A/C Leak stop... opinions and experience

[TractorGuy]

In my case I found and repaired some leaks using dye but still had a leaking hose I could not identify. The leak detector I bought off ebay only cost 20 bucks and worked like a charm to locate the final leak. At the end of the day I had to replace ALL my hoses.

 

[CajunRider]

With the system that leaks down in minutes, you should be able to locate that leak fairly easily. If the leak is in the fittings or hoses you can repair it yourself. If it is in the condenser or evaporator get professional repair. The stop leak never work long term for me. You will wind up spending all the money in refrigerant and stop leak stuff and still have a faulty system.

 

[flingwing1969]

If you put in leak stop most shops won't charge or even check your system as it will foul their equipment. They will perhaps purge your system - cleaning out the leak stop, for a price.

 

[The Fred]

If you're leaking freon, you'll also be leaking some oil with it.
Examine the system as best you can to see if you have any oily residues.

It's really hard to see oil residue on R-134A systems. Pressurize the system with Nitrogen, shop air works just fine as long as you vacuum the system down for a good while after the leak is fixed. Check with soapy water chances are the condenser is bad or a fitting/oring. You'll see bubbles everywhere.

I do auto A/C regularly and I have all the fancy leak detectors but many times soapy water and compressed air find the leak much faster especially on a leak of your size.

Stop leak can ruin an A/C machine but works good on the tiniest of leaks that you can't find or don't want to repair like a hard to replace evaporator.

I use it sparingly if needed and have never had any issues with the snotty stuff. If I can I pressurize the system 100 psi and leave overnight, even a 2 or 3 pound loss overnight is a loss.

Good luck, Fred