Hi All, Need some advice/help on an A/C issue I'm having with my 1998 F355B. When I bought the car 3 years ago the A/C had just been serviced by Ferrari of Denver (recharged the system as it previously blew warm) a few weeks before I took delivery but the weather turned cold so never tested it. The following spring A/C blew warm so had it recharged by a local independant and was cold as ice for a few days then was warm again. Fast forward to this spring while it was in for a major they checked over the system, changed out the O-rings and recharged again. Blew cold for a few days. Now back to warm. I have read it could be a leaky schrader valve but to be honest no idea where that is to check...do I need to remove frunk liner or can it be accessed from the little screw down carpet panel on passenger side ? any pics of it available ? If that valve checks out ok what is next step to solve this issue ? Thanks
You can charge the system and put UV dye in that can then be traced to a leak. Dye is available at any auto parts store. Or but R134 with the dye in it already which is also readily available. Sent from my SM-G990U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
It must be a small leak to pass a vacuum test. Dye is a proper plan. I have, on other cars, regulated 40 PSI into the system and sprayed all the joints with soap looking for bubbles. I bought one of these. Haven't used it yet though. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ER2F4PC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Disagree. 1 I hate dye but thats me. Will never ever use it. It makes a huge mess. Vacuum is a very poor and unreliable test for leaks. Vacuum can and regularly does suck leaks closed. Finding a leak that way is a matter of luck. Good leak detectors are very sensitive and reliable. To the OP. Your last shop was lazy to the extreme. Even Stevie Wonder can find a leak that big, probably just by listening to it. Find a shop that has a clue and mechanics that are not just a waste of air and have it fixed. Its not rocket science. Thousands of AC systems get fixed every day.
+1 on the use of a leak detector. I used one to find a leak last summer - traced it to a leak around the compressor seal. Well worth the minor investment. https://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-freon-and-halogen-leak-detector-92514.html
Either vacuum or pressure will generally only tell you if there is a leak, not where the leak is. Fortunately, I've had my car 10 years and the AC hasn't need to be recharged since I got it.
