Refrigerant leaking

[hmhill17]

2002 Explorer I've put in three cans and it seems to be leaking overnight. Did not use the kind with stop leak as I read it didn't make a difference. Of course, since my refrigerant level never got about 40psi and it was under 20 within 24 hours. Does the stopleak stuff make a difference? What would be the best stuff to use to find the leak?

 

[Donystoy]

One common place for these to leak is through the side of the receiver-drier which is the aluminum cylinder to the left of the rad where the low side valve is. Check the lower section under the foam insulation for oil. I usually use soap or an electronic leak detector on these systems as well when trying to locate a leak.

 

[Number4]

Need to have due injected into the system. Then look for where the dye is coming out with an ultraviolet light and special glasses.

Find the leak and fix it properly is your best bet. Let's all just hope it isn't in the evaporator.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

If it is leaking that fast, you should be able to see an area in the system with a lot of oily residue and grime stuck to it at the spot of the leak.

 

[hmhill17]

Took it in and they thought it was the o-rings based on freon location/dye. So they replaced those. When they went to fill, they discovered a pin-##### hole in the manifold hose, which they say they've never seen before. Doubled the quoted price. Going to have a chat with them when I go in to pick it up.

 

[Number4]

The manifold hose on my 4.0 with rear ac was a mpita. It's easier to remove the compressor, install the hose to it, then install as one unit. So I can see the quoted $ more than doubling.

 

[Fordman999]

I'm an AC tech by trade and I can tell you you have a big hole somewhere in your refrigerant system. Big hole=quick leak of refrigerant. It could be leaking from the evaporator coil, or condenser coil, or even compressor. An average person would have a hard time locating the leak. Look at the piping for the AC system and see if you see an obvious oil spot or something that looks like refrigerant spewed out of. Also check you valve cores. Sometimes it leaks through there.