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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!nsc!amdahl!ems
From: ems@amdahl.UUCP (ems)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: air conditioning advice
Message-ID: <2124@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Oct-85 12:53:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: amdahl.2124
Posted: Fri Oct 18 12:53:37 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 21-Oct-85 03:42:33 EDT
References: <1735@akgua.UUCP> <132@inuxa.UUCP>
Organization: Circle C Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, Ca
Lines: 41

> > 
> > 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.
> > ....                            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?).
> > 
> 
> Anyway, to answer the questions, all of our local auto stores carry, for about
> $3.50, a can that contains a die (red) which will help you find your leak.
> It's standard practice in air conditioning work to use this stuff.s
...
> Also available for about $3.50 a can is a stop-leak formulation which
> I have never used but may have try on my daughter's car.  Any one
> have any experience with this stuff?
> 
I would not take the shotgun approach until I had proven that I
could not identify the leak source.  While the red dye is good
for finding fast leaks, it often fails to find slow leaks of
the type described.  I have no experience with the stop leak goop,
but that is not finding and fixing the problem; just putting a
kludge over it.  Esthetically unpleasing.

What would I do?  Go to an auto shop for an 'estimate'.  Let them
use there hi tech freon sniffer (detects *very small* leaks by
listening for the sound it makes!)  Then thinking about the repair
needed.  If minor, maybe let them do it.  If major (like compressor)
do it myself.
-- 

E. Michael Smith  ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems

'If you can dream it, you can do it'  Walt Disney

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