[workhc]

has anyone ever submerged a coil in water to look for leak. i removed the coil from plenum, filled with 320 pounds nitrogen. 2 days later had 300 pounds. then submerged in water and 2 days later have small air bubble pop up about onnce every 1 to 2 minutes. dont know if its a tiny leak or what, any suggestions would be helpfull, been in the business 21 years and never tried this.

 

[Dallas Duster]

Probably the best way to visually see a leak works for the guy that fixes my flats.

 

[DavyB]

has anyone ever submerged a coil in water to look for leak. i removed the coil from plenum, filled with 320 pounds nitrogen. 2 days later had 300 pounds. then submerged in water and 2 days later have small air bubble pop up about onnce every 1 to 2 minutes. dont know if its a tiny leak or what, any suggestions would be helpfull, been in the business 21 years and never tried this.

Damn, that's a tiny leak. Interesting method for leak detection too. Seems like it should work pretty well.

 

[airredlands]

Too often, air will get trapped in between the fins and "bubble up" over time. The past few years we have had a lot of success using the yellow dye.

 

[workhc]

Too often, air will get trapped in between the fins and "bubble up" over time. The past few years we have had a lot of success using the yellow dye.

now been 3 days and small bubble keeps popping up in nsame location

 

[mike robinson]

I have checked for leaks in coils for years by doing this just last summer found a leak in acoil by putting it in my swimming pool. You are right about the bubbles but after three days if the bubble keeps comming from the same location then it is a leak.

 

[workhc]

I have checked for leaks in coils for years by doing this just last summer found a leak in acoil by putting it in my swimming pool. You are right about the bubbles but after three days if the bubble keeps comming from the same location then it is a leak.

thought so, have searched entire system replacing shraders, no oil on condenser coil, valve caps tight,solder joints good. in your opinion filling coil with 320 pounds and have it drop 20 pounds in 2 days is too much, but was not sure about 1 bubble every minute or two. thanks for info, much appreciated

 

[SBKold]

I love Spectroline's Dye kit for leaks like these. You can find ALL small leaks in a system quickly and accurately and also the dye is always in there helping you with any future leaks.

 

[dan wong]

has anyone ever submerged a coil in water to look for leak. i removed the coil from plenum, filled with 320 pounds nitrogen. 2 days later had 300 pounds. then submerged in water and 2 days later have small air bubble pop up about onnce every 1 to 2 minutes. dont know if its a tiny leak or what, any suggestions would be helpfull, been in the business 21 years and never tried this.

have done that a few times. Insert a small flat blat blade screw driver next to where the bubble come out, wiggle it a little, if in fact there is a leak, you will see large bubble.

 

[JJDH]

I have heard that some maufacturers dont want the dye used with the r410a???

 

[SBKold]

I have heard that some maufacturers dont want the dye used with the r410a???

The dye I use is approved for POE oil

 

[workhc]

I love Spectroline's Dye kit for leaks like these. You can find ALL small leaks in a system quickly and accurately and also the dye is always in there helping you with any future leaks.

do you need a special light to see the dye

 

[SBKold]

Yes, The light, glasses, injection hose, handle and 2 cartridges of the universal/POE dye comes in a nice kit. Well worth the investment. Much easier than dunking them in the pool!

 

[workhc]

Yes, The light, glasses, injection hose, handle and 2 cartridges of the universal/POE dye comes in a nice kit. Well worth the investment. Much easier than dunking them in the pool!

tried one kind of dye a few years back with the black light and all, did not have much luck, made more of a mess than anything. thanks for the input

 

[SBKold]

No problem... It is something that you will learn little tricks to be very careful with (if you splatter it all over the place than thats no good) injecting it. Once mastered its a useful tool. If I cant pinpoint a leak electronically - - ill inject dye and gas it up and advise cust that I would like to return in 1-3 weeks depending on size of leak. It does help with outdoor units to either cover yourself with a sheet to make it dark or just come by shortly after sunset. Automotive a/c mechanics pretty much use this method as the industry standard. With a little practice it something that wil benefit you time and time again.

 

[workhc]

No problem... It is something that you will learn little tricks to be very careful with (if you splatter it all over the place than thats no good) injecting it. Once mastered its a useful tool. If I cant pinpoint a leak electronically - - ill inject dye and gas it up and advise cust that I would like to return in 1-3 weeks depending on size of leak. It does help with outdoor units to either cover yourself with a sheet to make it dark or just come by shortly after sunset. Automotive a/c mechanics pretty much use this method as the industry standard. With a little practice it something that wil benefit you time and time again.

i see you are in florida, is that heat pump land down there, im in illinois, and colder than crap right now, wind blowin and snowing. have installed about 6 hybrid systems in my area, anything like that down there.

 

[SBKold]

Yep it was 70 deg here today....its 50 now! It did get colder than it has in a long time....down to 15 or so. Yes mostly were are heat Pumps (id say 60%) - nat gas furnaces...30% dual fuel, straight elec, and 1 0r 2 old oil fire make up the rest. I have done one or two dual fuel systems....I love them and want one for my own home...but there not as popular as they are where the winters are longer.

 

[jpsmith1cm]

I've done it.

Same type of result. One small leaker, but it was the fastest way to find it.

 

[Stamas]

Lots of techniques for finding leaks. Squirt that in and leave? Why not use some skill?

 

[SBKold]

Thats not how I use it......I have a very trusty old school GE bag Electronic Scanner first for r22. If I cannot pinpoint the leak (even by putting the coil under hi head if its a heat pump. I will recharge with refrigerant and dye and will return to scan with the UV light.