My A/C quit cooling. I recharged with dye. No leaks shown

Tiny
BRYAN REVIERE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My A/C quit cooling. I recharged with dye. No leaks shown. A/C cooled well for a day. Next day compressor fried. Today I installed new compressor and dryer. Put a vacuum on it for an hour, shut pump off and in three minutes the vacuum was gone. How do I find this slow leak that's not so slow?
Saturday, April 25th, 2020 AT 4:55 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There are a number of ways to detect a leak but the dye is the best without buying a few tools.

Here is a guide that covers how to do these different things. However, if you already put dye in the system and it will not hold a charge or vacuum then clearly it is leaking somewhere we just have to find it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection

If you have searched the components in the engine bay, just make sure you check the lines and the evaporator in the HVAC housing. Clearly this is not going to be readily accessible but I would pull the blower motor out and use a borescope if needed to view in there. However, if this is the case you should find all sorts of dye and oil in there where it is leaking out.

Let us know what you find. Thanks
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
BRYAN REVIERE
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I had already read through all those other means of seeking the leak, but those needed the system charged. Mine has been vacuumed. But I will look in the evaporator area with a black light. How long would the dye be active?
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds good. It shows up until it is cleaned off so if it’s there you will see it. Let us know. Thanks.
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,959 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the system has had a leak causing the issues. Use a flash light and check the system for oily residue. Can I ask where you got the compressor from?
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 11:37 AM

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