How to Find Refrigerant Leaks - Kalos Meeting
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- In this Kalos morning meeting we talk about how to find refrigerant leaks and some of the most common mistakes techs make when they “can’t find a leak”
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes
and find our handy calculators at www.hvacrschool.com/
I put a schrader cap on the port of a 410 tank, open and close the valve. Then remove the cap to test. Works great.
Good thinking.!
That’s the absolute best way. It’s what I do
Same, was going to say it till i saw the comment.😊
I am a tech of 13 years and have developed some bad habits. These videos are a benchmark of how I need to do things. It is not that I am bad or stupid. Just was thrown in the field with little supervision other than a phone call for direction. Thank you for this!
Best way to learn. threw out to the wolves. Made your mistakes early
I've been a HVAC contractor for 35 years. Seen it all. This was a great video..
Thanks 👍
I love seeing the time and energy you invest in your crew's training. Speaks to the values of your company. Keep it up. As an experienced tech I still watch so many of your videos as refreshers and for good business philosophy. Never stop learning.
Much appreciated!
same here i have 20 years in HVAC and love to learn, always from day 1 told myself i dont want to be one of those old lazy techs stuck in the past. to stay present we have to continually evolve
I started working hvac with a 87 years old veteran with 40 years experience, first thing made me do is take coil out put a shader valve on it ,pressure it and submerge it on pool, or lake...lol now I know how much extra work I was doing
I found that when I managed a large department that the most common excuse for poor practice was the “we’re so busy” I had to get done. I always told the techs let ME worry about how behind we are not you. I would rather have you do 3 calls properly and completely than do 7 and I need to send someone back on 5 of them. Great job Brian as always
That's great as long as your company lets you do that. Sometime your being pushed to get to the next job. That's one reason I don't like these guarantee on time places.
We had a garage door company come out to fix a garage door opener. They only had 15 minutes to fix it and be on their way to the next job. The clutch was slipping. Their solution was just to tighten the clutch. They didn't check check to see if the spring tension was right or if the track/wheels were messed up making the door require more force to open.
Yeah I don't understand how some techs can somehow do 3 TXV's two coils and a leak repair on the same day 😂 there's no way they're pulling a good vacuum and finely tuning the charge
@@AGON17 agreed. especially in high humidity climates or system that have had multiple compressors, txv's with alot of oil migration then high static that never gets diagnosed
Our problem is the 7 calls a day tech sells them new gear and never diagnoses the problem. Then and 20 year guy is sent after the new equipment doesn't work. Finding range between 3/8 brass farrow at the recessed can light to 3 foot birds nest in the intake 3 inch pvc combustion air pipe. Customer looked at me and said, YOU MEAN I BOUGHT A NEW FURNACE FOR NO REASON!!!!!!!! Answer I'm sorry sir I was sent here to repair the new equipment. I did notice a higher than normal volume of calls here. Would you like me to have management call you? I mean sales is not always the answer.
This guy is the GOAT of teachers, lol!
thankyou
I like how honest you are. Appreciate your knowledge.
Great job! These meeting videos are very informative and educational. Bad habits are giving good companies and good technicians a bad rap, thank you for doing your part to combat that issue! Thank you.
So true!
Another excellent lecture. Love them and keep em comin. You’d be surprised at how many people these will actually help.
That's the plan!
i got my certicate of hvacr 19 years ago in Arizona,and when I see your videos I really missed those days in class . learning a lot with your videos. Thanks a lot.
Yep. I’m one of those ol’ techs that is learning the hard way to do proper steps. Thxs for reminding me of good refrigeration practices! Plus you teach me a thing or two alone the way. Been carrying double tools and backups for a good reason. Lol. Keep the info flowing.
I love seeing someone who is smart enough to be willing to learn after a long time. I've had people defiantly tell me "I've been doing it this way for 10 years!", to which I can only reply "doing it wrong for 10 years isn't a good thing."
I very much appreciate your work as an educator. One thing that would help is if you would repeat the questions/comments of those in your live audience as they are nearly impossible to hear online. Thanks for helping us.
Thanks! I have been licensed for almost 40 years and still working a little and I do enjoy your classes if nothing else you remind me of my bad habits ! and yes I jest check my detector at the tank by jest taking off the schrader cap of what ever refrigerant the system is using
I'm glad Bert specifically pointed out the problem with Lennox equipment. We were primarily a Lennox dealeruntil the leak issues got so bad we had to go with another brand. Cracked discharge lines, cracked permanent suction, crack TXV bypass tubing, outdoor TXV rubs, leaks on the front and back sides of evaporator coils, leaks under the black coating they use to insulate the feeder tubes. And this has been going on for years.. And they don't show any interest in fixing the problems on their end. Way to contribute Bert 😎👍
i am glad it helped
I work in an RNC company and we sell Lennox. You won’t believe the bs we are seeing now. Units leaking left and right. Not even 2 month to a year old and leaks in the evap, condenser coil, compressor connection, distribution tubes. You name it it leaks. Leaky Lennox it’s a nightmare.
@@The1JBanks I'm telling you man, Lennox should have their asses sued off over this. That's the only way they're going to improve their product. You got to hit them in their pocket, where it hurts. Before they'll actually make things better. As long as they're allowed to get away with it and there are never any repercussions or reparations on their part, they'll just continue making shoddy equipment the way they have been. THE CONSUMER DESERVES BETTER!!!
Bert had no answer for the mistakes that people make doing leak detection because he doesn't make those mistakes being the greatest leak detector in the world.
You got it!
It’s a privilege to even be seated near this man Awsome Guy much love from Pgh Pa
I love the classroom discussions. So much.
Thank you for posting these instructional videos they’re great!
Glad you like them!
Excellent discussion and training. Thank you brother.
Another great classroom setting training video! Keep it up Bryan 👍
More to come!
Man I really love these classroom teaching videos. Please keep them coming. And I would love to get your opinion on bluon thanks
that would be nice to get his take on it.
Noted!
We inquired about Bluon and the quote was more than R22
@@arthurcastillo8767 what? Bluon isn't a freon lol
As a tech support guy with Bluon, we love these videos, I had a call this morning asking about leak detection, I intend to forward this link to him. Great video! It's all about helping techs get better.
Thank you so much for your classroom lessons I’m a young technician and I’m learning a lot of what not to do
Thanks for the videos, I like to listen between service calls in Va.
Very good class. Very good instructor. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
This was a good refresher on finding leaks. Thanks
pleasure
Love these videos but it would be great to hear what they are saying as well. I'm fortunate enough to work for a company like this one with people who care enough to have meetings like this. Always great to get together on a topic or 2 and hear other perspectives. 🤙🏼
Noted!
thank you so much, thorough leak detection is one of the things my school hasn't really helped us with. it really bothers me that the systems in our lab are always leaking.
Man I wish I had an instructor that was as engaging with his students. My instructor was horrible. Basically paid to teach myself
Lol, I’m going to school now and my instructor spelled compacitor instead of capacitor on the board.. 😂
Revelator 713 -I had a teacher mess up an important HVAC word too back when I was in school. First sign of the school being near useless.
Me too bro I learn more on CZcams thanks to hvac school and two more guys mainly
I'm at Eastland career...should've played the lottery with the money ...horrible school very disappointed
Very good teaching as always and I laughed with some of the comments too. I wish I were closer to your school. Keep the good work. GBY
I have the h10 and stratus both. The h10 is perfect for cases and HVAC and the stratus is awesome in a contaminated environment like a compressor room where the ppm readout really helps zero in on the leak location.
Most of leak detection success is in the experience and skill of the tech and the actual tool you use is of secondary importance.
Good class. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Bert's definitely got the Ron Burgundy stash going on
Excellent videos, you are great at what you do. I just wish I could get the full experience by being able to listen to the techs comments. Skeptical the videos coming
Great explanation Brian !!!!!
Glad you liked it
Nice job!
Congratulations
Thanks!
Hi and thanks for the help the other day. JASON OFTEL here. There are 3 detectors that will pick up sub 1ppm leaks. I use the srl8. After many years of success with h10 ge and Bach. Then srl2 was good after that. As long as the filter was kept clean. However the srl2 could find the small leaks. So then I started dyeing systems. Wow some of those leaks required a magnifying glass in the 6" range to see. Anyways thanks again wish I chose a shop that didn't end up being a sales positive employer. I'll continue being the customer retention department. Again thanks for the help even if we haven't met.
Glad my videos help you
Did you notice Daikin University pulled all there videos from CZcams
Great info. and meeting.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the content
Really good video. Only thing I took from it though was using r22 as a trace gas, great idea
I really love this class room teaching wish I was there I have sooooo many questions
you can ask in comments and i will try to answer them in Q/A video
excellent class¡¡¡¡¡ Very good instructor¡¡¡¡¡ saludos desde argentina
Pura vida! Sigues la lucha contra burros y idiotas. Continua su deseos de mejorar su fuente de informacion
The Office vipes are strong in this video shout out to the camera man , Great video as usual thanks a lot.
Thought about getting the srl8, but iv found every leak so far by looking for oil stains, soap/water mix or isolated and pressure testing. Used dye a few times but I don't like putting that stuff into the system then it gets into your gauges.
Nice job!
When will we have another Bert Life episode? I saw him sitting there and realized you haven't uploaded one in a long time. I really enjoy his stuff.
I’ve been having success finding leaks by trace testing, usually I’ll leave whatever refrigerant is in system if there’s any, and shoot nitro in til pressures are 200 psi. It’s been working for me
Leaks go from big to small, glad I was paying attention, my man in the front row, flip that.
Need more Bert life vlogs
Nice job and video
Awesome!
As always info sir. 😎👍
Thanks again!
I use a halo style leaked director. I got in the habbit of change the filter and calibration once water gets in the filter it's be comes useless. works well when it works.
i LOL'd at the keep an eye on it joke
9pm? that's a gas and go, and see ya in the morning.
14:05 is where it starts...
I have a question Bryan, what if your using an ultrasonic leak detector? I live in Utah Salt Lake City. The accutrak I use doesn’t get affect by being used outside. I just don’t use the koss earphones they came with because there crap. But I mostly work in commercial till this day it hasn’t failed me. Now being if I used an infrared or headed diode then yes I’m 100% with you. By the way I watch every single video you post and your an amazing instructor as well.
Interesting session
Do you recommend liquid leak sealant for a hard to find leak?
Be nice if the classes questions had subtitles because it's impossible to make out what they are saying/asking. Appreciate these videos.
Noted... thanks
if planning to do more of these... add a room mike? I have no idea about production acoustics.. forgive the lack of tech knowledge on audio production
You can turn on the subtitles from youtube settings 👍
T
Testing for leaks is fun. Feel accomplished when finding the culprit. He said bubbles lol 😆
yes always re-diagnose last techs diagnosis
I find the JB Prowler leak detector does so well with 410 if there is no liquid in the system but still around 50 psi and you pressurize with nitrogen it will pick it up.
Wish I'd seen thus Video a couple of weeks ago!
Ive used both for many years. I think to be effective you would need infra red and heated diode simultaneously to be fast and accurate. That being said, bubbles and intuition have always been faster and more accurate for me.
Edit, a huge indicator ive noticed is with the black foam insulation is spots where the insulation looks burnt and flakes off like its burnt. Seems like the oil seeping onto it breaks down the plastic that its made of. As always verify.
very good vid! first one I see. just a suggestion. add a room mic! so we can listen to the questions and coments?
Thanks for the idea!
Lennox has a lot of leaks I’m finding on the tru suction tubbing and txv’s in the condensers.
They also like to leak on the suction line at the evap coil where you're supposed to field install a Schrader core but no one ever seems to.
Get a battle of nitrogen and pressuring with 250 to a 300 psi and you find a leak
There's more to just being observant or patient. An experienced tech needs to evolve and rise to the problem. Some system leaks are so difficult, one may end up cutting and capping off the lineset, condenser and evap sections, pressurizing each, then check which one has a pressure drop. Many times I was told the previous tech blamed the lineset, and many times I found leaks at the txv, solenoid stems that had tiny holes burnt in them when the coil burnt out, and tiny cuts in the coil tubes where they pass through the metal supports...sometimes caused by too wide of settings on a condenser fan cycling control. Last, when you do find and fix the leak, clean up any old oil deposits, and write on the unit when and where the leak was repaired...you may even want to mark the area with a paint marker and take a picture with your phone so you can show the customer and so you cover your butt.
I usually isolated the condenser from the evaporator and test them individually.
for speed I put both on a micron have and pull the indoor and out door indapently that works well too.
Saludos desde CHILE
Thanks. Why use R22 in a 410 system when you can use 410? Is R22 more detectable with electronic detectors?
Saturate everything with Big Blue
Lol the techs looked that they have been overworked by the boss and now he is with his training. Just kidding keep with your great work!
They are overworked by the Florida Summer. It happens every year
@@HVACS i want to join 😊
Iron city beer does NOT constitute pumping iron!
and which grove is that... China Grove?...'They just keep on looking to the east" www.songfacts.com/lyrics/the-doobie-brothers/china-grove
If there is a pin hole leak in the evaporator coil will it freeze up? Will you smell the freon (sweet noxious odor) every time the ac goes on? What else would cause a sweet sugary smell on a brand new hvac unit?
Good morning sir could you explain me about what is the super heat and sub cooling in short term for me plz
I personally like using a nu calgon leak sealant and adding refrigerant if it's a minor leak. Then I'll come back in 3 days to uv test it.
Pin hole hardest to find. You can spray bubble soap right on it and it won't show up. I use to spray bubble soap on my hand and when you come across the pin hole you will hear that whistle that any tech knows...just have to get it to blow a bubble then. Sometimes on the bottom of a line and hard to find.
I like my ultrasonic finds smallest leaks every time.
ultrasonic??
@@ilovenythismuchilovenewyor5801 It listens for the leak via a microphone rather than sniffing for it.
I use yellow jacket 69386 reference for 410a
When pulling a vacuum on an existing system, will remaining refrigerant oil in the tubes affect your vacuum reading?
In my mind the oil will evaporate just like water and ruin your vacuum reading?
I'm getting sea sick, was the tripod broken?
I work on commercial equipment and currently I am opening a residential business, can you talk about coil cleaning agents and potential problems with plants animals and potential property damage? Do you have the customer sign a waiver or is there generally no problems? On commercial equipment we typically only use water unless we have a reason to use chemicals but try selling a maintenance and not use a cleaning agent?
I'm using the liquids soap,to find the leaks, and putting the evaporator and condenser in the waters with liquids soap while I put some air pressure in it.😀😀😀.that kind of techniques, I didn't learned from the school, but I do it on my own, then solve the problem. Done
Man, where do you find such a bowel or barrel?!
Thanks for sharing
That's some time wasting right there.
Safety glasses! hahaha
Hello sir. Heat diode was inconclusive si I did nitrogen pressure to 350 psi on R410. It didn’t go down even by decimal, vacuum even went downtown to m
500 microns, We charged system but week later it was low again, what am I missing
U could have told them or weight it before and after at the truck less to carry
FYI, in Florida if a commercial AC loses more than 10 % freon per year it has to be replaced or repaired.
I got mad leak detecting once, and I farted on my leak detector… I can confirm that the leak detector was working.
As a bonus, I was no longer mad after. lol
Wow! Only $89 for an electronic leak detection? Over here on the Gulf of Mexico we charge every bit of $300 for an electronic leak detection....& I think that price actually is our 20% discounted price!!
& yes, people pay it. When it's 80+ degrees in their house....they will pay for it. & That does NOT include the repair to patch up the leak. If they want a leak search & a patch.... that's over $800. -Again, that $800 is discounted by 20%.
So yeah, you guys have an insane deal on that!!!!
Sir where is that school located in USA or canada
Inficon D-Tek Stratus is where it’s at👌🏼
That's an expensive toy I'm saving for it. What do you think of the H10
@@alexzapata692 H10 is the best heated diode while the stratus is the best infrared. It's like comparing a pickup to a sedan. Both have their pros and cons.
can Direct Inject Sealant from Leak Savers fix the small leaks? Thanks
I know this is a year late... but yes they can. I prefer the nu calgon brand. They usually work 8/10 times.
Nice video. The perfectionist in me wants to point out your error that the air we breathe is 60% nitrogen. Actually it is near 80%
Haha true... not sure why I said 60 like a dummy 🤦🏼♂️
@@HVACS Doesn't matter, I can sit and listen to a speaker and it's the little things that don't have anything to do with the subject matter that make me want to fact check the instructor lol
Nice work
i know that’s what he meant because i’ve heard him explain ambient air being composed of 78% nitro and 21% O2 and start describing other trace gasses that my college professors couldn’t even recall from memory.
Great vid. Here's a question, did these guys want to be there or they were forced to be there? Nobody (except that one guy) seems smiling or engaged. They seem tired - was it a 7AM meeting? You could use mics in the audience too, we didn't hear them.
It was a 7:30 Monday meeting. They were just tired and most of them are young so some of that is just how it is nowadays.
@@HVACS lowered expectations.... they should read the comments of guys wanting to replace them!
Anyone have issues with leak detectors going off from the glycol thats in soap sprays like big blu and the nu calgon stuff?
Yes... Made that mistake a few times..
What do you think about ultrasonic leak detection
Doesn’t work outside if there’s any wind or background noise and you can forget trying to use inside an active mechanical room. Basically they work great in dead silence.
Since you already recording the techs in the room it would be since to hear what their questions are. maybe have a mic passing between the guys.
noted!
WoW.! $89 for a Leak Search.? Some places in south Texas charge up to $250 for Leak Search. i guess because they figure 2 techs 1 hour each @ $125 per hour, or 1 tech spending 1 - 2 hours. Yes South Texas labor rate is approx. $125/hr for AC / Refrig.
When a leak is suspected because refrigerant is low, is there any situation you would use a direct injection sealant? (for example if you can not find the leak?)
I use them if a homeowner can't afford a better option. But I always give a disclaimer saying that there's no guarantee on the repair.
@@christianruvalcaba7788 Thanks! They since found the leak and replaced the coil in the air handler.
@@TravelwithNJSteveandSue no problem. You're gratitude is much appreciated.
If a leak is hard to find meaning you check from bottom to top, and top to bottom, but you still cannot find it. Is it good practice to run the unit to check for the leak?
Noted!
I will answer your question in Q/A video
I would turn off the blower if you do. Or else the fan will mess with the leak detector.