Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Diametric wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2026 3:03 pm Thank you for posting that. I think posts like that can really help people.
I'm pleasantly surprised you're posting from mainland China.

Yes, it seems there are very few users from mainland China here

Cusser wrote: Mon Sep 14, 2026 5:46 am 1. Assuming that you're not AI or a "bot", I'm surprised that a shop would just replace a compressor shaft seal instead of the entire compressor. Are you in USA?

LOL I am a real person in China. Maybe it's just a minor issue, I think.

A/C would blow cold for about 2–3 weeks, then slowly get warm. Took it to two different shops. Both used electronic sniffers, checked the usual spots, and couldn't find anything obvious. Both times they evacuated, recharged, added a bit of oil, and sent me on my way. The same thing happened again ...

I use both.
I have a TIF 5650 that I bought new years ago and it STILL works as good as new. False positives can be an issue tho.
Some situations my sniffer seems to work better. Other situations, dye seems to get the job done best.
Sometimes I use one to confirm the other.

Never had any issues ...

Tim wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2026 10:16 am Good-quality electric is my choice. I use the Bacharach H-10 PRO.

It sounds good

I've been in the field for a while now, and one thing I keep going back and forth on is leak detection methods. Wanted to get some input from the community here.

Electronic leak detectors — seems like everyone has one in their truck these days. Heated diode, infrared, ultrasonic... lots of options ...

Blowout wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 4:23 pm It helps if you have a UV flashlight and turn the lights off in the shop (or just wait until dark), to look for leaks. They'll show up all right.

Yes, I already own an excellent UV light, and I want to make the most of it.

Consult vehicle manufacturer before adding dye. Ford for example, came with dye since 1995 and have issue technical service bulletins ( TSBs ) on the issue and highlights adding dye reduces the lubricity of the compressor oil leading to premature compressor failure.
This statement by me can be ...

Cusser wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2026 6:50 am NEVER ADD SEALER OR REFRIGERANT CONTAINING SEALANT, IT CAN RUIN YOUR SYSTEM.

Oh, is this useless? I thought this was a good self-repair method.

Yes, UV dye - used in low light and with appropriate yellow goggles - DOES work to find leaks. I've only used liquid UV dye or purchased correct refrigeration oil already containing UV dye and used that when installing a new AC compressor. But UV dye is just one tool in the arsenal to find leaks ...