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R-134a with leak stop, pros and cons

hey08 on Fri June 22, 2012 8:55 PM User is offline

Year: 03
Make: Dodge
Model: Caravan
Ambient Temp: 90
Pressure Low: 33
Pressure High: 174
Country of Origin: United States

I am now completely confused with what I thought I knew. I converted one car over to R-134a, and replaced the compressor and accumulator on another. Used 2 can of this in each vehicle. Both still blowing cold air to this day. Just didn't like the idea of that being in my system now that I read Seals leaks on the back of it. Cause I have heard it can be bad. When introduced to moisture and ruin an a/c system.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Quest-11-oz-of-R134a-and-2-oz-of-Sub-Zero-synthetic-A-C-booster/_/N-261q?itemIdentifier=832120_0_0_

Almost a year later on one of my other vehicles. It quit blowing cold air, is just cool, not cold. Now having some left over cans of this stuff I was reading everything around the can. On the website there is nothing about leak stop or anything. Now on the back of the can it says in some small font Extends compressor life, Seals leaks. Now reading that it seals leaks. I would assume there is some sort of leak stopper in it. Why doesn't it advertise it anywhere else on the can? Except in small font on the back Seals Leaks. What do you think of the R-134a in the link above? Would you use it? or is there really a Leak stopper in it?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Quest-12-oz-R134a-for-factory-installed-R134a-or-R12-systems-that-have-been-converted-to-R134a/_/N-261q?itemIdentifier=3275&_requestid=570734

I feel I should have used something more like whats in the link above. I'm starting to think that the SUBZERO is just a gimmick. Any thoughts?

TRB on Fri June 22, 2012 8:59 PM User is offlineView users profile

Nothing should go in a system except, oil, dye and refrigerant.

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Cussboy on Sun June 24, 2012 8:03 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: TRB
Nothing should go in a system except, oil, dye and refrigerant.

I agree with TRB. But only if you want the system to work.

buickwagon on Sun June 24, 2012 9:04 PM User is offline

From what I have been able to determine on the subject, there are leak sealers and then there are leak sealers. MOST of those kits that have a can of "leak sealer" included have nothing more than some oil with a seal swell additive which is fairly innocuous -- not really any worse than oil with a dye added for leak detection.

However, the ones you need to fear are those that tout themselves as "Professional" or "Heavy Duty" leak sealer and claim to seal leaky metal parts, like evaporator cores. They are USUALLY sold separately at a rather inflated price and contain a moisture-activated compound that sets hard like an epoxy.

Why not just call the manufacturer and ask what's in there?

As for the "sub zero", the manufacturer claims it helps the oil coat the metal parts and therefore increase efficiency. It's possible that is the basis of the claim for sealing leaks -- the viscous oil will simply prevent or slow refrigerant from escaping through microscopic pores, particularly in R12 conversions were barrier hose was not retrofitted.

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I've saved hundreds on service by spending thousands on tools.

Cussboy on Sun June 24, 2012 9:11 PM User is offline

Be wary of claims. Right now there's a TV add making miraculous claims for their fix-it-in-a-can AC fix-all. I wonder if those same folks who buy that would be interested in buying the Brooklyn Bridge from me....

buickwagon on Mon June 25, 2012 12:32 AM User is offline

Far too expensive. Sell 'em a "Q-bracelet". :lol:

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I've saved hundreds on service by spending thousands on tools.

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