chimpboy wrote:
I agree... but also note that there are plenty of leak points around the evaporator as this is where the tx valve is usually connected and there is often a short extension piece as well.
What I am getting at is, if you "think" it's the evaporator but aren't sure you may be able to save a lot of money by getting the leak checked properly. It could just be an o-ring or something that's come loose.
I haven't used it and I know I am not meant to "guess", but I would not bother with the stop leak stuff as it is not that hard to repair the system. An evaporator is only worth a couple of hundred bucks new and it may not even be the evaporator anyway.
I've had it checked "properly" by the pro's 3 times now.
About a year ago the AC Stopped working. I'll explain why ive lost faith in the AC repair shops in my area!
1st place i took it to told me it was a leaking hose connected to the compressor, reason being that the aluminium fitting on the end had wear marks from a cable rubbing it. Quoted $250 (or so) for a new hose. I decided to remove the hose myself, and i got it tested (through work) to see if the worn section had actually made a hole. The hose was fine, yes it was worn thinner, but not through, I had the aluminium professionally built back up. Hose was re-fitted (and 100% not the problem). So thats $250 that woulda been wasted.
When picking up the car (and before i knew the hose was still ok) I asked if there were any other leaks in the system and was told "nah we didnt fill it, we can see that hose is the problem" I wasnt happy with this response so didnt go back to this place. Mind you, my AC still had gas in it which they drained and prob re-sold.
2nd place i took it to told me they fully checked it out, and the compressor is stuffed and needs replacement. They sounded pretty confident so i purchased a brand new compressor ($500 or so) took it back to them to fit the compressor and gas the system.
I pick it up in the arvo and they tell me it has another leak, "we think its the evaporator, its about $750 to replace" this time they didnt sound so confident, and i did not want to keep replacing expensive parts till the problem eventually goes away! I want a definate answer.
No internal panels were removed, i believe they used a sniffer which detected a leak behind the dash, but cannot pinpoint it. So basically the leak is a $2 o-ring, or a $750 evaporator. But they cant tell me which one.
3rd place i take it to, I tell him my full story, about the 2 previous ac places. He actually laughs and comments how bad service that is.
Anyway, this guy held the system in a vacuum for a few hours and told me there was no pressure change. He then gasses the system with a dye. He confirmed there are no engine bay leaks, but tells me his "sniffer machine" isnt working so cant detect in-cabin leaks, but bring it back later.
I havent been back yet, its about 3 months later now. Im trying to decide wether its worth going back or not because i know there is an in-cabin leak, and his sniffer will probably confirm that. But still, it wont pinpoint it!
Im still going to bring it in to this guy, ill give him a chance, and ill just tell him if he detects a leak to actually remove panels and visibly see it.
So you can see how my patience is wearing a little thin. I just thought this stop leak might give me a couple years of working AC without too much trouble. I dont mind spending $100 to regas, plus the cost of the stop leak if i get at least 2 years trouble free.
By the way, its a 100 series cruiser, the evaporator is in a TNUC of a position!
Mike
