll keep a close eye on the pressures and cooling.

Any further ideas on how to solve this mystery will be appreciated.

Here is a picture of the evaporator. I may get a boroscope tomorrow for another look, in which case I’ll take pictures with another camera to see if I can do better.

JB 911

did you sniff the condenser too?

BobbyT

Yes, condenser too.

911PERVY

200 psi..............

NC TRACKRAT

There's a low side port with a grey cap underneath the service ports. It has a Schrader valve screwed into it. You might want to sniff there. If it's leaking, you could try tightening it carefully with a the tips of a small pair of needle-nosed pliers.