A/C Leak Repair Question
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From: Flagstaff, AZ
A/C Leak Repair Question So my a/c has been down, with the compressor not running, so I finally got around to testing it. Discovered that the system has a leak which is located on the bottom of the aluminum piping coming off the evaporator canister. The low system pressure triggered the pressure switch, in turn causing the compressor to not run for self-preservation purposes.
Here's my question: Can I patch the small hole with JB Weld (yes, I know... backwoods and cheap) for the time being? The stuff claims to adhere to aluminum on objects that have a decent amount of expansion and contraction, so I figure why not try until I feel like coughing up the excessive ton of coin necessary to fully repair the system. Any thought or advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm taking the car on a couple trips to rather HOT places the first part of July and I NEED the a/c!
Thanks in advance!!
Here's my question: Can I patch the small hole with JB Weld (yes, I know... backwoods and cheap) for the time being? The stuff claims to adhere to aluminum on objects that have a decent amount of expansion and contraction, so I figure why not try until I feel like coughing up the excessive ton of coin necessary to fully repair the system. Any thought or advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm taking the car on a couple trips to rather HOT places the first part of July and I NEED the a/c!
Thanks in advance!!
DO it right or do it over.
But yeah, if your set on using JB weld, prep the area but sanding it down the cleaning it.
Make sure you pull a vacume for at least 45 min. and make sure it holds vacume for another 25 min afterwards.
Also keep inmind that aluminum will expand and contract as it is heated and cooled wich will in time possibly cause the JB weld to beak loose or crack itself.
Josh
But yeah, if your set on using JB weld, prep the area but sanding it down the cleaning it.
Make sure you pull a vacume for at least 45 min. and make sure it holds vacume for another 25 min afterwards.
Also keep inmind that aluminum will expand and contract as it is heated and cooled wich will in time possibly cause the JB weld to beak loose or crack itself.
Josh
NO!
They make epoxy for residential AC repairs and it's only used on aluminum tube (since it can't be welded). This stuff is WAY stronger than JB Weld and the longest I've ever seen it last was about three days. And it's still intended to be a temp fix.
They make epoxy for residential AC repairs and it's only used on aluminum tube (since it can't be welded). This stuff is WAY stronger than JB Weld and the longest I've ever seen it last was about three days. And it's still intended to be a temp fix.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 86
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From: Sewell,NJ
DO it right or do it over.
But yeah, if your set on using JB weld, prep the area but sanding it down the cleaning it.
Make sure you pull a vacume for at least 45 min. and make sure it holds vacume for another 25 min afterwards.
Also keep inmind that aluminum will expand and contract as it is heated and cooled wich will in time possibly cause the JB weld to beak loose or crack itself.
Josh
But yeah, if your set on using JB weld, prep the area but sanding it down the cleaning it.
Make sure you pull a vacume for at least 45 min. and make sure it holds vacume for another 25 min afterwards.
Also keep inmind that aluminum will expand and contract as it is heated and cooled wich will in time possibly cause the JB weld to beak loose or crack itself.
Josh
Last edited by Crimson; Jun 19, 2008 at 10:17 PM.
You don't use vacuum to check for leak unless you have a micron gauge to measure it. Most people asking if they can JB Weld a refrigerant line do not have a micron gauge. No offense to anyone.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Sewell,NJ
I don't know what I was thinking when I said a vacuum is 15 psia. Never mind that.
What I meant to say was the best proper way of checking a system is to 150psig of dry Nitrogen gas in it and let it sit for an hour. If you can't do this, do not put compressed air from an air compressor in the system you'll just be putting mositure in the lines
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