Ot finding air conditioner system leaks ford focus

IA Roy · May 28, 2018

Any suggestions on how best to find freon
leak in system. Started 2 years ago.
Recharged then and did not stay charged
more than a couple days. My son borrowed it
last summer and recharged with same
results. Where to start?

RayP(MI) · May 28, 2018

They make Freon with a die in it. Put it in and look for the tell tale stains. Else this may be a project for a professional with a specialized leak detector.

old · May 28, 2018

As aid there is a 134 stuff with die and also some with sealer in it for problem like your having. But being a Ford LOL I would say good chance of the compressor seal being but

Bob · May 28, 2018

Look for traces of oil around the compressor clutch and at all fittings, joints, and hoses in the AC system.

Oil circulates with the refrigerant and leaves tell tale oil spots where there's a leak.

Never did figure out why guys want to add the *&%%&# HORRIBLE dye, when the oil that's already in the systems shows up a leak just like the die does.

The only way to work on an opened system that's had dye added to to wear disposable clothes and rubber gloves 'cause the *&%%&# stuff stains anything it touches.

If a hose ever blows, everything exposed to the MESS will get stained.

JD Seller · May 28, 2018

Either put some dye in the system or charge it with the 134 with the dye already in it. Then take a black light and look for the leak. With the dye it is usually easy to find a leak as big as yours. The harder ones are the ones that take weeks/months to leak out.

Super H Mike · May 28, 2018

That's a big fast leak, you may be able to find it with soapy water and a spray bottle. Pay attention to the service ports and the condenser for rock hits.

showcrop · May 28, 2018

Whatever you do don't put any stop leaking it, or you will likely be replacing the receiver-dryer.

farmer boy · May 28, 2018

If you have access to nitrogen gas, charge the system to 100-150 psi. Using soap and water, spray everywhere along the hoses and condenser, compressor, etc. It?s likely an oring.

chadsd · May 28, 2018

I have replaced evaporator in two different focus cars at work. 09 and i think a 10, not sure what year yours is. Check the evaporator drain tube for signs of oil and dye, sometimes you can even get a smell from the vents. Could be something obvious but if you see no signs of oil anywhere else, that is the next place to look.

pete 23 · May 28, 2018

Never have much luck with dye. First time I ever used it I thought this was going to be the cat's meow. Well, I put it in a tractor that was outside. Ran the system for about half an hour so it would be all through the system. Then I ran it into a dark shed and started looking for traces of the dye.

I found many, many traces of the dye. Every thing I had touched on that tractor had my finger prints on it. Did not find a leak though. Crazy part was, the leak was the plug on compressor back side and never found it until I removed the compressor to install a replacement that customer had talked recent repair shop into giving him. Not one of my finest trouble shooting jobs.

da.bees · May 29, 2018

Stay away from dye and stop leak,they will only cause more problems. You don't need much pressure to find a leak that big. In fact,high pressure through a large leak can blow soap off without making bubbles. Use refrigerant or nitrogen to put 50 pounds or so pressure in system then go over everything you can reach with bubbles or soapy water. Do not use compressed air,you will never get all the moisture out later. If that doesn't find it,borrow a sniffer from a auto parts store. Again,the system doesn't need much refrigerant in it while tracking large leaks. Check areas you couldn't reach with bubbles.You don't need to have access to evaporator,just find a way to get sniffer inside evaporator case and there will be plenty refrigerant concentrated inside case to set sniffer off. If possible, have an expert change drier,evacuate and recharge. You can borrow vacuum pump at auto supply if you want.

Hobo,NC · May 29, 2018

Take it to a shop equipped to find the leak its not that expensive. As you have read dye in the wrong hands makes a mess, add to much dye and it will mess up the system. Sealer is even worst I have had to replace complete systems that were contaminated with sealer. I am right sure dye was added at the factory on a Ford you need a ultraviolet light (a good one not a cheap one) along with a special pair of glass's to detect dye (fluorescent leak detection glasses).

Google "Refrigerant Leak Detector TEK-Mate by INFICON" it will find it I guarantee... Dye is a hit and miss deal it misses most of the time...

I would wager its the compressor shaft seal and double up you are not going to find the leak with dye... I would triple the wager AC stop leak is not gonna fix it... I would quadruple the wager if you told a shop that knows what they are doing you added sealer they would not touch it with there AC machine with a 10 ft pole.

rlp in Co. · May 29, 2018

I heard one time that a led lite would detect the dye but maybe it was a infrared led. Maybe your TV flipper would work, ha

Ot finding air conditioner system leaks ford focus

IA Roy

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RayP(MI)

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old

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Bob

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JD Seller

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Super H Mike

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showcrop

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farmer boy

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chadsd

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pete 23

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da.bees

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Hobo,NC

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rlp in Co.

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