AC Stop Leak?

[avvidclif]

Worth a try anyway, give you a better idea of what having it fixed might cost. Think in 4 number range.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Worth a try anyway, give you a better idea of what having it fixed might cost. Think in 4 number range.

It's always $1500. Adjusting for inflation, probably 1800. Not sure the truck is even worth that...26 years old.

 

[SQLGeek]

It's always $1500. Adjusting for inflation, probably 1800. Not sure the truck is even worth that...26 years old.

Heh that's my standard figure for having our truck fixed. Just had the evaporator done. It was...a little more.

 

[oldag]

 

[candcallen]

Attached balloons to the low port and high port.
View attachment 223770

Two hours and 15 minutes later...no change. So the Schrader valves are not leaking and I can't find red dye anywhere. If there is a leak, it's in the worst place possible....the evaporator. Oh hell, I haven't checked the condenser yet.

View attachment 223771 View attachment 223771

Should a used condoms. For the picture I mean.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I did use a rubber on the low side port, as illustrated in the photo.

 

[Dougw1515]

I did use a rubber on the low side port.

Well fork-it then!

 

[Bozz10mm]

Heh that's my standard figure for having our truck fixed. Just had the evaporator done. It was...a little more.

I usually try to guess what auto repairs are going to be before I take it to the shop. First I estimate what it should be with parts and labor. Then I double that. Comes out pretty close most of the time.

 

[Dougw1515]

I usually try to guess what auto repairs are going to be before I take it to the shop. First I estimate what it should be with parts and labor. Then I double that. Comes out pretty close most of the time.

Just add tax and you’re there!

 

[Tamlibtoim]

Can’t speak for automotive A/C because I dont work on them. What I can tell you from 20+ years of residential and commercial AC work, stop leak is not a seal conditioner. it reacts with the air & moisture which are normally not in a closed loop system such as your A/C. As it leaks out it crystallizes and plugs the hole. Temporary fix for the most part but might buy you some time.

 

[TexMex247]

Is it still cooling? Any system will show some aggressive or residual bubbling just after filling at the valves. R-134a boils at minus 15 F. The highside rubber coated ball valves are notorious for leaking.

Its true that a pressurized system never exposed to atmosphere does not need to be deep vac'd but it aids in refilling and extends the life or your accumulator/drier. Some other hard to find leaks also occur at compressor case halves and front seals.

Also worth looking over the condenser, they can get randomly victimized by road debris or age.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Is it still cooling?

Also worth looking over the condenser, they can get randomly victimized by road debris or age.

It's only been 10 days since I added the stop leak and recharged the system, but as of yesterday, it was still cooling like a champ. The condenser looks to be in good condition, free of bugs and debris once I hosed it off. All the main components of the AC system were replaced 7 years ago. Compressor, dryer, condenser, evaporator. Okay, not sure about the evaporator, have to check my records.

 

[oldag]

It's only been 10 days since I added the stop leak and recharged the system, but as of yesterday, it was still cooling like a champ. The condenser looks to be in good condition, free of bugs and debris once I hosed it off. All the main components of the AC system were replaced 7 years ago. Compressor, dryer, condenser, evaporator. Okay, not sure about the evaporator, have to check my records.

Good news.

 

[Axxe55]

Is it still cooling? Any system will show some aggressive or residual bubbling just after filling at the valves. R-134a boils at minus 15 F. The highside rubber coated ball valves are notorious for leaking.

Its true that a pressurized system never exposed to atmosphere does not need to be deep vac'd but it aids in refilling and extends the life or your accumulator/drier. Some other hard to find leaks also occur at compressor case halves and front seals.

Also worth looking over the condenser, they can get randomly victimized by road debris or age.

Many years ago, my Ford Ranger had a compressor shaft seal leak. Very difficult to find. I knew the system had a leak, and I could pull a vacuum on the system and let it sit all day long and never drop any vacuum. Even putting leak detector wouldn't reveal the leak. Recharge the system and the leak would happen when the compressor was turning! Ended up just replacing the compressor.

 

[TheDan]

Friend of mine took this picture. A google search shows it's pretty common at Toyota dealerships, too. The marketing says it's "designed to provide colder air, faster cooling, lower system load or power draw, and lower fuel consumption based on a more efficient A/C system " and "is not an oil or refrigerant"... So then it doesn't belong in your a/c

It might be a surfactant, which could help an old a/c system where the oils have polymerized, but in a new system a surfactant is just going to make the oil less effective. Amazing that dealerships push this garbage.

 

[Dougw1515]

Amazing that dealerships push this garbage.

I am absolutely stunned that a dealership is trying to turn a buck by any means available. Stunned I tell you!!!

 

[Bozz10mm]

I avoid dealers at all cost. The last time I was at a dealership for repairs, they wanted $1100 to replace a leaking oil pan gasket.
Took it to an independent mechanic and he sprayed some black stuff on the leak and it hasn't leaked since. I know that was 15 years ago at least. I think he charged me 2 bucks.

 

[Vaquero]

Awesome

 

[TheDan]

I avoid dealers at all cost.

yep

 

[avvidclif]

There is a website that will give you estimated repair costs for about any job. It's based on your area and fairly accurate from what I could tell. Free anyway.