DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 OK, here's the facts. We had two working window a/c units, and bought a third when we bought the new home. The latest was one of those indoor floor models and it blew out in less then two weeks. That one was exchanged for a third window unit. In the past three weeks, both of our a few years old window units started spewing freon. Side note: WTF! Who has three a/c units die in three weeks? Some bad mojo going on! So, to my question, how do I check for a leak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpaul Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Are you sure they are leaking Freon? You stated spewing Freon, do you see this, if so there's your leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Yes I saw it. Freon has a very distinct smell, and they were spewing a white noxious mist from the vents areas. I know it's a freon leak, but I am asking how to look where it's coming from so I can try to fix it on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmp209 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Out of curiosity how do you plan to repair said leak and recharge system?Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 If I knew how to or if it can be done I wouldn't be asking if there was a way fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmp209 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 It probably is repairable but in my opinion wouldn't be worth it if you don't have the equipment needed to do itSent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmp209 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Generally leaks are repaired by brazing with a torch then the system needs to be drawn into a vacuum with a vacuum pump and then the refrigerant should be weighed back in. All the equipment would cost way more than a new oneSent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Thank you for the replies Jmp209. I will just replace it next year. For the rest of this summer in the back of the house it will be the ceiling fan and some floor fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpaul Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 To properly repair a Freon leak, after you find it you would have to evacuate the system with a reclaimer, fix the leak, put the system in a 30 inch vacuum and recharge. To find the leak you can listen for it, use soap bubbles, or use a commercial leak detector. Sometimes you'll see oil where the leak is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpaul Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Do these units still get cold when they are running or are they just blowing warm air? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 On 7/26/2016 at 1:19 AM, bigpaul said: Do these units still get cold when they are running or are they just blowing warm air? Expand They still blow cool air, but emit a white mist that smells like freon from the vents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmp209 Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 On 7/26/2016 at 1:17 AM, ....rob said: Thank you for the replies Jmp209. I will just replace it next year. For the rest of this summer in the back of the house it will be the ceiling fan and some floor fans.Yea unfortunately it's a throwaway society, it's easier and cheaper to replace most appliances instead of repairing themSent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpaul Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 These units only hold a pound or 2 of Freon. I'm assuming they are R-22 Freon, which is hard to smell unless you get a large dose of it. If the leak was that big all the gas would be out of the system and not cool at all. I know I'm not there to observe the fog and smell, but I'm thinking it's not a Freon leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grampy Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Don't want to sound dumb but could the unit be freezing up? I've had them freeze and spit out a kind of icy mist along with a smell. Just turned the unit to fan and let it de-ice for awhile and then was fine. Not sure that is your problem though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 On 7/26/2016 at 1:32 AM, grampy said: Don't want to sound dumb but could the unit be freezing up? I've had them freeze and spit out a kind of icy mist along with a smell. Just turned the unit to fan and let it de-ice for awhile and then was fine. Not sure that is your problem though. Expand I will give that a try tomorrow. I really hoped it was the rain causing it, but it wasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpaul Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Make sure your air filter is clean. If I remember right, I believe you are in a new house. If so the units might be to small for the area you are trying to cool, which would cause the units to ice up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 It's a mobile home. Just under 1000 square feet. All of them had sensors for the the filter, but I still just cleaned them every few days. I will try the fan method tomorrow. See if that helps. I really was just hoping to be able to repair something rather then replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grampy Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Also be sure to have it tipped back enough to drain the water from condensation. Otherwise the fan spins in a puddle of water wich can cause other problems. I've had a few AC problems over the years too! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 On 7/26/2016 at 2:00 AM, grampy said: Also be sure to have it tipped back enough to drain the water from condensation. Otherwise the fan spins in a puddle of water wich can cause other problems. I've had a few AC problems over the years too! Expand Both are tipped back. Learned that a long time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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