Vintage Air losing charge - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gene · 08-26-2013, 05:16 PM

Ok, I've had my system installed now for 6 months and have yet to get to enjoy it for more than a full day. Initial charge didn't last overnight, took it back to my buddy(an industrial HVAC guy who's been doing it for 20 years). We introduced the dye into the system with next charge, none shows and still leaks out overnight to the point where compressor wont engage. Take it back, charge again... Used soap bubbles this time at every connection, still no luck, leaked out overnight. Anybody here have any suggestions on where I should go from here? Cant get a good referral from anyone here in town on who to take it to try and detect where my leak is. I'm about to pull what little hair out that I have left! I have another co-worker that works in our HVAC department who said he can charge it with R-22 and he should be able to see the leak. Does this even sound like a good idea? I don't know.

Lee H · 08-26-2013, 05:24 PM

I would take it to a shop that has a sniffer to detect the leak. Going to have to take out the glove box to better access the rear of the unit.

STOCKISH · 08-26-2013, 05:26 PM

If they put dye in it you should be able to see it with a black light. AC leaks are one of the easiest things to find, especially with dye and a black light. Try that but look at the system with the black light in the evening where more dye will show. Also check the AC drain, if evaporator is leaking and system has run enough to condensate you will see traces of dye in the drain tube. Good luck man.

Gene · 08-26-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee H

I would take it to a shop that has a sniffer to detect the leak. Going to have to take out the glove box to better access the rear of the unit.

I've never had the glovebox installed. Yeah, I've been told to find someone with a sniffer.

Gene · 08-26-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

If they put dye in it you should be able to see it with a black light. AC leaks are one of the easiest things to find, especially with dye and a black light. Try that but look at the system with the black light in the evening where more dye will show. Also check the AC drain, if evaporator is leaking and system has run enough to condensate you will see traces of dye in the drain tube. Good luck man.

I've got the black light and UV glasses here at the house, I've had the garage door shut and lights off and haven't seen one tiny spot of dye since last charge. The only place it's visible is the sightglass on the dryer. I also checked the drain tube. I'm at a loss here guys.

Special-Ed · 08-26-2013, 05:31 PM

they used to have sniffers available.... no die needed.

cdowns · 08-26-2013, 05:33 PM

i would call vintage air for customer service tech

Gene · 08-26-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i would call vintage air for customer service tech

I called them, they said yeah, sounds like you've got a leak somewhere.

ole dollor · 08-26-2013, 05:56 PM

have you tried to pull a vacuum on the system and see if it will hold a vacuum over night, a lot of the time when no leaks can be found, the compressor can be suspect. a good leak detector should find the leak .

STOCKISH · 08-26-2013, 06:02 PM

The sniffer will get you in the general area. The dye is 100% correct every time. Hope you find it man.

If it leaks overnight, it wont hold a vacuum.

Gene · 08-26-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

The sniffer will get you in the general area. The dye is 100% correct every time. Hope you find it man.

If it leaks overnight, it wont hold a vacuum.

Haven't pulled it down overnight, but vacuumed it for a good hour prior to first, second and third charges. Every time it held good vacuum. But that's at low rpm with lower pressures, seems like it starts losing charge on the drive home from his house 30 miles away from mine, the compressor starts cycling more frequent halfway home?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole dollar

have you tried to pull a vacuum on the system and see if it will hold a vacuum over night, a lot of the time when no leaks can be found, the compressor can be suspect. a good leak detector should find the leak.

I sure hope it is something like that, I can send it back to Vintage Air before my warranty is up, the system is brand new and it sure sucks not to be able to use it.

mgchevyparts · 08-26-2013, 06:25 PM

Use dye and a sniffer. That's a large leak to lose it overnight.

1972RedNeck · 08-26-2013, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

If it leaks overnight, it wont hold a vacuum.

My '72 that I had had a nasty leak. It would hold vacuum for over 24 hours. It wouldn't hold freon for more than 2 hours. Turned out I had a loose fitting. Somehow the vacuum sucked the o-ring in tight enough to hold but pressure blew by.

crushermechanic · 08-26-2013, 08:20 PM

check the shaft of your compressor. i have seen them leak brand new out of the box. it will sling the dye and you wont be able to see it.

**truckdude239** · 08-26-2013, 10:00 PM

It probley leaking from the seal from behind the clutch on the compressor
Posted via Mobile Device

mgchevyparts · 08-26-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushermechanic

check the shaft of your compressor. i have seen them leak brand new out of the box. it will sling the dye and you wont be able to see it.

Agree

Gene · 08-26-2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushermechanic

check the shaft of your compressor. i have seen them leak brand new out of the box. it will sling the dye and you wont be able to see it.

Check for endplay or runout? How do I check the shaft.
Posted via Mobile Device

08-26-2013, 05:16 PM	#1
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Vintage Air losing charge Ok, I've had my system installed now for 6 months and have yet to get to enjoy it for more than a full day. Initial charge didn't last overnight, took it back to my buddy(an industrial HVAC guy who's been doing it for 20 years). We introduced the dye into the system with next charge, none shows and still leaks out overnight to the point where compressor wont engage. Take it back, charge again... Used soap bubbles this time at every connection, still no luck, leaked out overnight. Anybody here have any suggestions on where I should go from here? Cant get a good referral from anyone here in town on who to take it to try and detect where my leak is. I'm about to pull what little hair out that I have left! I have another co-worker that works in our HVAC department who said he can charge it with R-22 and he should be able to see the leak. Does this even sound like a good idea? I don't know. __________________ 1971 SWB 4X4 Build BOARD MEMBER #5448 BOOMER SOONER!!!!

08-26-2013, 05:24 PM	#2
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,142	Re: Vintage Air losing charge I would take it to a shop that has a sniffer to detect the leak. Going to have to take out the glove box to better access the rear of the unit. __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

08-26-2013, 05:26 PM	#3
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: Vintage Air losing charge If they put dye in it you should be able to see it with a black light. AC leaks are one of the easiest things to find, especially with dye and a black light. Try that but look at the system with the black light in the evening where more dye will show. Also check the AC drain, if evaporator is leaking and system has run enough to condensate you will see traces of dye in the drain tube. Good luck man. __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

08-26-2013, 05:31 PM	#6
Special-Ed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Floriduh Posts: 386	Re: Vintage Air losing charge they used to have sniffers available.... no die needed. __________________ Ed will be known as the Tiger Woods of the integration business

08-26-2013, 05:33 PM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Vintage Air losing charge i would call vintage air for customer service tech __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-26-2013, 05:56 PM	#9
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: Vintage Air losing charge have you tried to pull a vacuum on the system and see if it will hold a vacuum over night, a lot of the time when no leaks can be found, the compressor can be suspect. a good leak detector should find the leak .

08-26-2013, 06:02 PM	#10
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: Vintage Air losing charge The sniffer will get you in the general area. The dye is 100% correct every time. Hope you find it man. If it leaks overnight, it wont hold a vacuum. __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

08-26-2013, 06:25 PM	#12
mgchevyparts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Upland, Calif Posts: 698	Re: Vintage Air losing charge Use dye and a sniffer. That's a large leak to lose it overnight. __________________ 1957 CHEVY 1/2 TON SHORT BED 1940 FORD 1/2 TON SHORT BED

08-26-2013, 08:20 PM	#14
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	Re: Vintage Air losing charge check the shaft of your compressor. i have seen them leak brand new out of the box. it will sling the dye and you wont be able to see it.

08-26-2013, 10:00 PM	#15
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,232	Re: Vintage Air losing charge It probley leaking from the seal from behind the clutch on the compressor Posted via Mobile Device __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

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