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Old 04-27-2017, 06:10 PM   #1
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Diagnosing the AC leak?

I have an 2002 Discovery on the Freightliner chassis that has an AC leak. Last year I added two cans of 134a about three months before I used it on a trip. The AC worked fine for two days then just blew warm air again. I'd like to fix the leak this time instead of just adding Freon, but don't know where to start. Any ideas would be appreciated (except for taking it to a shop).
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:31 PM   #2
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NEW A/C System Leak Detection Dye Kit UV Leak Detection Kit Robinair 16235 | eBay

You can purchase a system like the link above inject it with a can of 134a to achieve the operating pressure. The dye will be released at the leak, and using the UV light and glasses you will be able to see the leak. The UV light will make the dye glow and will only be able to see with glasses
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Old 04-27-2017, 07:29 PM   #3
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Thanks, that looks like a good way to proceed. Any thoughts on the fact the system held freon for three months and only lost the charge when running. I was wondering if that might indicate a compressor seal?
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Old 04-27-2017, 07:44 PM   #4
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Most everywhere has an air conditioning shop for autos. Have one of their techs look at it. The A/C in your MH is for the most part the same that is in a car. Let them do the test for leaks.
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:02 PM   #5
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Don't forget there are lines that run the length of your MH too
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Old 04-29-2017, 05:06 AM   #6
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Had my dash AC repaired this week. Freon was low a bit but good and no leaks anywhere. They told me if I'd have a leak there would be like a oily section at the joints and dust would collect on the oily section. There is some oil in the AC system. The place I went said they see often see that the air dryer rust inside, the filter absorbes the oil and pebbles then the pebles goes through the foam part and the pebbles goes to the reducing valve and blocks the flow of freon as we don't use the AC as ofter as we do in cars. They took my dryer out and cut it in half. Half the pebbles inside where gone and rust gallor and as they said above this was my case. They had to flush system from back to from, install new reducing valve and new dryer. tested system then put it on vacuum for half hour and recharge system. All is good now and working as it should. They told me that the dryer should be changed every 3 to 4 years to help reducing the chance of this happening again.
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Old 06-06-2017, 10:17 AM   #7
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try soap bubbles,,mix some dishwashing soap in a spray bottle, spray around any connections, that's where the leak should be. If your refrig goes out in a day or two, its a pretty sizable leak in refrigeration standards.
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Old 06-06-2017, 10:29 AM   #8
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Rodger, Sounds like you found a good shop to repair your A/C. Ours didn't work when we bought the MH, dealer immediately brought in an A/C repair guy who replaced a hose fitting and recharged. Worked when we picked up our new to us MH. Didn't need the A/C for the rest of the trip. Next time we turned on the A/C, no cool. This was on Vancouver Island, and yes, temps were in the 90's!
A very competent shop took us in, found no leaks, but recharged the system-about $400 US. Fast forward to this spring, not cooling so we took the MH to our local CAT dealer. He showed us the faulty crimp our original dealer made, replaced with new fitting, A/C compressor too had a small leak. Replaced compressor, recharge. About $2k this time, with our extended warranty paying about half (they didn't like the shop's labor rate). Blowing cold now. Next time in the shop I'll ask about the air dryer.
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Old 06-06-2017, 11:04 PM   #9
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Guess I have been VERY lucky. 07 Discovery still blowing cold. I almost fell out of the drivers seat when the DW asked me to cut back on the AC! That das air will put a frostline on my forehead!
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