|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
I Just Got a Halogen Leak Detector!
Picked one up at Harbor Freight for $59. I can't imagine how many times I have needed/wanted one, when the UV dye trick didn't work so well. Of course, at this point in time, I don't actually NEED it. But I'm sure the time will come. In particular, I think this thing might be most useful when checking out used cars.
Anyone have any anecdotes to share from using one of these? Any tips? I can't wait to get home. I'm gonna crack open my manifold gauges just a hair to see what it detects...
__________________
08 W251 R350 97 W210 E320 91 W124 300E 86 W126 560SEL 85 W126 380SE Silver 85 W126 380SE Cranberry 79 W123 250 78 W123 280E 75 W114 280 |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
A friend bought one of those. Total junk. He swapped it for another one which was just as bad. Total junk.
__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave 78 Corvette Stingray - 3k 82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k 86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k 87 420sel - 240k 89 560sl - 78k 91 420sel - 205k 91 560sel - 85k 94 GMC Suburban - 90k 97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k 00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Can you provide a basis for your "junk" assessment?
__________________
08 W251 R350 97 W210 E320 91 W124 300E 86 W126 560SEL 85 W126 380SE Silver 85 W126 380SE Cranberry 79 W123 250 78 W123 280E 75 W114 280 |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino 1989 560SEC 2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual 1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I'd also like to hear more of an explanation... I bought an electronic leak detector around 5 years ago. I've used it to find/fix leaks in A/C systems (mobile and stationary units) at least 10 times. The one I have is incredibly sensitive and, to date, it has never failed to find the leakage point in a system I've been troubleshooting. I consider it one of the most effective tools in my tool chest.
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
I also have 2 leak detectors. They work great. However that one from Harbor Freight is junk. I compared it side by side with quality instruments two times. The first instrument was so bad we thought it was defective. We exchanged it for another one. Same results. They are junk. Sure it will detect the large leaks like a manifold hose with freon in it. Good GOD it should. But where it really counts is when the leak is small. Like a fraction of a pound of freon per year size leak. Try that with the HF special. It won't see it. I was able to get the HF unit to register a leak by simply breathing on it. Now maybe that says something about my breath. But I think it says something more about the detector itself. Try the "breath test" and see if it responds.
Bottom line is if you are happy with it - thats cool. Tinfreeh - I am not saying all electronic detectors are junk just the HF ones IMHO. Just relating my experiences with it just like you asked.
__________________
I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave 78 Corvette Stingray - 3k 82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k 86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k 87 420sel - 240k 89 560sl - 78k 91 420sel - 205k 91 560sel - 85k 94 GMC Suburban - 90k 97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k 00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k Last edited by dpetryk; 08-29-2007 at 12:04 PM. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
You are right. I did the breath test first thing when I opened it (I don't know why). At the hightest and second-highest sensitivity settings, my breath would make it beep. I thought it was weird, but didn't think too much of it. What you are saying now makes sense.
It's going back tomorrow.
__________________
08 W251 R350 97 W210 E320 91 W124 300E 86 W126 560SEL 85 W126 380SE Silver 85 W126 380SE Cranberry 79 W123 250 78 W123 280E 75 W114 280 Last edited by gmercoleza; 08-29-2007 at 03:42 PM. |
Bookmarks |
|
|