THSCC Forums

I need to find the leak in the Neon's AC. A previous shop put some dye in and couldn't find it when it leaked out so they assumed it leaked from the evaporator (deep in the dashboard). I'd like a 2nd opinion before I go tearing my dashboard out. Does anyone have recommendations?

Thanks!

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Carl, that *could* be a load of crap! We put dye in mine (though Randy knew where the leak would be) and couldn't find it. There is an o-ring behind the pulley on the compressor (special toold needed) that was leaking. We couldn't see the dye until the pulley was removed.

From what I hear most shops don't want to fuss with removing and replacing that $5 o-ring so they can sell you a new compressor.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Having a halide leak detector may be of help in finding the leak. If it is the evaporator leaking, you can run the A/C and probe the vents to confirm the leak is the evaporator.

--Ashraf

Sounds like a good idea. Do you have any recommendations for a good AC shop that could perform such a test?

RTP or South Durham area preferably.

Thanks!

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

I can't help you with that as I do all of my own work (I'm cheap and stubborn, I should have learned to pay someone by now but I'd rather buy tools, flail and curse at inanimate objects - sometimes I even find it entertaining).

I suppose you could call and ask potential shops if they have that tool to make the diagnosis. The UV dye is cheaper/easier and mostly more "telling" than the halide detector for engine-bay stuff because you generally have to run the engine to test A/C and the air movement in there will ruin the results as detected by the halide detector. OTOH, inside the vehicle, air blasted across the evaporator leaking halides into the detector would be just what you want to look for...

You can buy a halide detector for fairly cheap ($50-60?) on e-bay/online/etc.

Also, try searching on this forum for "R-12"
http://www.thsccforums.com/viewtopic.ph ... hlight=r12

Regards,
--Ashraf