AC Leak?
- Thread starter bucfl
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Did you wind up using butyl tape, or no?
- Thread starter
- #103
Hey guys, yes still nice and cold. 
Ill know for sure next Week. It usually took two weeks to run out of refrigerant.
I looked for Butyl tape everywhere and could not find it. I used some AC tape from NAPA that they recommended. I think it was cork tape[?]. It actually worked out great! I do have a parts list and when get time ill put a pic thread together with parts used. Ill try to get it done ASAP for you all.
Ill know for sure next Week. It usually took two weeks to run out of refrigerant.
I looked for Butyl tape everywhere and could not find it. I used some AC tape from NAPA that they recommended. I think it was cork tape[?]. It actually worked out great! I do have a parts list and when get time ill put a pic thread together with parts used. Ill try to get it done ASAP for you all.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Hey guys, yes still nice and cold.
Ill know for sure next Week. It usually took two weeks to run out of refrigerant.
I looked for Butyl tape everywhere and could not find it. I used some AC tape from NAPA that they recommended. I think it was cork tape[?]. It actually worked out great! I do have a parts list and when get time ill put a pic thread together with parts used. Ill try to get it done ASAP for you all.
I assume the tape is really just to insulate the valve from temp swings, perhaps also to "seal" the area of the grommet and firewall. Did you also replace your dessicant in the receiver/dryer?
- Thread starter
- #105
Yeah, I think it’s just for that purpose. I did replace the desiccant. The part number I used was aftermarket and slightly wider than OEM. I had to turn it to get to move all the way in. It was just a tad snug but no real problem.
I used pag oil on all o rings too. The kits did not come with o rings for the L and H side tubes that connect to exp valve so i had to bug an o ring kit $7.
I used pag oil on all o rings too. The kits did not come with o rings for the L and H side tubes that connect to exp valve so i had to bug an o ring kit $7.
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Ahhhh, crap. Yep. I forgot those. Can you link the part number here to the H and L lines in front of the firewall?
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Hey guys, yes still nice and cold.
Ill know for sure next Week. It usually took two weeks to run out of refrigerant.
I looked for Butyl tape everywhere and could not find it. I used some AC tape from NAPA that they recommended. I think it was cork tape[?]. It actually worked out great! I do have a parts list and when get time ill put a pic thread together with parts used. Ill try to get it done ASAP for you all.
yayyyyy its fixed
- Thread starter
- #111
I may still have a leak....
High pressure before AC on and Low pressure after AC on. It’s still blowing cold but it might still enough refrigerant to blow cold. During the original leak the refrigerant lasted two weeks before I had to refill. I’ll check again at end of week or report if it runs out prior.
High pressure before AC on and Low pressure after AC on. It’s still blowing cold but it might still enough refrigerant to blow cold. During the original leak the refrigerant lasted two weeks before I had to refill. I’ll check again at end of week or report if it runs out prior.
What are those two pictures showing? 1st is actually on at low port? Second is high side after the system has rested overnight? Both sides should equalize so you can take that resting state reading from either side. What's the temperature outside? That will cause flutuations in your readings.Also, are you using the same gauge set? I'm not so sure about the accuracy of the readings on these things but I image they are somewhat repeatable. If you are using two different sets that could be your cause. Do you park this in a garage?
- Thread starter
- #113
What are those two pictures showing?
First is AC blowing high.
1st is actually on at low port?
Yes.
Second is high side after the system has rested overnight?
This is showing just LOA side. Im using a guage from one of those refil kits. It may be inaccurate.
Both sides should equalize so you can take that resting state reading from either side. What's the temperature outside?
Temp was pretty high today. 96 leaving work, 91 at home when i took the reading.
That will cause flutuations in your readings.Also, are you using the same gauge set?
No. Im using a guage from one of those refil kits. It may be inaccurate.
I'm not so sure about the accuracy of the readings on these things but I image they are somewhat repeatable. If you are using two different sets that could be your cause. Do you park this in a garage?
No, its parked outside.
Ill take another reading in a few days and see where we are.
First is AC blowing high.
1st is actually on at low port?
Yes.
Second is high side after the system has rested overnight?
This is showing just LOA side. Im using a guage from one of those refil kits. It may be inaccurate.
Both sides should equalize so you can take that resting state reading from either side. What's the temperature outside?
Temp was pretty high today. 96 leaving work, 91 at home when i took the reading.
That will cause flutuations in your readings.Also, are you using the same gauge set?
No. Im using a guage from one of those refil kits. It may be inaccurate.
I'm not so sure about the accuracy of the readings on these things but I image they are somewhat repeatable. If you are using two different sets that could be your cause. Do you park this in a garage?
No, its parked outside.
Ill take another reading in a few days and see where we are.
you need to take two measurements with the same gauge in close to the same ambient temp before the engine heats up. Heat from the engine will make the numbers higher and really hard to do a controlled test with variable engine temps. Now if you take a resting reading at say 90 psi and the ambient temp is 80 deg outside, then another reading 2 weeks later and its 85 psi and its 90 outside, then i would say yeah, you have a leak. Its really hard to compare these numbers after the fact while the engine is running/hot and without controlling the ambient air temp. Thats why you draw the vacuum down and hold it for a couple hours to give you that piece of mind, which I thought you right? Unless you have new leak, I would say you are good.
- Thread starter
- #117
Here’s the readings this morning with engine cold. I can’t tell what’s going because it is blowing cold sill but it takes a little bit for it to cool. I’m leaving work and it’s 95. I’ll check readings when I get home and report back. I don’t have the guage from auto zone so not sure if this is reading correctly.
I’ll also add that I can hear what appears to be the refrigerant from the expansion valve going into evaporate. Kinda like a hisssss and then it stops and ac is cool. It seems to do this in cycles like compressor cycling then refrigerant goes into evap (?).
And I did pull vacuum for like two hours and guage did not move.
First pic is engine off and cold.
Second is with front and rear AC on.
Third is just front AC.
I’ll also add that I can hear what appears to be the refrigerant from the expansion valve going into evaporate. Kinda like a hisssss and then it stops and ac is cool. It seems to do this in cycles like compressor cycling then refrigerant goes into evap (?).
And I did pull vacuum for like two hours and guage did not move.
First pic is engine off and cold.
Second is with front and rear AC on.
Third is just front AC.
Last edited:
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Schrader valve could be leaking. The local garage that evac'd my gas said that they replaced the low side schrader at no additional charge..it was leaking slowly. It seemed fine TO THE UNTRAINED eye. The test at the shop with with the evac and fill was only 40.00. If you're not sure, take it in and then talk to the tech after for advice and "next time" to you'll know for sure.
