Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

customfoam on Sat August 06, 2011 9:42 PM

Year: 2002
Make: ford
Model: explorer
Engine Size: 4.0
Refrigerant Type: 134

Would anyone know what is the common parts of the a/c to go bad/leak on an explorer 2002? presurized the system and used soap except evap as it is behind the dash and no bubbling, any ideas? or is it difficult to remove the dash for inspection of the evaporator?

TRB on Sun August 07, 2011 1:07 AM

Spring lock connections.

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GM Tech on Sun August 07, 2011 8:49 AM

Put some dye in it. and let it sit overnight

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

GM Tech on Sun August 07, 2011 8:49 AM

Put some dye in it. and let it sit overnight

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

safado on Wed August 10, 2011 11:14 PM

I think it was the older ones.. but the foam around the accum would keep moisture and would cause it to rust through..

GM Tech on Thu August 11, 2011 3:41 AM

Only if a steel accumulator--aluminum ones are okay to moisture...

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

NickD on Fri August 12, 2011 7:09 AM

Thought I was the only one that was refrigerant blind. Yes, soap and water works fine if your system leaks down in a couple of hours, but not in a million years will you detect even 5 ounces per month with soap and water.

Although testing in clear water with a good 3D look is acceptable in production with a very high pressure within the component. Here you can see the smallest formation of even the tiniest bubble. Only way I know of doing this in a vehicle is to drop it in a swimming pool that would have other consequences.

With MVAC can just have an oil or a dye leak, either is not easy to detect if that same vehicle also has a bunch of engine oil, AT, coolant, brake, and PS leaks. Seen some underhoods so bad, didn't even want to touch anything from fear of getting some kind of contamination. And this can occur without even losing a drop of refrigerant. Or vice-versa, no dye or oil leaks anywhere, but that refrigerant can pour out like crazy. Typically through the service ports up high.

So you need both means of detection, visual in a cleaned up system first, they did invent steam cleaning an engine and a good electronic leak detector that does take some skill to use properly.

With all these new crazy names they are giving vehicles today, one name should apply to all, "LEAK". Practically went crazy tracing down a fuel evaporative leak generating a blinding check engine lamp. Here, can only use a couple of PSI pressure or the fuel system would blow up and can be anywhere from the rear of the vehicle to the very front tip of it. Minor coolant leaks can be a nightmare if it evaporates not even leaving the slightest trace. But you know you have a leak with any fluids if they go down. Or how about a minor leak in the in-tank fuel pump grommet preventing you from starting your vehicle. That was easy to repair, but the accessibility was a bitch.

With also recent brake system leaks, not as bad, brake fluid does leave a trace, but may require removing rusted rear brake drums to find it. But you know you have a leak if your reservoir fluid creeps down.

Temperature plays a huge difference in leaks, can be perfectly normal at room, but leak like crazy when hot.

Like a sight glass AC system, can detect leaks under the same ambient conditions by seeing more bubbles in the system. But this just tells you, you have leak. Question is where? And with an older system, not in just one spot, but a little spread out everywhere.

Oh yet another leak to deal with was in exhaust systems. Easy enough, run the engine and can feel hot gases hit your hand, but has to be done quick before that CO kills you. Yet another leak is in your tires, here soap and water works fine.

Get my point about calling your vehicle, "LEAK"? AC system is just a drop in the bucket.