Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Information on some common auto air conditioning topics.
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seagiant
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Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by seagiant »

Hi,
I see guys on U-Tube, using shop air and a soap bottle to find leaks in Auto AC Units.

Thoughts?
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Tim
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by Tim »

Nitrogen is a better gas for leak testing. Shop air unless used with a paint regulator will induce moisture to the system.
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seagiant
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by seagiant »

Hi,
Thanks, but won't the pump down get rid of air anyway?

That seems to be the thinking on it, but I do understand Nitrogen is a better mouse trap!
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Tim
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by Tim »

Air yes, moisture depends!!
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seagiant
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by seagiant »

Hi,
Thanks!
swampy 6x6
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by swampy 6x6 »

HHi

Shop air contains alot ,,a huge amount of moisture. Shop air condensate trap is only very basic a moisture trap such as used for spray painting worth 100-1000 dollars traps moisture. Besides moisture will be trapped in refrigeration system easily as a result just donot introduce potential problems to begin with .

Always taught only use nitrogen . Besides nitrogen can go 200psi which is where u want to test . Shopair will only go 90psi
chrstopher007
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by chrstopher007 »

seagiant wrote: Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:53 pm Hi,
I see guys on U-Tube, using shop air and a soap bottle to find leaks in Auto AC Units.

Thoughts?
Shop air unless used with a paint regulator will induce moisture to the system.
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Cusser
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Re: Using Shop Air To Leak Test?

Post by Cusser »

Desiccant won't give up its trapped moisture to vacuum during evacuation.

Use nitrogen or a can of R134a for leak detection by bubbles, electronic sniffer, or UV dye.

seagiant wrote: Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:53 pm Hi, I see guys on U-Tube, using shop air and a soap bottle to find leaks in Auto AC Units.
Yeah, and I see guys on YouTube riding bicycles off building roofs, etc. And a guy using lacquer thinner to clean out a catalytic converter; my brother-in-law saw that and set his car on fire. Which set the garage on fire. Which set the house on fire. Total loss.
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