Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

zzyzzx on Tue May 13, 2014 9:59 AM

Year: 1999
Make: Oldsmobile
Model: Alero
Engine Size: 3.4L V6
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Country of Origin: United States

I have a r134a leak. Looking around (yes even with UV glasses) I am seeing some highly suspicious stains (yellowish area )in the area around the HP port, pictured below:





From looking at those pictures, is that indicative of the port being bad, the gasket between the port and the A/C line, the A/C line itself, or maybe the pressure switch below it. What do you think?

GM Tech on Tue May 13, 2014 12:19 PM

Ports always show dye around them from the splatter when disconnected- a good cap with a good inner rubber washer will seal the port, so, if you clean off the dye, leave the cap on, then does the dye re-appear- if not, there is probably not a leak there. A good sniffer will tell you quick.

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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......

zzyzzx on Tue May 13, 2014 12:32 PM

I have tried that, but what should I clean off the dye with? What I was using before didn't work.

That and that port has never been used, so why would it splatter?

Edited: Tue May 13, 2014 at 12:33 PM by zzyzzx

WyrTwister on Tue May 13, 2014 7:57 PM

I have used rubbing alcohol to clean oil / dye . Or Windex . I suspect brake cleaner would work ?

God bless
Wyr

GM Tech on Tue May 13, 2014 10:02 PM

I use carb cleaner- but it messes with a sniffer....

-------------------------
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......

zzyzzx on Wed May 14, 2014 10:02 AM

I had tried using something like this and it did not work:

zzyzzx on Wed May 14, 2014 1:51 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: GM Tech
I use carb cleaner- but it messes with a sniffer....

Wouldn't that effect be pretty temporary?

GM Tech on Wed May 14, 2014 6:17 PM

Yes, but it takes a few hours to dissapate.

To the OP - a 99 Alero has a V-5 system- all V-5 compressors are suspect for shaft seal leaks and belly o-ring leaks- check the underside of your compressor.

-------------------------
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......

zzyzzx on Mon May 19, 2014 10:15 AM

Quote
Originally posted by: GM Tech
I use carb cleaner- but it messes with a sniffer....

Acetone soaked rag did nothing!

zzyzzx on Mon May 19, 2014 10:16 AM

Quote
Originally posted by: GM Tech
Yes, but it takes a few hours to dissapate.



To the OP - a 99 Alero has a V-5 system- all V-5 compressors are suspect for shaft seal leaks and belly o-ring leaks- check the underside of your compressor.

Problem with that is that these cars are also famous for LIM Gasket leaks, and this one leaked externally, all over the compressor already. It's filthy just from that.