Leaking Cruisair

[dickegler]

Hi all,

I have a cruisair that has developed a refrigerant leak (R22).  Relatively slow ( lasts 30-45 days till inoperable), but need to repair it.

  My thoughts are to remove lines and vacuum test each component.  Are there any areas of the condenser or evaporator that are more prone to develop a leak, or more likely a line set?

Any ideas appreciated.

Dick

[luvrbus]

The fill valve leaked on mine I found it by accident by leaving the gauge hooked up   

[dickegler]

Thanks Clifford, I'll be sure and check that!

[wg4t50]

A good electronic sniffer will find it, well did for me.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Professionals have ways to find the leak and repair and recharge all in one visit.>>>Dan
Its not all that costly.

[oldmansax]

We use dry nitrogen. Pressurize the system to 300#. Usually the leak will be noticeable. If not, I have an ultrasound meter I use, and, or course, there are always soap bubbles. Make sure to remove the gauges and check the king valves, as Clifford mentioned.

TOM

[dickegler]

I've had a sniffer after it, but no joy!   I'll try the nitrogen method.

Thanks!

[robertglines1]

Any of the mechanical system balance pressure valve between sides of system.  found on on a older one... like to drove me nuts.. trying to remember name.  if it comes to me I will call;  I removed from system because in the great picture it wasn't needed to multiplex the system...Bob

[muldoonman]

Dick I have the same problem on one of my 3. Gonna wait until spring to try and find the problem. Let us now what you find. Have been told probably the valve.

[Jon]

Having a few years of Cruise air experience I can say with conviction it is probable the problem is one of the connections. Rather than make this complicated look for the wet spot. I would start with the valves at the condensing unit and it might be as easy as tightening a packing gland.

I know Liberty never runs a Cruise air set of lines with joints in them. The copper tubing is continuous from the condenser to the evaporator so it is probable Beaver did the same thing. They had a reputation at that time of building a very high quality coach. That just leaves connections and the rare possibility of a leak in the coils of either heat exchanger.

If you can borrow a sniffer it will show you the origin but so will a visual inspection because some compressor oil will leak out along with the R22. You can also use leak detector solution that refrigeration wholesalers have. That works well.

[luvrbus]

One place that was a problem with the Curisair leaking was people used the short flare nut Curisair told you not to use use only the long flare nut FWIW 

Marathon was the worst in the business installing the Curisairs they used nothing but cheap stuff from Home Depot and they were always problems with leaking so they went to roof airs something they couldn't screw up easy

[wg4t50]

MY problem was tracked to an improper silver soldered fitting on the evaporator. Poor factory QC.

[oldmansax]

Glad you found it. Did you have to use nitrogen?

TOM

[georgemci102a2]

I also like using nitrogen to push the R22 for the sniffer, but my first and best choice is to spay soap and water to look for leaks. freon sniffers can give us false readings but bubbles never do....George.