JHZR2
Staff member
Trying to sort out a car that I can’t tell if it has a badly leaking evaporator or a bad joint someplace.
I pulled a hard vacuum but it wouldn’t hold.
I tried some es-12a refrigerant. Normal process should be bone dry nitrogen laced with r-22 and to use a sniffer. I don’t have that gas mix and am not interested in procuring it. I installed the es-12a (8oz) and it got to a low pressure that kicked the compressor on, then after a short time the pressure was gone. When running a high side leak occurred at the coupler. I can’t tell if it was the actual 134a female coupler not being on tight, or something else. I don’t want to try yet with another can of es-12a.
When I sniffed with a combustible gas detector I got a good result at the high side fitting, a minor result at a threaded joint on the low pressure hose, and a result at the evaporator box. I have no reason to think the evaporator is leak free, but I don’t have reason to believe it is all in the evaporator. No combustible gas or smell in the cabin, which I would assume would be present if the evaporator was leaking.
Anyway, I’m not concerned about moisture in the system, so I’d like to diagnose with 90psi shop air (static system, will NOT turn on ac compressor) to scout for leaks especially at the high side coupler.
I think I need an NPT to 1/2” acme thread but I’m not sure. Can anyone recommend what I need to couple my gauges to an air compressor line? I could cut a refrigerant line and install a barb fitting, but I figure there must be a better way.
Thanks!
I pulled a hard vacuum but it wouldn’t hold.
I tried some es-12a refrigerant. Normal process should be bone dry nitrogen laced with r-22 and to use a sniffer. I don’t have that gas mix and am not interested in procuring it. I installed the es-12a (8oz) and it got to a low pressure that kicked the compressor on, then after a short time the pressure was gone. When running a high side leak occurred at the coupler. I can’t tell if it was the actual 134a female coupler not being on tight, or something else. I don’t want to try yet with another can of es-12a.
When I sniffed with a combustible gas detector I got a good result at the high side fitting, a minor result at a threaded joint on the low pressure hose, and a result at the evaporator box. I have no reason to think the evaporator is leak free, but I don’t have reason to believe it is all in the evaporator. No combustible gas or smell in the cabin, which I would assume would be present if the evaporator was leaking.
Anyway, I’m not concerned about moisture in the system, so I’d like to diagnose with 90psi shop air (static system, will NOT turn on ac compressor) to scout for leaks especially at the high side coupler.
I think I need an NPT to 1/2” acme thread but I’m not sure. Can anyone recommend what I need to couple my gauges to an air compressor line? I could cut a refrigerant line and install a barb fitting, but I figure there must be a better way.
Thanks!