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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!columbia!cucca!jeff
From: jeff@cucca.UUCP (Jeff Damens)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: air conditioning advice
Message-ID: <153@cucca.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 14:45:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: cucca.153
Posted: Wed Oct 16 14:45:06 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Oct-85 21:17:40 EDT
References: <1735@akgua.UUCP>
Reply-To: jeff@cucca.UUCP (Jeff Damens)
Organization: Columbia University Center for Computing Activities
Lines: 37

In article <1735@akgua.UUCP> mlg@akgua.UUCP (M.L. Graham [Mike]) writes:
>
>I have a slow leak in  my a/c system (Ford, factory
>instalation).  It looses about 1 can of freon every two
>to three weeks, and I can't locate the leak.  I've
>cleaned all the fittings and connections and looked for
>signs of oil -nothing. The evaporator doesn't freeze up, 
> even under continuous (8 hour) use, which makes me
>think that the evaporator may be ok. 
>
>Now I have to admitt, I have gotten my money's worth out
>of it. It's got 290,000 miles on it, and the a/c system
>has not been touched, except to add freon every now and
>then the last couple of years.  Any good ways to find a
>leak like this?  Should I replace the compressor, assuming
>that it is the most likely source?  I really hate to replace
>anything, regardless of age, if I'm not sure that it's
>defective (that's what dealers do, in't it?).
>
>Any advice will be appreciated. 
>
>
>Mike Graham @AT&T Technologies 
>Atlanta, Georgia
>{ihnp4}akgua!mlg

Don't be too quick to replace the compressor... it could just
as well be a high pressure hose (which will be a lot cheaper).

To find the leak, you can buy a can of freon which has a red dye in it.
You add it to the system just like you would an ordinary can. You should
then be able to see from where you're losing refrigerant.

If you replace a hose yourself, it's a good idea to have the system
evacuated to get all the moisture out of it before you charge it.

						Jeff Damens