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AC Charging question

8

88troopercoupe

New CEG'er
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
20
Alright, bought a 99 SVT in April. AC did not work when I bought it. Took it to the local Firestone. They did their thing, pulled a vac, found no leaks, added refrigerant, and I have had ever AC since....until about two weeks ago. AC started blowing less and less cold, compressor is now short-cycling. Obvious signs of low refrigerant....again.

Question: I apparently have a pretty slow leak, so, how do they find a slow leak? They already used the flourescent dye at Firestone the first time around and found no leaks. It made it about 6 weeks before I noticed a difference. Should I just have it charged again?

Financially, it makes more sense to spend a few bucks every 6 weeks on refrigerant than it does to drop a boatload of $$$ on a leak that I may not even be able to locate. Any advice?
 
yeah, find and fix the leak .... in the long run that will be better all around ...

common place for a leak is the accumulator as it rusts out. it is covered with foam so that may hide the leak.
 
88troopercoupe said:
...Question: I apparently have a pretty slow leak, so, how do they find a slow leak? They already used the flourescent dye at Firestone the first time around and found no leaks. It made it about 6 weeks before I noticed a difference. Should I just have it charged again?

Financially, it makes more sense to spend a few bucks every 6 weeks on refrigerant than it does to drop a boatload of $$$ on a leak that I may not even be able to locate. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Interdynamics sells a kit for $39 which include a can of refrigerant with dye (and sealant), a can of refrigerant with sealant, gauge and UV light pen. Pick it up from Autozone or Advance Auto. That's what I did 10 weeks ago. It is still blowing cold air now.
 
BrApple said:
yeah, find and fix the leak .... in the long run that will be better all around ...

common place for a leak is the accumulator as it rusts out. it is covered with foam so that may hide the leak.
Click to expand...

Accumulator is the cannister with the low pressure switch, next to the battery, right?
 
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