Air Con leak in Puma

[patclan]

Hi All,
I have a leak in my aircon, I also have a faulty heater valve that I will replace again but that is another story.

I got the aircon regassed last year after I changed the heater valve for a warm air issue, the guy told me at the time it had a leak but he couldn't find it, he reckoned if it had lasted 9 years then just top it up. Well 1 summer later and it seems it needs done again.
I am wondering if it is worth while putting one of those Aircone leak cans through it first, sealing any leak then getting it regassed. I dont want to spend heaps of money stripping it down looking for a leak if a can of stuff might be enough.

Has anyonw had any success with them? Something like these:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AIR-CONDITIONING-STOP-LEAK-R134A-45/163477208802?hash=item2610003ee2:g:1ukAAOSwRBVb74e g

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RED-ANGEL-AUTO-CAR-AC-AIR-CONDITIONER-PLUG-LEAK-STOP-ONE-SHOT-AEROSOL-HOSE/262762038594?hash=item3d2dd68542:g:Jy0AAOSw241YUN7 C (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AIR-CONDITIONING-STOP-LEAK-R134A-45/163477208802?hash=item2610003ee2:g:1ukAAOSwRBVb74e g)

Thanks
Patrick

[theelms66]

Thats the way to go .uv dye into the system then leaks can be detected using a uv light instead of a sniffer probe.

[alien]

I’d be checking with the air conditioning mechanic to see if he put dye in the system when it was recharged last time. Given there was a leak that couldn’t be found I know mine certainly would have added some.

[roverrescue]

I’m fighting a similar battle
2009 130
O.oooo PSI and about the same KPa ;)
In the system

Obviously a significant leak

Have pulled the front apart and been able to follow all pipework from firewall to dryer/ condenser and back to compressor and firewall. Absolutely no sign of oil leak from system.

So my assumption is the evaporator or evap connections
BUT annoyingly there is no oil residue in the evap drain tube

Should I put in some UV dye (which will leak instantly) to 100% confirm its evaporator
Or just bite the bullet and buy an evaporator ex UK and start yanking dash apart???

Steve

[ATH]

I had the same probs. with our Pumas aircon. Got it recharged and it was alright for a while then needed it again about 6 weeks later. Got the same bloke to do a check over and he reckoned the front seal was leaking. Just the tiniest trace of something or other that I could see using his light.
He took the front pulley off and dug out the seal. Took compressor off and got it resealed internally, end seal irreplaceable apparently. Then farted about checking other stuff flattening the battery while doing it.
By this time I'm getting fairly irritated that he'd just dug out that seal considering it's importance for dust stopping. He couldn't understand why I was worried..... obviously never been on the tracks we use.
In the end I told him to pack up and go and got the stealer to fix it after buying a replacement compressor from TRS. 3 grand later all fixed..... turned out to be a faulty seal on the evaporator.
Still got the old compressor all packed away just no end seal. Any offers. :)
AlanH.

[roverrescue]

Alan
I have read of the actual seal into the avaporator being the culprit of major leaks
Trouble is - no Aussie supplier of Evaporator only
Can get evap and heater matrix

Seems crazy to yank apart dash without having all possible parts to do repair
Knowing my luck I’ll get a new evaporator 135 quid plus freight
And it will end up being a $2 seal

S

[scarry]

Alan
I have read of the actual seal into the avaporator being the culprit of major leaks
Trouble is - no Aussie supplier of Evaporator only
Can get evap and heater matrix

Seems crazy to yank apart dash without having all possible parts to do repair
Knowing my luck I’ll get a new evaporator 135 quid plus freight
And it will end up being a $2 seal

S

What do you mean the seal into the evaporater?

Is that the pipe joint?It could be just an o ring or a nylon ring?

Is the joint behind the firewall and can't be accessed without pulling the dash into pieces?

[ian4002000]

If you do find the leaking seal, please let us see what it is and whether we can source a spare part for next time.

Ian
Bittern

[roverrescue]

Evaporator and heater matrix are enclosed in a housing which is accessed via pulling whole dash apart

The heater hoses can be removed from within engine bay

Evap Hoses (with o-rings that are known trouble makers)
Are accessed from inside cab

So my dilemma is strip the whole dash out
I really want the parts at hand to fix it

10 to 1

If I buy the evaporator it will just be an o-ring
If I risk it and just New o-rings the flipping evaporator will be holed

Meh


S