refrigerant leaks

[sumotan]

Hi Guys,
Does refrigerant leaks if car is ony driven once a week ? I top up refrigerant about 6 months
ago when the AC suddenly didn't feel cold & now its happening again. Me kind of suspect there's a tiny leak somewhere.

Many thanks

 

[B21]

That frequency of use should be more than adequate for continuity purposes..BMW doesn’t specify any such constraints..sounds like you have a leak..sadly..

 

[sumotan]

Thanks B21

 

[obewan]

Something like this will help you find any leaks - rather than keep topping up with expensive refrigerant

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234598846300?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A10b-wlCpARnGDnBdHsE46iA22&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=234598846300&targetid=1816181028179&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046723&poi=&campaignid=19090194174&mkgroupid=147009364227&rlsatarget=pla-1816181028179&abcId=9303860&merchantid=113742905&gclid=CjwKCAjwpJWoBhA8EiwAHZFzfi0fHLkEU0ci7UeayHhRIPzp5ASXuXksbPQ7A1HRPFTsEVSlyCS5JhoCPC8QAvD_BwE

 

[axelleveau]

Something like this will help you find any leaks - rather than keep topping up with expensive refrigerant

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234598846300?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A10b-wlCpARnGDnBdHsE46iA22&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=234598846300&targetid=1816181028179&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046723&poi=&campaignid=19090194174&mkgroupid=147009364227&rlsatarget=pla-1816181028179&abcId=9303860&merchantid=113742905&gclid=CjwKCAjwpJWoBhA8EiwAHZFzfi0fHLkEU0ci7UeayHhRIPzp5ASXuXksbPQ7A1HRPFTsEVSlyCS5JhoCPC8QAvD_BwE

How would you introduce that in the refrigerant circuit? I personally would not take the risk to put that in there, fuel is a one thing but refrigerant is designed to stay in there, go in a loop for years and get compressed, condense and evaporate...

 

[obewan]

Not sure how it goes in, but that’s what the garages do around here to find the leak.
Also in the text of the item it says it’s safe to leave in.
It’s only 10ml of dye
I used it many moons ago when I worked in Non Destructive Testing, believe me a little goes a long way and gets everywhere

 

[Pondrew]

How would you introduce that in the refrigerant circuit?

You can't! Not without recovering the remaining refrigerant (it is illegal to vent it to the atmosphere) and mixing it in with dry Nitrogen when pressure testing.

As a refrigeration engineer I would advise anyone not to 'mess' with their a/c circuit. It is potentially very dangerous and is also against the law unless you are qualified to do so. You could also cause serious damage if you introduce air into the system.

Take it to a garage/ someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[sumotan]

Thanks Guys