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Best Way To Locate Leak

91boz on Sun March 06, 2011 11:23 PM User is offline

Year: 1992
Make: Toyota
Model: Corolla
Engine Size: 1.6
Refrigerant Type: R134
Pressure Low: 0
Pressure High: 0

The AC on my Toyota went down all of a sudden. I now have 0 pressure on both high and low gauges. I pulled vacuum and it does not hold so I have a big leak somewhere in the system.
My question is how does one go about finding the leak? Should I put in a small amount of r134 with dye or use a detector? Maybe with a leak this big I can hear where the leak is coming from.
I did check for traces fresh oil on the fittings and in front of the condenser but did not see any.

TRB on Mon March 07, 2011 9:48 AM User is offlineView users profile

We prefer to use nitrogen but if you're not set up for that some R134a would work also. Big Blu works well for finding leaks. Very small leaks need a good electronic leak detector at times.

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NickD on Mon March 07, 2011 10:01 AM User is offline

Since this vehicle was R-12 and converted, could be compatibility problems when switching to R-134a. When was this conversion done and how?

91boz on Sat March 12, 2011 11:37 PM User is offline

91boz on Sat March 12, 2011 11:45 PM User is offline

It was converted to r134 about 7 years ago. System was flushed all o-rings replaced along with the dryer and refilled with hfc100 oil and r134. The oil had no dye so I have no idea where the leak is located. Since I have no access to nitrogen air can I just run the compressor and put in a little r134 with dye and try to locate the leak?

TRB on Sun March 13, 2011 1:01 PM User is offlineView users profile

I don't suggest using compressed air as it has moisture in it unless you have an elaborate filter systems like paint shops. Plain R134a and inject dye or use a electronic leak detector. Big Blu will work for the larger leaks also.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

mk378 on Sun March 13, 2011 4:18 PM User is offline

Do not run the compressor during a static leak test. Use small amounts of plain R134a and listen and or check with bubbles for where it leaks out.

After you fix the leak you should put dye in to make the next leak easier to find. Dye only works when the system is fully charged and running though.

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