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Thread: A/C Evaporator Leak

  1. #1
    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default A/C Evaporator Leak

    Hi,

    A while back my brother got his UCF10 Celsior regassed, They pressure tested it before at 250 PSI and it held the charge. The gas also had a dye which they could detect if there was any leaks, there was no leaks. After that he got it regassed.

    After about 3 weeks he has noticed that the air conditioning is not as cool as it was before. So I'm wondering where could the leak be. We are thinking it's the tubes that connect to the evaporator inside, but is there a chance that the evaporator could be cracked inside? Has this ever happened or is it possible, causing the gas to leak from INSIDE the evaporator?

    Thanks.

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    Forum Member 1st year Apprentice raffy73's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Hi.
    I've come across a few leaking evaporators before, usually they have a small crack somewhere in the core which makes it difficult to find because its in the heater box and the leak doesn't show straight away after you re-gas with dye but sometimes you get an AC gas smell in the cabin after a few days.

    Another tell tale sign of a leak is a patch of oily
    (oil is from AC system) dirt/dust in one section of the system (eg. patch of oily dirt in one section of a AC condenser or pipe flange connection with an o-ring) but you can't use this method since you can't see the evaporator because its hidden in the heater box.

    If it was re-gassed 3 weeks ago with dye, your AC specialist should be able to find it this time using the UV light and electronic AC leak detector (probe/device that beeps when ac gas is detected). The whole system should be checked again...AC fittings, pipes, compressor, AC/heater box and its drain tubes etc.

  3. #3
    Junior Member Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    With mine the evaporator cracked deep within the core. Until you remove it from the car, dye will not show up.

    New evaporator was around $400 trade price.

  4. #4
    Junior Member Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    The leak could be anywhere,if they cant find it externally its almost a sure bet that it will be the evap.If its a bad leak you may even be able to pic it up by eye yourself as it will be green in that area.

    Take it back to the a/c guys and get them to run the uv light over it should be easy to pic.At this stage it shouldnt(by law) be regassed until the problem is found and rectified.

  5. #5
    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Will the dye remain there for a long time even after the gas has flowed out and the A/C has stopped working?

    Thanks.

    And yes we have been smelling some weird smell through the vents, does that mean it IS from the core or can it be from the pipe leading to the evaporator?

    Should we take the dash out and leave the evap on, then take it to the A/C people so they can put the UV light over the pipe that goes to the evap from the firewall? as if we take the evap out we have to undo those pipes and dye will leak out of there anyway, making it hard to tell whether it was leaking from there or from the actual core.

    Thanks.

  6. #6
    Forum Member 1st year Apprentice raffy73's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Traces of dye should remain in the system even after the gas is long gone because it blends with the AC oil when it has circulated and AC oil will always be in the system (or traces of it) even if the system is drained or sucked out by an AC machine.

    Its probably best to take it back to your AC specialist so they can recheck the complete AC system before committing to dashboard removal. Before you take it back to them, don't wash the engine bay or wipe down any parts of the AC system inside or outside the cabin as you might wash/wipe away a sign of a leak that would help in diagnosis.

  7. #7
    Junior Member Automotive Encyclopaedia
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    I believe there is a "stop leak " type product now available for A/C systems... I dont know how good it is.

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    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    When we have ruled out that its nothing but the evaporator, if there is a crack in the core can it be patched up somehow?

    Thanks.

  9. #9
    Forum Member 1st year Apprentice raffy73's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Some radiator places pressure test and repair evaporators, heater cores and condensers.
    Ask your local radiator repairer or your AC specialist. Otherwise replace it.

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    Junior Member Grease Monkey
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    yeah maybe weldable but if the materials weak to crack in the first place you may be only buying some time.Unless its right on the outside it really cant be done.Most toyo stuff is a plate style core.

  11. #11
    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Sounds like it's a really thin puncture as when they did the pressure test it held for half an hour, and it took about 2 weeks for it to leak out. Is there any products that i can use to patch up the area?

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    Junior Member Automotive Encyclopaedia
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Quote Originally Posted by wa5
    I believe there is a "stop leak " type product now available for A/C systems... I dont know how good it is.
    Um ..... yes

    http://www.aircondition.com/knowledg...akSealers.html

  13. #13
    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    Ah they are products that you use within the system, I'll have to find a air con place that uses these products. I was thinking more of something that you can patch the evaporator up yourself when it's out of the car.

  14. #14
    Junior Member Grease Monkey toymaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    What gas was it re filled with, was it R134a?
    I used to do heaps of a/c evapotators aren't common to leak usually.
    If its not an o- ring or fitting, i would be looking at the front of compressor [seal behind clutch] or the condensor.

  15. #15
    Junior Member Carport Converter Z2TT's Avatar
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    Default Re: A/C Evaporator Leak

    They checked around the system with a UV light in all the places under the bonnet. They didn't find anything.

    It was filled with Hychill, a R12 Substitute.

    I might get the system regassed again and get them to put some of that stuff in there that will seal up small holes.

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