A/C Problem - Help Needed on 308

I would try these methods:
Soap at fittings and look for bubbles
Freon sniffer, electronic ot torch
a mechanics stethoscope using a piece of hose
Add a UV oil/dye and use ann Ultra Violet light to find the leak
OR
Take it to a local auto AC shop and let them find it.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

Agree with Walt. If you are hearing a leak when the system is pressurized, you've got a big problem. It might be a loose fitting, but more likely you've split or cut a hose. If the system has been open and empty for a while, you will probably at least have to replace the drier and evacuate the system. AC is AC. Just because its a Ferrari doesn't mean there is anything exotic about the AC system. A good local AC shop should be able to take care of it for you. And if you haven't converted over to R134A, now's a good time to do that. You'll save a ton of money over the cost of refilling a system with R12 these days.

 

Hi Kurt,

I know a good Ferrari tech in West Chester. Give him a call, I think he'll have some information for you.

 

No.

There is an access panel in the front wheel well you can remove and look for leaks in the hose. You won't see much of the hoses, but maybe enough?

Just jack up the car and remove the rt. wheel. You will see two panels- the one on the rear is the one you want.

Also- remove the fiberglass cover around your spare and look/listen for any leaks around there where the drier, evap, etc are located. Add some dye if you can and the leak will be found quickly.

 

Check to make sure that one of the metal screws that holds the fiberglass cover around your spare has not rubbed through your hose...

 

I might reconsider this advice. converting is not as simple a decision as it may appear. while I am still new to ferraris, I am not to ac systems. To convert you must :
1) remove ALL mineral oil /r12 residues, as r12 if mixed with r134a will cause, in time, what the pros refer to as black death for the compressor. This is caused from the formation of certain organic acids that eat away at the metal inside. It is not that easy to remove all residues.

2) R143a NEEDS a larger condensor to work efficiently. Some noses of Italian cars are too small to accomodate this. You will have to investigate for a larger size. while your old one will do OK, it will NOT work like it should to recondense the freon.

3) old R12 is easier on the compressor, where R134a makes it work at HIGHER presures. Result? shorter life.

4) You will NOT get colder air from R134a in your Ferrari. Never.

IMO, R134a can be penny wise, dollar foolish.

You can look around and maybe find a local smaller shop with R12 for $30 a lb. I did. But first, make shure they evacuate for at least 2 hrs, 3-4 better, to check for leaks!!! Then, put in the R12.

Good Luck