Air Conditioning - A/C Leak
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danjones
07-15-07, 07:42 PM
I have a leak. My A/C (split system, 5 ton) leaks freon out over 2 weeks from recharge. I am thinking about going to HC-22a. I realize that the leak needs to be fixed. I have seen both dyes and leak fixers(epoxy) adavertised. I don't mind buying gauges, vacuum pump, etc., and can follow instructions pretty well. How do I know if I have enough oil, etc.?
gremlin
07-15-07, 08:16 PM
The real problem is you also need the certification to buy the refrigerant. Leak fix is not going to work on a leak that kills a 5 ton system in two weeks. The list of gear you need to fix a system like that is pretty extensive.
Recovery tank
Recovery machine
Vacuum pump
torch
solder
gauges
bottle of R-22
Leak detector & soap
plus whatever hand tools you end up needing. That's a couple grand worth of hardware right there, before you take the test. You're definitely going to be money ahead calling a competent tech.
Recovery tank
Recovery machine
Vacuum pump
torch
solder
gauges
bottle of R-22
Leak detector & soap
plus whatever hand tools you end up needing. That's a couple grand worth of hardware right there, before you take the test. You're definitely going to be money ahead calling a competent tech.
GregH
07-15-07, 08:19 PM
danjones,
In addition to the the cost and the very steep learning curve to try and do what you propose it is not legal or right for you to do so.
Because you need to be qualified and properly certified we do not offer that kind of advice.
Whoever charged the system in the first place is responsible for finding the leak before recharging......................The days and gas-and-go are long over.
A central air system is fairly simple and a qualified tech should have no trouble finding and fixing the leak in reasonable time considering how fast it leaked out..
In addition to the the cost and the very steep learning curve to try and do what you propose it is not legal or right for you to do so.
Because you need to be qualified and properly certified we do not offer that kind of advice.
Whoever charged the system in the first place is responsible for finding the leak before recharging......................The days and gas-and-go are long over.
A central air system is fairly simple and a qualified tech should have no trouble finding and fixing the leak in reasonable time considering how fast it leaked out..
danjones
07-15-07, 09:14 PM
In my question I specified using HC-22a, which is NOT a registered substance, and in California, I DON'T need a licence to purchase it.
I have had a total of five different techs out so far, and all of them start by telling me that my unit will have to be replaced by 2010 anyway, which is supposedly when R-22 becomes unavailable, so why not do it now? Secondly, they tell me that my lines MUST be replaced, in any event. All this without either a sniffer or dye being run.
My house is only 7 years old. Under warranty, I had the condenser coil replaced
2 years ago. Last September (not under warranty) I let myself be talked into replacing the compressor. That is why I am getting VERY jaundiced about using A/C techs. I couldn't do too much worse, methinks.
I have had a total of five different techs out so far, and all of them start by telling me that my unit will have to be replaced by 2010 anyway, which is supposedly when R-22 becomes unavailable, so why not do it now? Secondly, they tell me that my lines MUST be replaced, in any event. All this without either a sniffer or dye being run.
My house is only 7 years old. Under warranty, I had the condenser coil replaced
2 years ago. Last September (not under warranty) I let myself be talked into replacing the compressor. That is why I am getting VERY jaundiced about using A/C techs. I couldn't do too much worse, methinks.
GregH
07-15-07, 09:20 PM
It's too bad you have had so much trouble but the repairs you propose are beyond the scope of these forums.