Page 1 of 1

Leak testing with shop air

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:52 am
by robmaxfli
Its an empty R12 system with Mineral Oil and UVDye installed - but I don't have access to Nitrogen - so I'd like to be able to pressurize with normal shop air. I know air 's got moisture in it but I have another Accumulator that I can put on (and ruin) in the process of leak testing. I can put the new Accumulator back on after I find the leak ...
are there any other good reasons not to use compressor air in this situation?
Also, can I add R134 and pressurize it with the shop air.

thanks

Re: Leak testing with shop air

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 11:19 am
by Tim
Use some R134a to place pressure in the system, do not run system. No shop air!

Re: Leak testing with shop air

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:19 pm
by robmaxfli
I don't have a sniffer so I was looking to use soap and water. would this method create enough pressure to use S+W?

Re: Leak testing with shop air

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 1:29 pm
by Tim
robmaxfli wrote:I don't have a sniffer so I was looking to use soap and water. would this method create enough pressure to use S+W?
Depends on the size of the leak.

Re: Leak testing with shop air

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 9:11 pm
by Dougflas
Do not use soap and water. You will get better results using Big Blue or Snoop.