So You Want to use an A/C Sealant? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-27-2010, 12:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVU2NU-Xkw

Watch this video before deciding to use a leak sealant in your a/c system. Especially make mental note of the compressor that was taken apart after leak sealant used in system.

Although this video is a sales tool for a sealant detector, I am not trying to sell you one. I have nothing to do with these people. I am posting this for your information so that you can know what you're very possibly in for if you put any of this junk in your system.

DeliveryValve · #2 05-27-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVU2NU-Xkw...

Thanks for posting. Great info.

.

soothappens · #3 05-27-2010, 01:16 PM

Great post !

I used about three cans in my service truck's system . Going to label dryer by low service port with paint marker. "LEAK SEALANT USED "

No sense in destroying mechanics machine because we tried to save money !!

Thanks for the wake up call Larry.

#4 05-27-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soothappens

Great post !

I used about three cans in my service truck's system . Going to label dryer by low service port with paint marker. "LEAK SEALANT USED "

No sense in destroying mechanics machine because we tried to save money !!

Thanks for the wake up call Larry.

THANK YOU!

If everyone that used this stuff had as much respect for others as you do, there would be no problem.

TX76513 · #5 05-27-2010, 01:02 PM

Very simple - I looked at there site but couldn't get a price for the sealant detector. They have some links bungled up, keeps taking me to the refrigerant ID kits.

#6 05-27-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Very simple - I looked at there site but couldn't get a price for the sealant detector. They have some links bungled up, keeps taking me to the refrigerant ID kits.

You can Google "Sealant Detector" and come up with several sources. They cost about $180 for the kit.

Again, I'm NOT trying to sell anything. My main reason for posting the link was so that you could see the damage that it can do not only to Recovery/Recycle machines but also to your a/c system. That compressor was NASTY! It's a cinch that the entire system in which that compressor was installed looked the same way. The only way to restore it would be to replace EVERY component in the entire system. With our precious older MB's that would be more than the car is worth in most cases.

JEBalles · #7 05-27-2010, 01:53 PM

Damn, I was think about using some, too. Well, no sir!

loepke72 · #8 05-27-2010, 02:06 PM

Watch out on those so-called "high mileage" cans of R-134a; they have sealant in them according to the label. We were shown pictures of the damage done in the Ford climate control class I went to last year. Great way to trash an A/C system and the recovery equipment. Wonder how many people unknowingly put this crap in when they top off an A/C system with small cans of R-134a they got from the local auto parts store.

ah-kay · #9 05-27-2010, 02:16 PM

One promotional video and 1 split opened compressor is NOT statistically significant enough to tell us anything. I do not know what damage could have been done to the system with sealant but I am sure there are promotional video to tell you that sealant are safe does not do any damage, the same for high mileage R134a. So the jury is still out, I do not take anything at face value.

loepke72 · #10 05-27-2010, 02:37 PM

Even if the car's system was not damaged, there is the very real problem of the sealant damaging the expensive recovery equipment when the system is later serviced by a shop using such equipment.

The way I understand how the sealant works is that it hardens on exposure to air. So, if Mr. Shadetree does his own A/C work and does not pull a vacuum on the system and then proceeds to use those cans of R-134a with the sealant in them, he'll end up with a failed system in short order. Then he decides to take the car to a shop to get it fixed, and the shop doesn't realize there's sealant in the system until it's too late.

IMO the sealant is nothing but a cheap, down and dirty, snake oil fix. Proper A/C repair often does not come cheaply.

#11 05-27-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loepke72

Even if the car's system was not damaged, there is the very real problem of the sealant damaging the expensive recovery equipment when the system is later serviced by a shop using such equipment.

The way I understand how the sealant works is that it hardens on exposure to air. So, if Mr. Shadetree does his own A/C work and does not pull a vacuum on the system and then proceeds to use those cans of R-134a with the sealant in them, he'll end up with a failed system in short order. Then he decides to take the car to a shop to get it fixed, and the shop doesn't realize there's sealant in the system until it's too late.

IMO the sealant is nothing but a cheap, down and dirty, snake oil fix. Proper A/C repair often does not come cheaply.

It's easy to see that Loepke is a perceptive individual.

#12 05-27-2010, 02:30 PM

Reminds me of what my High School Geometry Teacher used to say.... "There are none so blind as those who will not see."

rrgrassi · #13 05-27-2010, 02:36 PM

The only sealant I use is the green "Gorilla Snot" in the lawn mower tires. Bois d'arc and Mesquite thorns puncture those tires easily.

I have heard of Driers getting plugged up by A/C sealants...

ah-kay · #14 05-27-2010, 02:36 PM

There is a thread for a cane/walking stick here lately.

I took Statistic in University, and yes, I did go to a top-notch university in UK. My professor told me that you need enough samples or population to have 95% percentile confidence.

#15 05-27-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

There is a thread for a cane/walking stick here lately.

I took Statistic in University, and yes, I did go to a top-notch university in UK. My professor told me that you need enough samples or population to have 95% percentile confidence.

Just because you SAW only one spoiled system does NOT mean that is the only system ever destroyed by this junk. I saw ONE car wreck about a week ago. Does that mean that this is the only car wreck that ever occurred?

I had a person bring their car to me after it was too late and the system was totally destroyed after using this junk. It was just an old work car not worth putting any money into. All I could do was tell him that he should have brought it to me first. With an old car like that many people figure they have very little to lose.

There have been lots and LOTS of a/c systems destroyed by this stuff. There have also been LOTS of expen$ive recycle machines destroyed by the stuff. A new machine costs more than all the parts it would take to replace your entire a/c system.

It is certainly possible that I could smoke and never get cancer, but why should I tempt fate? As Loepke pointed out, it is the introduction of moisture that triggers this junk. Sooner or later the system will see moisture. Nothing runs forever.

BTW, I have taken statistics before as well. I hope you don't think you're the only person that has ever taken a statistics course. There are MANY college curriculum that require it. My daughters Major is Criminal Justice and SHE even had to take it. When it comes to my health, I don't take the chance of smoking. When it comes to my recovery/recycle machine I won't be taking chances either.