F150 AC issue
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F150 AC issue
Definately have a leak, and I think its the evaporator.
Before I disassemble the whole dash, is there anything that will set off my Tif Freon detector when inserted in the AC ducts, other than a leak in the evaporator?
Before I disassemble the whole dash, is there anything that will set off my Tif Freon detector when inserted in the AC ducts, other than a leak in the evaporator?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
After removing the IP and finding a pristine evaporator, doing a lot of swearing and then thinking really hard, I remembered the bottle of liquid air freshener in the glove box.
The entire carpet on the "hump" between the vent and the seat sent my H-10 detector into orbit.
Aside from something goofy like that, if you're getting a "hit" from the dash vents you've likely discovered your leak.
Try probing the evaporator case drain. A "hit" from there after sitting for a couple of hours is a dead giveaway.
What is the Make, Model and Year of your truck?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Hmmm, '08?
The evaporator certainly "could" be bad, but that's pretty young for an evap failure, barring a mfgr. defect.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a leaky evaporator to 90% probability often comes down to ruling out leaks in everything else in the system. I would sooner suspect the compressor body or shaft seals on a system of that age with no other easily detectable leaks.
Try this:
-Cover the snout of the compressor in plastic, a 59 cent shower cap works good. Seal it with duct tape or similar. If you can somehow encase the whole compressor (mounts and all) that would be even better.
-Also wrap any pressure switches and accessible fittings with plastic and seal them off, just to be thorough.
You need to have a good charge of refrigerant in the system, BTW.
Let the vehicle sit overnight then slit open the plastic and "sniff" the contents.
Edit: DUH, I overlooked something very important.
Your 2008 had UV dye installed in the AC system at the factory. Source (rent) a UV light and the necessary yellow glasses and have a look at everything that you can see of the system. Compressor leaks don't always show dye traces, so the "bag" test still applies.
The evaporator certainly "could" be bad, but that's pretty young for an evap failure, barring a mfgr. defect.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a leaky evaporator to 90% probability often comes down to ruling out leaks in everything else in the system. I would sooner suspect the compressor body or shaft seals on a system of that age with no other easily detectable leaks.
Try this:
-Cover the snout of the compressor in plastic, a 59 cent shower cap works good. Seal it with duct tape or similar. If you can somehow encase the whole compressor (mounts and all) that would be even better.
-Also wrap any pressure switches and accessible fittings with plastic and seal them off, just to be thorough.
You need to have a good charge of refrigerant in the system, BTW.
Let the vehicle sit overnight then slit open the plastic and "sniff" the contents.
Edit: DUH, I overlooked something very important.
Your 2008 had UV dye installed in the AC system at the factory. Source (rent) a UV light and the necessary yellow glasses and have a look at everything that you can see of the system. Compressor leaks don't always show dye traces, so the "bag" test still applies.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Hmmm, '08?
The evaporator certainly "could" be bad, but that's
pretty young for an evap failure, barring a mfgr. defect.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a leaky evaporator to 90% probability often comes down to ruling out leaks in everything else in the system. I would sooner suspect the compressor body or shaft seals on a system of that age with no other easily detectable leaks.
Try this:
-Cover the snout of the compressor in plastic, a 59 cent shower cap works good. Seal it with duct tape or similar. If you can somehow encase the whole compressor (mounts and all) that would be even better.
-Also wrap any pressure switches and accessible fittings with plastic and seal them off, just to be thorough.
You need to have a good charge of refrigerant in the system, BTW.
Let the vehicle sit overnight then slit open the plastic and "sniff" the contents.
Edit: DUH, I overlooked something very important.
Your 2008 had UV dye installed in the AC system at the factory. Source (rent) a UV light and the necessary yellow glasses and have a look at everything that you can see of the system. Compressor leaks don't always show dye traces, so the "bag" test still applies.
The evaporator certainly "could" be bad, but that's
pretty young for an evap failure, barring a mfgr. defect.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a leaky evaporator to 90% probability often comes down to ruling out leaks in everything else in the system. I would sooner suspect the compressor body or shaft seals on a system of that age with no other easily detectable leaks.
Try this:
-Cover the snout of the compressor in plastic, a 59 cent shower cap works good. Seal it with duct tape or similar. If you can somehow encase the whole compressor (mounts and all) that would be even better.
-Also wrap any pressure switches and accessible fittings with plastic and seal them off, just to be thorough.
You need to have a good charge of refrigerant in the system, BTW.
Let the vehicle sit overnight then slit open the plastic and "sniff" the contents.
Edit: DUH, I overlooked something very important.
Your 2008 had UV dye installed in the AC system at the factory. Source (rent) a UV light and the necessary yellow glasses and have a look at everything that you can see of the system. Compressor leaks don't always show dye traces, so the "bag" test still applies.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
The glasses really enhance the glow of the dye.
Probe the evaporator drain and see if you get a positive hit. It will be on the bottom of the evap case under the hood, or a short tube sticking through the firewall if the evap is in the case behind the inst. panel. I'm not sure how your 08 is laid out.
Probe the evaporator drain and see if you get a positive hit. It will be on the bottom of the evap case under the hood, or a short tube sticking through the firewall if the evap is in the case behind the inst. panel. I'm not sure how your 08 is laid out.
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