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Offline Cornbelt

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Central Air w/leak
« on: May 25, 2012, 05:58:13 AM »
  Can anyone tell me where to look for a leak in my central air conditioning system? We had it topped off a couple years ago with some dye added, and now it needs gassed again, so I'm thinking there should be a spot somewhere. Any ideas where to start?
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Offline charles p

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2012, 08:41:35 AM »
Mine has always been in the air handler part.  The system is split.  Compressor in yard and air handler in attic.
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Offline PowPow

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2012, 09:43:03 AM »
Refrigeration leaks can occur in any braze joint, any bend in the lines, any straight line, any fitting.
Pretty much anywhere.
Best to use a refrigerant "sniffer" to get close.
You may also find oil stains below the leak because the refrigerant blows the oil out with it.
While the refrigerant evaporates, the oil drips down to make a stain.
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Offline tacklebury

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2012, 09:43:01 AM »
yep, sniffer is the best way.  That's how we test our refrigerators to find braze leaks in manufacturing.
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Offline Cornbelt

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2012, 04:23:29 AM »
 Well, no leaks, but what I did find was a lot of crud  not letting the condensate from the A-coil to drain. After cleaning it, I stuck in a piece of gauze to wick it out and down the hose. Don't know why they put a drain in the side of the tray instead of the bottom where it could drain the last 1/4". but I'm hoping the gauze will do that. But we've got cold air now, and just in time. Its been in the 90's.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2012, 01:02:56 PM »
instead of worrying about leaks, may I suggest you concentrate on keeping the fins that the "coils", or tubing runs through, clean.  The "Hot" coils outside are most prone to dirt and debris, but even a rinse with the water hose (from the inside spraying out through the fins) will be beneficial.
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Offline muznut 54

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2012, 01:53:14 PM »
Move to Maine even though I have central air in my house I never need it.
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Offline PowPow

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2012, 02:08:06 PM »
Quote from: keith44 on May 30, 2012, 01:02:56 PM
instead of worrying about leaks, may I suggest you concentrate on keeping the fins that the "coils", or tubing runs through, clean.  The "Hot" coils outside are most prone to dirt and debris, but even a rinse with the water hose (from the inside spraying out through the fins) will be beneficial.


Cleaning the outdoor coil is an inexpensive do-it-yourself proposition. Need a gallon of coil cleaner from the refrigeration parts house, and a hand-pumped pressurized garden sprayer. Works like (and smells like) E-Z-Off oven cleaner; foams the dirt away from the coil. Rinse with the hose. Clean coil allows a lower condensing pressure, which means more cooling with less energy.


Similar procedure for the indoor coil, but make sure you use indoor coil cleaner (no caustic fumes).
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Offline muznut 54

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2012, 02:16:20 PM »
All kidding aside sometimes your compressor seals can leak and check all coolant lines and joints and clean the evaporator and condenser fins and make sure your evap drains water and if your up on freon you could have an expansion valve problem.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2012, 02:33:59 PM »
Quote from: muznut 54 on May 30, 2012, 02:16:20 PM
All kidding aside sometimes your compressor seals can leak and check all coolant lines and joints and clean the evaporator and condenser fins and make sure your evap drains water and if your up on freon you could have an expansion valve problem.


yup true enough, but the first thing to look at needs to be the condition of the coils, then look to other (and more expensive) issues.
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Offline Cornbelt

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2012, 02:38:31 PM »
   Thanks for all the suggestions. The system's only 28 yrs old. I'd hate to give up on it so soon. Glad to get it going. Maybe another 28, y'reckon?
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Offline keith44

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2012, 10:22:33 AM »
sold a running a/c unit that was built in 1973 for a guy to use in his garage/polebarn until he could afford a new unit.  As of last week it was still in service.  That makes that one 39 years old and still chugging.  The only thing I ever did to that one was regular cleanings, and replaced the start and run capacitors and the relay twice.  This unit is from a mobile home, and has both sets of coils, and the blower and cooling fan in one unit.  The case rusted through in a couple places and the guy who bought it has patched those.  28 years more out of yours?? maybe, but you will need to do more than just clean it, and re-charge it.
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Offline PowPow

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2012, 12:04:51 PM »
28 year old unit is at best 6 or 7 SEER. Don't know how much you use it where you are, but the worst efficiency new one (13 SEER) would use half the electricity of what you have now, even if the old one was running perfectly. You would probably get your money back in a few years, and have a warranty on the new one so you would not have any major repair expenses for at least the next five years.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Central Air w/leak
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2012, 01:55:46 PM »
with the new compressors being non-serviceable sealed units and designed for a max life of 7 to 10 years I prefer the older technology
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