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 Post subject: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:04 am 
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Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:20 am
Posts: 14
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The AC gas on my 2008 Jeep Liberty/Cherokee KK leaks big time. Filled her up last week and the AC doesn't blow cold air anymore. How do i locate AC gas leaks? Where do i start from? Took it to an AC mechanic, who said its a big leak and he will have to start with checking the evaporator. Is there a way to identify the issue easily without having to go through the process of dismantling everything to do with the HVAC? Thank you.


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:29 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:32 am
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
A shot in the dark...

A spray bottle with soapy water— spray it on lines, joints, compressor, etc. and see if it bubbles when your compressor is on.

The pros use dye in the system that they can see with a black light when it leaks.

The evaporator is inside the dash and accessing it is like doing a heater core. If it’s leaking there, you are looking at a dash disassemble, which is expensive. Hope your leak is under the hood.

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M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:46 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:20 am
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Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
lfhoward wrote:
A shot in the dark...

A spray bottle with soapy water— spray it on lines, joints, compressor, etc. and see if it bubbles when your compressor is on.

The pros use dye in the system that they can see with a black light when it leaks.

The evaporator is inside the dash and accessing it is like doing a heater core. If it’s leaking there, you are looking at a dash disassemble, which is expensive. Hope your leak is under the hood.

Thank you lfhoward. I am also hoping (fingers crossed) it isn't the evaporator.
Are 2008MY Jeep KK's usually prone to this kind of HVAC issues?
So far, except the AC issue, my KK has been running flawlessly and very happy with it.


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:25 pm 
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
I don’t think it’s prone to AC issues any more than any other vehicle. It’s just that our Jeeps are 11 years old now and there’s wear and tear and things do occasionally need fixing. If it is the evaporator, it’s a job you could do yourself if you have a garage, some patience, and a camera to take pictures of how to put the dash back together. I replaced my heater core this year and did it myself after researching the process for a while. It took me a few days with the Jeep not driveable, but saved me thousands. The evaporator is housed just to the right of the air distribution box*, which is what I was replacing. Here are some links that might help you out. They’re not for the evaporator per se, but they will get you in the right neighborhood.

https://youtu.be/-6qfLs1ge5Q

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=82363

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=84546

And this one might come in handy for any future issues.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=80240

*The evaporator is to the right of the air distribution box in a left hand drive KK like in the states. Do you have a right hand drive KK where you are? If so, maybe it’s the other way around in order to accommodate the steering column?

_________________
2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Image
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof Rack

M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 7:17 am 
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Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:09 pm
Posts: 541
Location: Australia
There is a product that can be added to the aircon as a recharge that can seal many leaks. Its on ebay.
I have not used it so I cant say how well it works.

RED ANGEL AUTO CAR AC AIR CONDITIONER LEAK STOP ONE SHOT AEROSOL + HOSE #00222

Red Angel A/C Stop Leak & Conditioner / Aerosol repairs leak points in automotive A/C systems. Red Angel “One Shot” is intended for customers seeking a quick and easy installation. Complete with an attached coupler, Red Angel “One Shot” is a complete delivery system. Red Angel’s aerosol product is for R-134a systems only. Each unit also includes a refrigerant charge. Permanent repair!.

Repairs leak points in condensers, evaporators, connection hoses, gaskets, and o-rings
Contains no solid or particulate matter that will clog the A/C system or harm the recovery unit
Contains 2.5 ounces of Freon
Easy to use, intended for R-134a systems only

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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:21 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:20 am
Posts: 14
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The evaporator was the issue with my Liberty. It had a leak. The AC mechanic had to remove the entire dashboard to take out the evaporator. Replaced with a new evaporator and also changed the expansion valve. The AC in the Liberty is working fine now, will run it for a couple of days and see how it goes.

MOPAR branded evaporator and expansion valve were too expensive compared to the Taiwan-made parts. So went in with the Taiwan-made parts.

MOPAR Evaporator - USD350
Taiwan-made Evaporator - USD100
MOPAR AC Expansion valve - USD125
Taiwan-made Expansion valve - USD50
Cost of labor- USD230

Thanks to lfhoward and layback40 for your inputs. Happy Jeeping!


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 4:15 am 
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Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2019 10:16 pm
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My AC was cool, but not cold. It ended upneeding the AC evaporater replaced. I did this when I repllaced the heater core. Once we pulled it out you could see where it was leaking.


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 Post subject: Re: HVAC - My AC gas keeps leaking!
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2022 4:59 pm 
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Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:41 am
Posts: 53
If the evaporator is the issue will I smell freon inside the cab?


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