I have a very elusive AC leak. Not a big leak mind you but still a leak. I loose about 3 Oz. of R134 per month. That about 10% of the total capacity of the system. I've added UV dye, and still can't find the leak.

So here is my question. Using a UV Light, I checked the Condensate water dripping from the evaporator onto the driveway for traces of UV dye. No trace of UV dye found, the condensate was clear. Does that eliminate the evaporator as being a potential cause?

Don't know where else to look.

Thanks

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

I am neither an expert nor a professional mechanic. I've have replaced the evaporators on three 124 MBs recently and I'd have to say the answer to your question is mostly likely no. If you can not find the leak it probably is the evaporator.

See this thread.http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=152840&highlight=evaporator

Edited:
Below are a couple of photos of car with dash off, one with evap box and crash bar still in car and the other with them out.

Wow. That's not the answer I was hoping to hear. Those pictures are totally depressing.

In the link that you referred me to, (where you say that the leak was not big enough to notice any UV dye in the condensate). How big of a leak was it? How often did you need to add R134 and how much were you adding?

My leak is about 3-4 Oz/ Month. Was yours more or less?

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

In my opinion it rarely is the interior evaporator, its always seal rings and stuff like that, or the evaporator in the front because its exposed to road salt grime and rocks .. my dad has trucks that passed a million miles and we never changed any evaporators inside the cab.. problems are always outside where the components really take a beating.

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1987 190E 2.3 8 Valve
1993 VW Passat Turbo-D

Some models and years eat evap cores.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

I believe the problem was due to the use of dissimilar metals (aluminum and copper) and the differential expansion/contraction of these metals as they are heated/cooled over time leading to failure of the joining of the metals causing a leak. <- I could be wrong though

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE