Many techs don't bother to actually find/fix the leak.. My friend Matt is the best at finding leaks.. even w/o dye,, feel for oil is a very good start.

I like how you gave the customer options and didn't judge him on what he chose. I need to find an independent contractor because these company guys are driven to force service contracts and high end equipment down your throat at every given opportunity. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a guy like you.

I use Fieldpiece's DR82 Infrared Leak Detector. It's freakin awesome! I do a 3-hits-it's-a-leak check, but I really don't have to; if it goes off, there's a leak (or I accidentally bumped the tip on something). Probably the greatest feature about this particular leak detector is the fact that it gives you three signs to let you know that there is a leak: there's the audible sound, the flashing of the tip, and a vibration throughout the leak detector itself. That's awesome! So it doesn't matter if you're blind, deaf, or dumb, you will find a leak if there is one!

Inficon ❤ I have used them for detecting vacuum leaks with heium for decades 😊 They make high quality instruments!

“Three dead mice…three dead mice…see how they spin around the blower motor.” 🎶 😂

Heated diode testo 316-3, dr82 for infrared and accutrak for ultrasonic is my loadout, mainly used the testo until i got the other 2, very excited for the accutrak

Good video ! But Here’s some tips from a Guy doing it for 42 Years. 1) if System has at least 1lb of liquid refrigerant in it. ( 410a systems ) Just pull the disconnect. Wait 5 min for system to equalize. Equalized pressures on 410a system at 60 degrees outside with liquid in it will be 170Psig. Higher if its hotter out. See pt chart. 170 is plenty to find a leak with a H10-leak detector or any decent leak detector. 2) Most Leaks are in evaps. 75% of the time. Start there first. 3) Rarely have i needed to pressure test over 150 psi to find a Leak with a Ge H10 leak detector.

You are the best teacher on here! I’ve been thinking about going to school for my H-Vac license. Texas is so hot during the summers! I liked & subscribed!

If I can't find a residential leak with an electronic & sonic leak detector within 30-40 minutes , I like to add fluorescent dye while I add refrigerant. This provides comfort cooling until we can reschedule the leak inspection, and let the dye have time to show up After 35 yrs in residential, if I can't find the leak in a half hour or so on most units, then I know it is going to be a tricky one. The uv dye really helps to pinpoint the problem. Owner operators.. Remember, dye is a tool to help you. You dont need to make a fortune on the dye. Be fair to your customers. You will earn a fair profit during the repair or replacement of the coil.

H10Pro by Bacharach for leak detectors. Always check the service port caps with electronic before getting the gauges out of the truck and before touching the caps.

Excellent work! Thanks for a better understanding on the process. I love learning more and more about my trade.

CPS leak detector is the best. We had a leak on the R114 plant and it was like chasing a ghost. We put soap on the area and it took about five minutes and the bubbles were so small it looked like shaving cream. That's how small the leak was.

I use accu trak ultrasonic. I have used it for a little over 10 years. Works great. It is not a sniffer. Sniffer will go off with anything that burns.

"I will keep you cool if you let me!" ..clever tag line earned my sub.

The common census for leak checking is to raise the pressure no higher than the highest rating on the low side. Its to avoid damaging the internals of the system.

Great information. Just ordered Webb Coil Cleaner from Lowes.

About to get the popcorn. Wondering where this leak is!

when it leaks fast condenser side. when it leaks slow evaporator side.but it all depends on the size of the hole.

Three dead mice would be a great name for rock band.

Excellent information in this video! Man I appreciate that for people like me that watches KZfaq to learn for homeowner use . Subscribed

Is there anyone cool and honest like you in San Diego?

I feel for the home owner... but the best thing to do is have some window units ready... 3 units are more than enough to keep you comfortable enough when SHTF with the main AC. they cost $150 each. Then with an older system, especially one approaching 20 years... just get the full install. else with and older system you may find yourself spending more money over the long term vs a new system plus the inconvenience (they always break on a Friday afternoon ) constantly fixing issues as its dies. At least you can get a warranty on installation and equipment that will cover you for a year or more. I also recommend insisting they inject UV dye into the system upon installation or even service. that way its easier to find the leak should one creep up at any point due to installation errors or aging.

AC guy found our 2008 out of warranty system was out of old type refrigerant. Checked outside unit, no leaks. Plans to check for leaks on inside unit, weld leak if doable, install "stop leak", and new type refrigerant. If systems loses refrigerant, he will deduct charges from total price for new inside unit (or replacement coil) . I was told that old type refrigerant is very expensive, new type is about 95% effective in cooling.

I use the Testo 316-4 for R410a systems and the Testo 316-3 for R22, but the Inficon Tek Mate is also great option for r-22 systems ( I also have a Inficon tek mate). The Testo 316-4 is probably the most sensitive electronic leak detector I’ve used for r410a.. and I’ve can’t even start to tell you how many electronic leak detectors bought then sold trying to find a good model. Do a Search for NathanHVAC electronic leak detector sensitivity test. He has tested most of the leak detectors I’ve purchased. He has made spreadsheet of the leak detectors and their sensitivity for R22 and R410a refrigerants. I’m trying out Ultrasonic refrigerant leak detector this spring/summer to see if that can help pin point small leak’s faster.

wow infocon ive had one but long since replaced by H 10 & cant remember the other brand but its called the leak seeker & 500 max nitro id guess ....i usually do 350 max 145 on old R 22 coils w/ trace Refrigerant with bird dog 1 st then bubbles to pin point ..Thanks as always

If it's a large leak in an air conditioning system it's usually on the high side of the system To check the condenser hook up your high side and low tide gauges turn off the power remove the condenser fan motor from the top of the unit Turn the unit power back on checking the high side pressure with condenser fan motor not working the high side pressure will increase to a point where you might be able to locate the week much easier Do not exceed momentarily 400 PSI Turn off the power check With an electronic leak detector You can also use an UltraViolet leak detector After injecting and allowing the fluid to circulate throughout the system One other method is using nitrogen to build up the pressure to see if we could find a slow leak using a Ultra Violet leak detector after injected fluid All these methods MUST only be performed by specially trained air conditioning service technicians with years of experience Absolutely no homeowners should ever attempt these leak detection procedures which could cause permanent bodily injury or possible death Leave it to the professionals

I would not recommend to anyone to go 500psi on a leak test. I, like Oc have been doing it a long time. Never pressure tested that high, even on the commercial side of things. Can get dangerous. Usually there are operating max pressures listed, I would not exceed those. There is a leak detector that works via sound. I had one of those as well, no matter how small the leak, it would sound like a hurricane in your ears. Nice vid.

Very informative! Thanks!

Question from a non-pro: are the leaks always at the coils and not on the run of copper somewhere else (like that one going through a brick wall)? I've got a no-cool situation and I'm thinking a leak somewhere. Great vid and awesome to see an honest tech!

I am just doing some research to learn more. My techs are taking 4 hours to do a leak check after putting dye in the week before :)

I like you 🤝 i like the way explain..am a on hands Learner.but i really like this video thank you

I was never offered the opportunity to do a leak test quite frankly, wasn’t even aware of that possibility. Pumped 5 pounds of gas Into the unit and the unit failed within six months

Great video! I feel like people are scheming us and we live in Florida and our AC unit broke 3 times in the last year and we got it new last year. Weird

I use the yellow jacket infrared leak detector works great

How many clowns just fill up your freon and try to sell you a new unit when it all leaks out again?

Hey, Tad. I use the yellow jacket sniffer. But I also use the Superior Accu Track ultrasonic leak detector. You could have heard those mice fart before they died.

You have a bow tie in your mustache.

Can you pressurized it and put the smoke that they use to troubleshoot EVAP systems in cars?

3 dead mice, see how they run. lol I have to give it to you. It’s hard to scam people when you video yourself working. I hope you become a millionaire doing your job. Good for you young man. It’s really nice to see honest workers in 2024. Thanks

I being hearing good things about the inferred leak detector

costs to do an full fledged leak search vary depends how far we have to go to isolate Coil from line set to outdoor unit but can get quite costly quick ...depends but its the only way to find , fix or replace the correct component

My man’s got a bow tie on his lip!

Dye is Best! Hands Down.

Great video very Informative And very easy for Me the weekend warrior to follow

Great info. Its a shame when you have guys add more freon and try to sell it to the customer knowing there is a leak. Smh

Great video. Thank for sharing your knowledge and skills. Im subscribed.

Most refrigerant leak detectors are incredibly sensitive. If you add any refrigerant you should always do a leak search. A basic leak search only takes 10-15 minutes to make sure you don’t have a good size leak. You don’t have to reclaim the gas and add nitrogen, the refrigerant is the gas you are looking for, and soap bubbles will also blow bubbles regardless if there is nitrogen, as long as there is pressure, don’t complicate it. You can’t give the customer the choice you are supposed to make as a trained technician when it’s such a simple move and avoids callbacks

Hi. What are the resons if frequently happen leakage in condenser coil bends

nice job tad, what do youcharge for a leak survey? also if a mouse works its way into the main blower squirrel cage it will sound like thunder in your duct work. simply remove and clear sailing.

Great job Tadd!

safety first. safety meetings every 10 business days

500psiig...bro it will not break the system?

How much do you charge for a new evap coil? Here in California it's about $4,500 to replace an evap coil. If it's under warranty, it's about $2,000. Some hvac companies don't even check to see if it's under warranty. I've done two evap coils under warranty this year as a second opinion. The first two companies diagnosed bad evap coils and never checked to see if they were under warranty and quoted the customer about $4,500.

Bow tie.... mustache?!!! 😂 too cute!!! 😊😊

thanks for the vid Tad !

Can u do a video on superheat and subcooling, i know everyone tells people to only check subcooling, which if the system is installed properly the txv will hold the superheat to what it is suppose to be, but alot of the time it's not and superheat is usually way low.

You guys have so much tool to do the job i don't have a leak detector eater nitrogen no access to those when i am doing my small ac work back home i have to use air from compressor and bubble but still get my job done 👍

look for oil on the tubing

Nice work!

Another great, helpful video! Very nice 👍🏽, very mice 🐁

tell us about the stop leak additives.

Great quality content. Keep it coming!

I'm at 2:20 in the video. Does this hold true for vehicle A/C's? (slow leaks = low pressure side and fast leaks =high pressure side? Thanks for the video!

Great video, my question is if the condenser is grounding out at start up and burning out the fuse do I need to replace the condenser

500 PSI! The most I ever use is 300 psi for R410A and 150 psi for R22.

Why did you pressurized it and put the smoke that they use to troubleshoot EVAP systems in cars?

I use the same detector that you have and maybe it would have found the leak if you had used it.

You have some good prices 😮

I have had hit or miss with Electronics. It often goes off (all brands) if its near water in the pan , My Inficon goes off in light wind, My field piece just goes off because field piece. lol I almost always have better luck with Nitro and visual with soap bubbles.

I’ve been using the same leak detector. Had to replace the battery and sensor. Other than that, it’s been a great detector! I’ve also use a H10. A little expensive but what isnt these days?!

is goodman heat pump GSZB404210A good for 2014 mobile home? in amarillo texas , r19 walls, r25 roof, r 30 floor, singal pan widows, 1216 sqft home. not air tight it has leaks. temps below 20 is like 8 days during heating seanson. i set termostat to 74 f and am using electric furnace 10 kwh for 108 hours a month. my electric rate is 0.097 kwh. the highest bill to have was 250 but that is from whole home usage. the goodman heat pump says it uses 2.9 kwh at 10 f with a COP of 2.08 and a 2.7 kwh with COP of 1.34 at -5 f. the price for the 5 ton a-coil and 3.5 heat pump is $4,876. i can get 30% off that price on rebate then it whould be $3,413.235 also, why whould tech go with mortex 5 ton a-coil and 3.5 heat pump. thanks for help.

I'm having this same exact problem with my ac. Guy came out couple years ago and replaced the fan thing on the inside unit and said that would fix our problem. The system will not hold refrigerant. The line constantly freezes up. Definitely don't have $$ for a brand new system. Just need an honest trustworthy HVAC person to look at it and find the leak and tell me if it can be fixed. I'm in Virginia about 50 miles south of DC and 50 miles north of Richmond if you know of anyone in the area you can recommend.

Great video .

Homeowner must have picked the platinum package, all that he took loose

The cost of these has become ridiculous. Older people on a budgeted income can not afford it. I know people that just suffer instead. It's deplorable. There should be a better and easier plug and play replacement by now.

I use dish soap water paint brushes and spray bottle, the leak detector gives me a general idea of the leak is.

Taddy digest have you ever worked on farm equipment ac units I’m a mechanic an have been fighting with one of are equipments ac units I’ve done replaced an fixed where the leak was but it still is leaking down can you help us out

I joined. Like your videos very thorough .

You only put the max on what the system tells you #tag . Especially if you putting nitro on the low side if low side says max250psi you put 250psi

Thank you ted

why does it leak? why does the metal tube rupture? what is the cause? was it built with a leak?

What about the charred wires ?

I have a system from the mid 90s that hasnt run in a few years due to a leak and the refrigerant being super expensive. can a system like that be repaired and retrofitted? or would it be a wash in cost and better to just update?

If my condenser is 14 years old you think it’s better to just replace it?

Put your finger in there and see if theres some oil in there lmao classic 😅

How much does it cost to do the leak test at your home? For me they r charging 950 dollars plus tax just for the leak test with a dye.

I live in an apartment and they come fill it with Freon or whatever. Works great and lasts about 3 weeks then goes back to hot. After watching how hard it is to find I guarantee the maintenance crew is not going to do all that extra work. What should I do

What does it mean when the copper tubing, the one inside by the unit is warm to the touch, even the copper outside?

I don't need A/C, I just open all the windows, and sleep like a baby. Just saved me a ton of money.

the 3 blind mice met their doom 😂

I bought a brand new construction home and closed Jan 2022. Yesterday the A/C company who installed the central air came last night at 7pm and BAM, The tech says there is a small Freon leak but couldn’t find it. So he charged me $144 for the service call and $188.50 for 2.5lbs of Freon. He told me his office will call me back. Today they call me and she tells me it will cost me $257 for the leak check and probably more for Freon. So I’m like WTF! STRADA installed all of this and now I am on the hook for this leak and the house is only 2 years old and they installed all of this! WOW.

😮 damn mans a pro

Tad is solid

H10 with the long probe

Mice?? Yuck!! Great job on this system by you!!

Thanks for the tip 👍

Technician said had freon leak! On evaporator! $. Ouch! He put leak seal! Looked like a syringe. What are you thought on leak seal. After a month, failed to cool again!

Great video !

Hey Tad. What's the 1 to 98 countdown when the wind free units shut off after cooling?

Guys here tried to charge me over $1500 just to put $75 leak sealant in, so I got my 608 very and work on my system myself.