What do you know about freon leak detectors?
 

So it appears I've got a leak in my AC system. I've charged it twice in the past few weeks and now it is not working again. The first time I thought it was a bad port which I fixed. But now it seems low again.

It appears I have a leak somewhere.

In looking araound ebay has some for under $30 shipped. Harbor Freight has one for $80 and I have a 20% off coupon.

How well do these things work? And how easy will it be to pinpoint a leak with one of them?

I have just about all other AC tools including crimper to repair and make hoses.

Thanks,
Ryan

I have a Snap-On heated pentode detector which is incredibly sensitive. Onca a leak is detected, a push of a button changes the sensitivity threshold, reducing the sensitivity so that the source of the leak can be pinpointed. It works extremely well. (It appears to be a TIF unit.)

http://www.tif.com/products/detail.php?id=8667

I too have the TIF unit, very happy with its usefulness in finding a leak.

Here is one from ebay I'm thinking about ordering-
http://cgi.ebay.com/Freon-CFC-HFC-Halogen-Gas-Refrigerant-Leak-Detector-W0A_W0QQitemZ270442884555QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef7a6edcb&_trksid=p3286.c0. m14

And the Harbor Freight version-
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92514


If I want it today I'll go buy the HF, but I think I'll save $30 and order the one from ebay as I'm not driving too much right now anyways.

There are two basic types. The heated pentode as mentioned above is the latest technology and seems to be far superior than the old units.

I have an Inficon Tekmate that uses this technology. I bought it at a local refrigeration supply house for $175 plus tax. IMHO there are many of this type, but I don't know how there could be any that are better.

Before I bought mine I did lots of polling and research on an auto a/c website. The overwhelming choice of those guys was the Tekmate. Now that I have one, I know why they rave about it.

I always use the Halide torch:

http://www.uniweld.com/catalog/refrig_hvac/leak_detector/leak_detector.htm

Supposedly the Halide torch has been discovered to put off some pretty toxic fumes. That said, my Dad used one a lot beginning in the mid fifties and he's still alive at the age of 88. He is suffering extreme Dimensia, but it's hard to say whether such things have anything to do with it.

The torch is somewhat inexpensive, but I've never really been a fan. You get your hands on a Tekmate and you won't be satisfied with any other form of sniffing leak detection.

I have an Inficon D-TEK select. It is a very good detector. The TECKMATE seems like a better deal compared to the more pricey D-TEK. The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Good Luck.

If someone only has a couple of cars to deal with that Ebay unit sounds hard to beat...

Anyone have any negative experiences with that particular unit ?

It really sounds too good to be true in terms of price...

Also interested in any positive comments on that unit... clearly I am thinking about getting one... Thanks, Greg

Well, after seeing the Ebay units were shipped from Hong Kong, I decided I didn't want to wait a week and a half for it. There was a used TIF unit on ebay I could have gotten for $65 shipped but with my discount I got the HF one for $60.

I tested it out on the car and it beeped pretty good all around the drier. I put a small charge in to get the pressure up to about 60psi. I unscrewed the drier from the car and noticed the temp switch was leaking. It was on the red part.

So after trying to find one here and seeing what the stealership wants, I ordered one from Phil with Next Day Air. I just placed the order so I am assuming it will be here Thursday. My glowplug light has been randomly flashing. I think the relay is bad. So I needed a new one of those and some other random stuff.

I took the freon out of the system. So it is just sitting open so I got a new drier as well.

I'm taking a road trip to KC on Friday so I want everything in tip top shape. I'll get everything up and running Thur night/Fri morning.

Ok, you guys got me fired up... I ordered the TIF 5000 on Ebay... at $35 including shipping I do not think I can go wrong...
Now to decide on a vacuum pump... that is about the last thing.. have nitrogen bottle just crying to be used...

You thinking aspirator for vacuum from the nitrogen bottle?

A/C Leak
 

What about recharging it with freon that contains dye? Good for the DIYer.

Torie

Harbor Freight sells them for under $100. I have one I have barely used since I bought a charge/evac machine with one on it but I don't think I would sell it cheaper then they do. Plus they send out 20% off coupons every couple weeks if you are on their email list.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98076

That would be $72 with 20% off.

Wow. I placed my order literally minutes before I posted this message. It was 5pm Central Time. I assumed the order wouldn't be processed until today and then they would get it out this afternoon. At 9am there is a knock at my door. The UPS man with the package from MercedesShop.com. I'm speechless at how quickly I got it. I did do Next Day Air but I assumed a day for processing. Thanks Phil! Even with Next Day Air (which was only $32 buy the way) I saved a ton of money from buying stuff locally and got is at the same time.

When my son goes down for a nap I'll work on everything.

I think that was my only leak so I'll put the new drier in and fill it with freon and we'll see how it goes!

I do not believe in using dye.
It has the potential for clogging up all sorts of small things...
AND more importantly does not help with leaks on the top of lines or in the evaporator area.... so there are too many downsides for me to put the stuff into my system.

The Nitrogen is for a four oz shot of R22 for leak checking and also for propelling the flush through the system... .... I do not expect any leaks since I will be taking the entire system down and flushing, putting nylog on correct seals, using two wrenches for each holding job where called for, new compressor, etc..
But believe in checking the system in the pressurized condition before checking in the vacuum condition.

HF sells them for under $100 ? I am getting mine AND it shipped to me for a TOTAL of $35.

For use with nitrogen and a few ounces of R22, the TIF should work fine. R22 is very easily detected by any sniffer. It is 134 that warrants the newer technology. The older sniffers don't work very well with 134.

I agree Larry.... I only have two cars to work on... the 240 with R12..
and the 95 Lincoln with R134a... the compressor is leaking out the front seal on that one.. so I may not need an actual leak finder... that is my hope... at $35 if it works just for the 240 I will be very pleased...
Now to find that small an amount of R22..... any suggestions ?