Hello, I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4x4 V8 4.7

I have a problem with my A/C. I have recharged it several times with R-134A and it will work and keep my truck AC running nice and cold for a day or so, then it stops blowing cold air the next day or so. I was wondering if I might have a leak, I am pretty positive I do, just not to sure where, and how I can find out without taking it to the shop and spending alot of money on it.

I was wondering if it might be any of the following?
A A/C Compressor
A/C Evaportator
A/C Hoses
(not sure of the name) its a aluminum cylinder on the back passanger side where your freeon tubes go to.

How can I find out where my freeon is leaking?? I tried the UV DYE and while I was charging it, the hose popped off and got the color everywhere, so its harder to locate the leak.



THANKS any help given is highly appreciated

 

There is an AC leak detection sniffer tool you can buy:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...+leak+detector

It will detect leaks under the hood, but the best way is with the UV dye and a black light. The cylinder on the firewall is the accumulator. Some call it a receiver-drier. If you replace any AC parts it's a good idea to replace the accumulator and the fixed orifice tube. The fixed orifice tube is located inside the AC hose for the high side AC line. It's right by the condenser connection for the line, next to the radiator. I don't know about your 4.7 but on my 3.9 it's on the right side of the engine up next to the air cleaner. Peel off the plastic hose protector tubing and you will see the 2 nuts to unscrew then you can use needle nose pliers to remove the tube and hopefully it won't be stuck in there and it will come out easily. Be sure to have the whole AC system evacuated before you remove any parts or crack the hoses open. The reason for replacing the orifice tube and the accumulator is because when you open up the AC system, moisture gets in it and can contaminate the system. Also if there is a bad AC component it can send debris down into the AC lines.

Jimmy

 

So you just think its probably my accumulator? I'm going to buy a tool to detect the leaks, just for future probelms, or if any my buddies have the same problem, I'll have a tool to check for the problem.

 

The leak detector can help you find the area where the leak is coming from. Then you have to look and inspect that part or area and see if you can find the leak. The detector can show you obvious leaks but the ideal way to check for leaks is with the UV dye and a black light. Without seeing the truck it is hard to say where it is leaking. Usually when you have a leak the AC will cycle a lot more often than it does in normal operation. The leak detector is a handy tool to check your work after you replace any AC components too.

Jimmy

 

Pressureize the system and get a bottle of soapy water and spray any joints or welds. The leaking refrigerant will cause it to bubble and there's your leak. If it all leaks out in a day or two you probably have a size-able leak that you can hear if you listen closely.