Refrigerant gas leak detection, location, & repair questions & answers.

FAQs on Refrigeration Gas Leak Detection in air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, along with tips for Using the TIF 5000 halogen leak detector.

This article series describes refrigerant gas leak detector tools and the methods used to find refrigerant gas leaks such as Freon leaks and other halogen gas leaks. We also discuss where refrigerant leaks most often occur.

Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair FAQs

These questions and answers about finding and fixing refrigerant gas leaks at air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigeration equipment etc. were posted originally at x. Be sure to review the leak detection equipment and methods discussed there.

As we explain in our articles on lost cooling capacity or air conditioning systems or heat pumps that are not working, a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner or heat pump means that eventually it will just not produce cool air (during air conditioning) nor warm air (during heating if it's also a heat pump).

Carson Dunlop Associates' sketch (left) illustrates some of the common areas where vibration or other stresses or damage are often the cause of leaks in refrigerant piping at a home air conditioner or heat pump.

On 2016-03-08 by (mod) - leaks caused by rubbing refrigerant pipes

Dorothy

I am guessing that the repair tech mean that a leak was caused by one refrigerant pipe rubbing onto another causing a leak. Certainly just running pipes near one another, not touching, wouldn't cause a leak.

I agree with your repair tech that the proper repair is to find and fix the leak (implied by his or her comment). Just adding refrigerant is a poor practice that means it'll keep leaking, contaminating the environment, and wasting money.

The manufacturer is not going to accept responsibilty for a refrigerant leak that occurred because of how piping was installed.

On 2016-03-08 by Dorothy Forbes

compressor losing refrigerent. Repairman said it problem was caused by two pipes being too cloese together. Bill is close to $800.00
Shouldn't mfg help with cost?

On 2015-12-06 by (mod) -

Satya

The technician installs equipment to remove the old refrigerant, pull a vacuum on the system, and then the system is left in that state for a period (some use 24 hours) with a gauge to check for evidence of a leak anywhere (the vacuum level will drop).

If there is no leak, the tech may purge the system with nitrogen, then install the measured quantity of refrigerant.

Proper procedure includes installation of one or two filter dryer canisters to remove any small amounts of moisture or un-wanted oil in the refrigerant lines.

On 2015-12-06 by satya

How the cleaning process is done before the gas is filled in the piping system?

On 2015-11-17 0 by (mod) - $2,500 just to regcharge refrigerant?

KW

I am baffled about how your cooling system would continue to run when turned off - that sounds like a failed power switch and a very dangerous situation. Turn OFF the equipment at the breaker or fuse panel.

Charging $2500. to re-charge a unit would be rather questionablein my OPINION - about five or ten times what I'd figure but then I don't know what work the tech has decided is needed. Ask for a detailed estimate and get some comparison estimates. Replacing wiring doesn't normally have much to do with a refrigerant leak.

On 2015-11-16 by KW

Continues to run when turned off and doesn't cool. Guy added gas but cooling didn't last long. He said I have a leak and has trouble locating it. Wants to replace wiring in ceiling for AC and s charging $2500. Is this overcharge?

On 2015-11-16 by Anonymous

My AC wasn't cooling and continues to run even when turned off.

On 2013-01-29 by Anonymous

IFYOU ON A REFRIGERATOR & THERE IS NO HEAT ON THE HIGH SIDE, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

On 2012-12-19 by wayne

same problem as Matt, Goodman unit 1996, has a leak, had repair out and he opened valve which produced hissing noise,I said must have some pressure and he didnt do a pressure check.said too old and R22 too expensive and not readily available.since then went online ecofreeze has a replacement,

should i try to find a repair person with accesss to ecofreeze product and get them to do leak check and then top up with ecofreeze, repair guy sent sales guy who wants to rip out old and redo duct work.

On 2012-12-16 by (mod) -

Or from any refrigerant tubing or coil nearby.

Lewis,

Not usually, but yes for sure. The can can be damaged or the welded tubing connectors bent and cracked.

On 2012-12-16 by Lewis Irby

Dan Joe, If the leak is on the pad, it must be coming from the coil or near compressor. Can a leak come from the sealed compressor ??

On 2012-12-14 by (mod) - The fact that the tech didn't find the leak does not mean there is not one.

Lewis,
The fact that the tech didn't find the leak does not mean there is not one. Obviously there is a leak from the oilmit may be at or near the compressor.

Replacing the unit may be appropriate if the lak were rrqced to a defective major part like the compressor can. But if leak is in piping, replacing parts is not a fix.

IF the refrigeration charging was done correctly, then the leak issue is not itself an argument for contamination.

Contact Carier and ask for technical help from an expert.

On 2012-12-14 by Lewis Irby

April 2012 , New infinity carrier system installed 2 phase. 6 months later there is a large oil leak on HVAC pad. Tech noted 10/19 added 7 lbs puron could not detect leak. Tech comes back 12/13 unit lost 15 lbs puron.could not detect leak.

Evacuated system to 29.8 30 min. held at 29 pressurized with nitrogen for isolation test @350 psi - 296 will follow in 5 days. Is entire system contaminated and should carrier be asked to replace entire system evap coil and unit?( Gas furnace ) Thanks

On 2012-08-04 15:11:18.578679 by (mod) -

Maria, it sounds as if you are describing condensation on a cool or cold refrigeration line pipe - it'd be better if it were insulated, both for system operating efficiency and to avoid condensate leaks into the wall or onto the floor where damage may ensue.

On 2012-07-31 by Maria

Im not sure what brand of central AC we have - there is a pipe that runs from the unit to the wall that goes into the house is exposed / the foam cover is old. The pipe sweats, is that okay?

On 2012-07-19 by (mod) - too old to repair a refrigerant leak?

Matt I have sympathy for both sides of your point; it's often a nightmare trying to work on 16 year old equipment - everything you touch turns to crud and the bill climbs and the client is angry and thinks you're gouging them.

On an old system there are issues about which refrigerant gas is used too.

On the other hand, I've seen A/C units still chugging along after 20 years, so if it were "just a little problem" you'd think the equipment could be inspected and repaired. But still no one wants to touch them, as I explained above.

You certainly should call a few service companies, tell them up front you've got old equipment, ask if they are willing to give it a try, make CLEAR that you will understand if the tech finds that the ultimate repair costs are likely to be so high that replacement is in order.

On 2012-07-16 by Matt

My AC unit is leaking freon. It was manufactured in 1996. I called a tech out here in Indiana, and he just wanted to charge me 3-4 grand for a new system without me even knowing what the system looks like, or even looking at my current system.

He just looked at the manufactured date, and said it was too old to repair. So my question is, how can I find a tech who will attempt to repair the leak, instead of just wanting to charge me for a brand new system?

On 2011-11-28 by (mod) -

Ted it sounds as if you're on a better course. Indeed the coil cracking you describe is not a problem of which we've received many reports. One wonders if there was either a manufacturing defect or a system installation or adjustment problem that caused vibration that in turn damaged the coil.

It's interesting and not quite so common to see an HVAC installer go with obsolete R22 equipment. Perhaps s/he plans to use one of the newer substitute refrigerants intended to replace R22?

On 2011-09-09 by Ted

As an update, I've found a new R22, 3ton unit for less than a grand that I am going to ask my contractor to buy and hook up to my existing system and evap coil.

On 2011-09-09 by (mod) -

Anon, SOP would be for the HVACR tech to check that it's lost refrigerant that's the concern, possibly pull a vacuum to clean the system, find and fix the leak if it's repairable, and recharge the system. Just how big the repair costs would go depend in part on just what's leaking and where.

For example a low side leak can contaminate the system and require more careful cleanout; a leaky cooling or condensing coil may not be repairable and could need replacement.

Ted: thanks for the follow-up. As long as the new components match appropriately you should be ok.

On 2011-09-08 by Ted

The tech confirmed my suspicions and said the entire coil cracked inside the condenser, along the manifold. He said hes only seen it once before. He said since its a 2003 Carrier unit it would be just as expensive to replace the whole system than the condenser coil. Quoted me about $7K for a new RUUD 3ton 13 SEER system. We would keep my original Carrier furnace/blower unit.

On 2011-09-07 by Anonymous

Since my cooling capacity is basically 0, I am assuming I lost most or all of the refrigerant and the leak is pretty bad. I guess it depends where the leak is, but can these things be repaired/recharged on the spot or am I going to be stuck with a giant replacement bill? I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.

On 2011-09-07 by (mod) -

Ted

because the A/C compressor often relies on an oil lubricant that can travel in refrigerant lines, a visible oil leak or even smudges and accumlulating dirt (in an oil spot) on the equipment piping and fittings can be an indicator of a refrigerant leak.

So you're right, it could be refrigerant oil.

I'd prefer that the tech find and fix the leak, not just add refrigerant. Most likely the quantity of oil that has leaked out won't itself be a problem for the compressor.

keep us posted.

On 2011-09-07 by Ted

Hello, yesterday I ran my AC and the air coming out of the registers was not cool.

I ran it for about 2 hours thinking it would improve, but it did not. I went outside to see if I could spot the problem on the condenser/compressor unit. I didn't see anything at first, but when I placed my hand on the top of the unit so that I could lean over and look at the refrigerant lines, my hand slipped in the oily sheen that had accumulated there.

My first thought was a refrigerant leak, but I didn't expect that to be oily... could it be compressor oil? I'm not sure how bad this problem is, but it is HOT in southern california right now. I'm having a technician come out tomorrow morning, but would rather not get swindled. Any ideas?

On 2011-09-07 by (mod) -

Doug my experience is with the TIF 5000; I'm not sure what other units you're looking at; I'd compare the technology used, the ease of changing the sensor tip when needed, and the specification on sensitivity range to be sure the instrument will do what you want.

Particularly around an automobile engine which will doubtless have to be tested with the engine running, the blower fan and other conditions may cause so much air movement around the engine that use of a gas detector may be limited. I suspect that's why some automotive techs rely on visual inspection for refrigerant oil leaks and on gauge sets.

On 2011-09-06 by Doug

Dan,
I was thinking about buying a leak detector for casual use around my 2 cars and 3 home ACs. I see there are a lot of detectors available below the $100 threshold on eBay and HVAC retailers on the web. Do you have any experience with the low cost models. This is for my personal use only, so I can put up with a lot of things that a pro wouldn't. It does have to work though, and detect reasonably small leaks.

On 2011-09-01 by (mod) -

James repairing refrigerant leaks is not something a homeowner can do; even if the leak could be easily mechanically repaired, say by soldering, an HVAC tech is needed to re-charge the system, and depending on where the leak was occurring, more detailed system cleaning may be needed as well as the installation of a filter/dryer.

On 2011-08-20 by james capps

can i repair a small hole in th coil or would i have to replace the cooling coil, it has been
recharged , but repair man said have to replace ,can't repair the insde coil. its the one one top of furnace,,, trane unit.

On 2011-08-20 by Austin

We have an 8 year old Amana refrigerator model AB222ZDES that stopped cooling frig and freezer although the motor still runs.

Repairman said it had a freon leak, put in more freon, said it was on the low side and the freon could last between 6 months and 2 years. 2 days after he came, it stopped cooling.

We are being told we have buy a new refrigerator rather than repair this one.

Can we find the leak ourselves and then replace the part that is leaking? Compressor, etc.?

On 2011-08-19 by sheila

where can I buy the black light to check for leaks under my crawl space, the dye has already been put in.

On 2011-07-28 by (mod) -

AK: that sounds like a misunderstanding to me: there is no conventional, refrigerant based residential air conditioning system that would use 36 gallons of refrigerant. Maybe a water-cooled system in Arizona but not a refrigerant liquid charge.

If the refrigerant piping had a hole (and of course that hole would usually be found and repaired without replacing the entire line) you'd certainly lose refrigerant - all of it. If the tech wants to replace the line, I'd ask why.

If the piping was mechanically damaged in one spot that can usually be soldered or a section cut out and new section soldered in and the system evacuated, cleaned, and re-charged. If the entire piping was badly corroded and there was the expectation of multiple leaks, I'd agree the line needs replacement.

You might want to get a 2nd opinion on what's needed and on repair costs.

On 2011-07-2 by AK

I just got an AC guy up to look my system over...and he says he had to put 36 gallons of coolant into this 2 year old system. I was not there to talk to the repair guy...but was told that he says that perhaps when the roofing guys were replacing the roof, that they shot a hole through the line.

Would that not have been easy for him to go look at and see? Wouldn't there have been only one place where "the line" met the roof line for this roof meets A/C event? He quoted $1000 to replace "the line"....seems like lines can be fixed, and don't necessarily need to be replaced. Any thoughts on 1) his guess at what happened and 2) his suggestion/price for making the system function properly?

On 2011-07-24 by (mod) -

Window air conditioner turning blue? What components are blue? Certainly some color changes at the compressor unit and refrigerator piping could be an indication of overheating.

On 2011-07-23 by k smith

gabriele u spent the right amount sounds cheap to me

On 2011-07-23 by papasofalbany@verizon.com

the outside of our window unit is turning blue

On 2011-07-09 by gabriele regan

my ac guys charged me $300 for removing the line dryer .
supposedly they put in 4 pounds of freon. i did not even have air for 6/24 hour days.

job description: checked system and found it out of freon.
pressurized system with nitrogen to find leak.

found leak at liquid line dryer.
removed dryer evacuated system and recharged with freon.

can an AC guy please tell me if i have been taken for a ride by this company?
thanks G regan

On 2011-06-16 by (mod) -

Where to buy a TIF 5000 gas detector:

TIF Instruments, Inc., 9101 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33150
or
Air conditioning and heat pump or refrigeration equipment suppliers (there is probably a local one near you who sells the TIF 5000 retail)
or
Home inspection equipment suppliers

On 2011-06-09 by olu

where to get tif5000

...

Continue reading  at REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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