New Vintage Air install and fixing a leak

[thedugan]

Look for guidance on tracking down a leak (or leaks) in a brand-new Vintage Air install. The system is dry and has nothing in it. Shop went to charge it but said they couldn't because of a leak. What is the best way to track down where the leak is coming from? I would rather not have to check every fitting and still not be sure if the system is tight.

[camcojb]

I used the inexpensive dye you add with a black light for a friends, worked great. R134 dye was about $10 and the UV flashlight was $20 on Amazon.

[zz430droptop67rs]

Originally Posted by thedugan

Look for guidance on tracking down a leak (or leaks) in a brand-new Vintage Air install. The system is dry and has nothing in it. Shop went to charge it but said they couldn't because of a leak. What is the best way to track down where the leak is coming from? I would rather not have to check every fitting and still not be sure if the system is tight.

Never heard of shop that would turn down work!

I did A/C work for many years and found it's gravy. Easy money.

Like Jody said you can test for leaks at home. I would avoid any shop that can't find a Freon leak and repair it. Crazy talk!

[dontlifttoshift]

To use the dye you have to charge it.

Buy a cheap set of gauges, used or hammer freight, whatever. Adapt the manifold where the yellow service hose would go to an air chuck and connect it to shop air. Now you can easily pressurize the system and spray it with soapy water and look for bubbles to find a leak. You can also just leave it pressurized to make sure it holds. I have had several cars pass a vacuum test and fail this test so now I do both on new installs.

[thedugan]

Thanks guys. Shop offered to track down the leak. I’d rather figure it out myself so I told them to hold off.