Leak on home A/C

Yes it is! These are sealed systems, so if the tech made no effort in locating your leak, it will continue to loose freon. We are required by the E.P A. law, to make every effort we can to locate the freon leak. We can get away the first time, but always check for any signs of leakage. How much freon did he add? Should say on the service order as we charge by the lb. Look on the data plate on the outdoor unit to see what it holds, and compare how much was added. The compressor is working overtime trying to keep up. I would schedule a leak check to take care of the problem. They will not let us keep coming out to add freon with out finding the leak, its changed so much do to our o-zone layer. Please rate me on my help to you.
Shastalaker7
A/C, & Heating Contractor
The E.P.A. keep records of our freon use, and where it goes.

Normally due to low freon. Also, notice if the a/c compressor clutch engages, as it will not if the freon is low.

Below is a guide to troubleshoot and check system function. This can be done by most folks.

Look at the front of the ac compressor and have someone turn on the ac from inside the car. The front of the pulley(clutch) will spin when turned on.

If it does not spin, the low pressure switch (LPS) is not satisfied. Meaning there is not enough freon in the system to operate the system. Means low freon capicity because of a leak.

The LPS can be jumpered to cause the compressor to run (clutch to engaged) which will draw the freon in the system.

The LPS is usually a two wire sensor on the suction of the compressor. (between evaporator and compressor) Unplug the sensor and install a jumper, this will engage the clutch. Connect a new can of freon
and fill to system capacity.

The capacity of the ac system will be on a label under the hood, do not overfill. Probably about 2 lbs. Local parts stores (Auto Zone and Advance) will have freon with stop leak. This may help the leak. They also make a freon with a UV dye. I always add a single can with dye so that if stop leak does not work I can find the leak in the future.

The system should be filled until suction pressure is about 30 to 38 psi..

Remember the flow for the a/c system is :
1. From the compressor a high pressure (HP) gas goes to the condenser in front of the radiator.
2. From the condenser a HP liquid goes to an expansion device (orifice tube or expansion valve)
3. From expansion device the low pressure gas enters the firewall to the evaporator.
4. From evaporator the low pressure liquid/gas mixture goes through the dryer back to the compressor suction.

Below is a guide to troubleshoot and check system function. This can be done by most folks.

Look at the front of the ac compressor and have someone turn on the ac from inside the car. The front of the pulley(clutch) will spin when turned on.

If it does not spin, the low pressure switch (LPS) is not satisfied. Meaning there is not enough freon in the system to operate the system. Means low freon capicity because of a leak.

The LPS can be jumpered to cause the compressor to run (clutch to engaged) which will draw the freon in the system.

The LPS is usually a two wire sensor on the suction of the compressor. (between evaporator and compressor) Unplug the sensor and install a jumper, this will engage the clutch. Connect a new can of freon
and fill to system capacity.

The capacity of the ac system will be on a label under the hood, do not overfill. Probably about 2 lbs. Local parts stores (Auto Zone and Advance) will have freon with stop leak. This may help the leak. They also make a freon with a UV dye. I always add a single can with dye so that if stop leak does not work I can find the leak in the future.

The system should be filled until suction pressure is about 30 to 38 psi..

Remember the flow for the a/c system is :
1. From the compressor a high pressure (HP) gas goes to the condenser in front of the radiator.
2. From the condenser a HP liquid goes to an expansion device (orifice tube or expansion valve)
3. From expansion device the low pressure gas enters the firewall to the evaporator.
4. From evaporator the low pressure liquid/gas mixture goes through the dryer back to the compressor suction.

if compressor is comin on an you r sure then you are low on freon,there is not a port to put freon in you would have purchase a tap valve on the bigger line then apply freon to it ,thats located inside of the system

Ok if you want to do a home repair in hopes of saving yourself a lot of money and with hopes your system is not in major trouble, here goes:
First step buy 3 types of 1 lb. cans of refrigerant R134a at a parts store, 1 can of leak detector freon combination, and if possible 1 can freon/air conditioning oil combination freon along with 1 can of straight r134a freon.
The store will sell you a charge hose with a cheap type of charge gauge attachment and fittings to attach to your system for the re-charge.
Providing your system is low on freon,First, with the vehicle running and the a/c on full cold, high fan, install the 1 lb. can of freon/oil combo first only charging through the low pressure side of the system never through the thin line high pressure side as the pressure from the high side can enter the cgharging freon can and explode it like a bomb,(this low side line is the larger hose and the low side charging hose fitting the parts store sells you will only screw onto the low side charge valve which is normally marked "low" on the top of the plastic dust cap that is factory installed(hand screwed) on the low side valve fitting.
Secondly after the oil/combo can is emptied into the low side and you of course are wearing mechanics hand protection gloves and eye protection googles, then and only then will you install the leak dector 1 lb. freon can combo.
Third you will install the last 1 lb can of r134a freon, however your vehicle will not allow the whole last pound of freon into its system by means of a pressure relief blow valve that will automatically blow off any excess pressure once the system over fills, the system typically holds approximately 2.75 lbs. of freon.
If you have successfully installed the above freon into the system it should be up and running providing the system is in fairly good working order, by that I mean it may have a very slow leak that allowed the freon tio originally escape in the first place causing you to refill it, and if it does have a leak the leak detector die that you installed into the system should leak out from wherever it may be escaping from, indicating the place of needed repair by means of a red or blue, or whatever other designated coloration the die gives out from the leaking area.
Please note: Not all home charging techniques typically work as there are many mechanical failure factors in an a/c system that may require a certified a/c technician to determine exactly why your system is not working should the home remedy fail.
I hope this helps you and remember to always work safe with eye and hand protection especially around freon gases which become extremely cold and can cause frost bite when contacting with the bare skin.

most charge it threw the low side ac line, there is 2 high side and low the low is the bigger fitting of the two, and should be capped follow the ac lines you will find it. However I really suggest you have it done with a AC machine by a certified tech. There is moisture in the system, what refrigerent that is in there should be recycled then a vacum to get it out, it also takes some ofthe old oil out and new put back in usually best mixed with uv dye to detect a leak later. Good luck

If the system was workin enough for you to add freon and stop leak you may have overcharged the system and blew out the location of the leak to make it lose enough charge that it shut down from being low on charge. There is a low pressure switch that will stop the clutch on the compressor from engaging when low on charge. The hose connections have O-rings and the system needs to be discharged and the Freon captured to replace the O-rings. ALL O-rings should be replaced at once if that is the case. Look to see where the red dye showed up if you put in the stop leak. Normally the seal in the compressor is what starts leaking first. It sounds like your leak is bad enough that stop leak will not be the answer so you may have to break down and take it to a shop to check the system.

If you have access to your piping system you may use a soap bubbles to test the pipe connection. the leak gas will blow the bubbles if there is leaking. But if your system is out off freon gas, you can not use this method. just try it check the connection first put the bubbles around it.

you will initially have a rotten egg kind of smell aroundthe refrigerator.