Oops...made a pinhole in my condensor

[Mikernet]

Hey,

I made a tiiiiny microscopic pinhole leak in my AC condensor while swapping my turbo. I waited for it to decompress and stop leaking, and then JB welded that sucker up (yes, the JB weld will hold the pressure needed...it was a TINY hole, so it won't be a problem).

Was it freon (or whatever the R-1234 gas is called) that was leaking out?

Do I need to "recharge" the system, or will it recompress itself and be alright (I have no idea how AC systems work in a car)?

Do you know what the rough cost of that procedure (if needed) is?

Thanks!

 

[DSM_PWR]

I recommend getting a new one, even JB weld has its limits.

We've JB welded a pinhole on a radiator and it maybe lasted a trip around the block before it started leaking again.

 

[Mikernet]

If the JB weld doesn't hold up (but it will ) then I'll just get a "real" weld in the pinhole spot. The condensor looks maybe a year old, so I don't plan on replacing it. They aren't particularly cheap.

Still looking for an answer to my recharge questions if someone knows!

 

[snowborder714]

I would say get another one as well. A lot of people get rid of their A/C system and no one wants the stuff, so you could probably get it for next to nothing.

Yes, it was most likely R-134 that was leaking out. R-134 is a refrigerant, not freon.

Yes, you will need to recharge the system. Call up your mechanic and see if they can do it. If not, they should be able to tell you who can. Not sure what to tell you about the price, but probably $50-$100, including fully emptying if necessary, testing for leaks, and filling. I haven't gotten a quote in a while though so my price may be a bit off.

 

[Mikernet]

Why get a new one??? I'm becoming quite confused...are you suggesting that a quick weld isn't more than sufficient to repair a small hole in the condensor?

 

[DSM_PWR]

Im pretty sure would let one go for $10, thats what i did

 

[snowborder714]

You can try welding/JB Welding it shut. I'm not saying it won't work. If you want to know, you can always ask the person at the A/C shop what can be done or what they'd recommend doing. Another thing to consider is you might end up with stuff inside your condenser from trying to fix it. And my guess is that thing isn't easy to clean out.

You can always weld/JB Weld it and then take it to get recharged. When they do the leak test there, they should be able to figure out if you fixed it or not.

Also, is it really worth your time/money to try and fix it? Getting another one would most likely be cheaper than having it welded (unless you can do it or have a hook-up). I also let mine go for extremely cheap as I just wanted it out of my garage.

 

[knochgoon24]

Which is cheaper? Buying all the chemicals to refill it just to have it leak out again, or to buy a used one someone's selling for $25 and use that?

 

[Jeff99GS]

JB weld SUCKS...I cannot believe SOO MANY people on here use that crap for everything?!?!?!?!? Its the Ultimate rig job.

IT WILL NOT HOLD.

You can braze the hole shut with a torch or just buy a new one.

 

[Mikernet]

I tend to agree, but I assume there is a way to leak test everything by pressurizing without having to use the actual chemicals. The main problem is that I need to put everything back together and get the car rolling asap, so I either have to:

a) find someone local
b) get it shipped very quickly, or
c) just drive without AC for now and tear everything apart again in a couple weeks, have to flush the coolant again (I'm assuming I have to have the radiator disconnected, but I'm not near my car right now so I can't check), etc.

(a) is unlikely, but I'll look, (b) is possible but not cheap either, and (c) is a pain in my ass. Seems easier to just leak test with pressurized air and then throw in the refrigerant, unless I can make (a) happen.

 

[Mikernet]

haha...I've done amazing things with JB weld

 

[Jeff99GS]

I tend to agree, but I assume there is a way to leak test everything by pressurizing without having to use the actual chemicals. The main problem is that I need to put everything back together and get the car rolling asap, so I either have to:

a) find someone local
b) get it shipped very quickly, or
c) just drive without AC for now and tear everything apart again in a couple weeks, have to flush the coolant again (I'm assuming I have to have the radiator disconnected, but I'm not near my car right now so I can't check), etc.

(a) is unlikely, but I'll look, (b) is possible but not cheap either, and (c) is a pain in my ass. Seems easier to just leak test with pressurized air and then throw in the refrigerant, unless I can make (a) happen.

You're better off going without AC for now...cause JB weld MIGHT hold for a month or 2, but it will eventually fail and leak. Is it really that hot up on ontario right now to need AC haha.

 

[Mikernet]

haha, cold no...but if you have to leave your car outside and leave for work early in the morning, the condensation on the inside of the windows is really bloody annoying. The AC cleans that up real quick.

 

[snowborder714]

There's no need to remove the radiator to remove the condenser.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...53467-how-remove-c-system-2g.html#post1536488

 

[black92_tsi_awd]

I believe that year would have r-12 in it which was taken off the market. You have to get a conversion kit to run the r-134
See here:
R-134a Conversion VFAQ

 

[Mikernet]

I shuddered when I first read your post, but the "conversion" seems like a normal fill procedure...the only difference from what I can tell is that it has "adapters" for the fill nipples...I always thought the R-134 conversion was much more involved.

Ah well...if I don't have to remove the radiator to replace the condensor then perhaps I'll just wait it out till I can find a new one. I guess it depends what the price of this conversion kit is...if its under $50 I'll probably just take the risk with my kickass cold welding skillz haha.

 

[TSG59_Steve]

I just removed my AC and have no need for it. Let me know if the JB weld holds up. Not trying to sell you anything, just looking to help out.

 

[Mikernet]

pm'd