Repair and Charge Cruise Air

[ontariojeff]

Hello,

I have two cruise air systems and both seem to be loosing coolant.
I think the leak may be out of the pressure fittings.

I have seen a product that claims to be some sort of "stop leak" fluid. and another product to locate or "smell" for leaks.
I am thinking of soldering or fixing the leaks and then re charging the system.
R22? and some gauges.

Any advise on how to go about this?

Thanks.

[km1125]

Don't use a stop-leak. There are electronic detectors that you can get (link below) that will 'sniff' to help you locate the actual leak. Then you can determine if it's actually repairable with solder or even perhaps just cleaning and tightening the fitting.

Is it R-22?? That's starting to get pretty expensive.

[tomschauer]

Do not use a stop leak. It will cause more problems than it will repair.
You can use a refrigerant leak detector as mentioned, or simple soap bubbles are usually the best. You need to find the leak, recover the r-22, purge nitrogen through the system while you braze the leak (if its repairable), then evacuate the system and charge the new r-22 by weight.

Before you do all that what makes you think your systems are leaking?

[ontariojeff]

Thanks for the replies,

I had the larger one filled $350 and the smaller one $450 !!
they lasted less than one week. My thermostat is reading
"low ps" again...

Although I have read that you need a to take an online license to buy r22, Ebay has 5 lb. full tank for $300 and a 10Lb tank for $360, don't seem to need a license to order.
and a gauge set for $60.

I was quoted $3,600 to remove a unit, solder up the fittings leak and re install it!
So I'm considering it a "no brainer" to attempt this myself.

I am wondering about how much coolant and what pressure to use? 50-70?

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[km1125]

Source of the post
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I am wondering about how much coolant and what pressure to use? 50-70?

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Offhand, not sure on the pressures, but the amount of refrigerant would likely be 16-28oz. Many have that listed in the specs on the attached sticker.

[tomschauer]

OK, I didn't see at first you have a 570. From your pics, and with that size boat, your compressors / condensers are remote. So you have a lot of places to develop leaks. If you don't find and repair the leaks, you will be spending $$$ constantly and before long your compressors will fail due to oil loss. (oil is circulated with the refrigerant)
Look and feel around any connections at the condensers and evaporators for oil and dirt. Start there with a soap bubble test. You most likley have flare connections at both ends. That is the best place to start.