not true on the residential side many systems can go there entire life without being recharged, acid comes from the compressor windings breaking down

as far as youre elec fan i had issues with mine for years and just recently figured it out the connections where the relay plugs into were pushing away from the relay when you plugged the relay in. i had to take the whole pdc (fuse box under the hood) loose and manually push the connectors on the spade connectors from underneath id been dealing with it for 5 or 6 years but only figured it out this year now that my kid is driveing it, its funny all the stuff i let slide when i drove it now hes useing it and so far ive replaced the heater core (no heat for 4 yrs, bypassed it cuz it was leaking) ac evap core same reason, elec fan had a cheap ebay one in there(thought that was the fan issue) replaced the fan shroud (didnt have one, dangerous) pulled and recovered the headliner. new tires and wheels, finally have a spare(first time since ive owned it. anyways check out the connectors on youre fan relay

 

That's pretty interesting you learn something new everyday.A benefit of the web is vast info downside is vast amount of misinformation.Figures a salesman would tell me that. I'll go check that now. I know exactly what your saying. I'll have to see if any of the connections are loose and sliding down. I guess a quick way to check that would be run some jumper wires from the relay right to the connections and see what happens. It's cold outside I wonder if I sit long enough if temp will rise enough to kick the fan on... Thanks for the help! Sounds about right...you drive with no creature comforts and as soon as you get it figured out ...kids take over.

 

Agreed with kennzz05,Auto,residential and refrigerators are all sealed system.Have you ever heard of anybody recharging their refrigerator every two years?,they last a lifetime.
The acid in the system comes from moisture in the system,that is why that any leaks must
be repaired and then pull a vacuumed to eliminated that moisture.

 

Yea that makes good sense. Not sure about lasting a lifetime lol I have plenty of a/c window units that last 5-10 years then go downhill, I have a big one now in my kitchen that ate it this past summer,I think the run capacitor is bad. Most residential refrigerators and window a/c units are inserviceable sealed systems with no Schrader valves to be able to recharge them. Auto and residential central air systems are luckily serviceable and with maintenance and care can most definitely last many many years. I'm pretty sure recharging a known leaking a/c system is actually a federal violation. I appreciate the info guys like I said I did HVAC for 5 years but more on the heating side so I don't know specifics for a/c systems so its good you all do.

Edit: I always thought acid came from the moisture too that's why you gotta replace your filter dryer every so often, I just forget if its installed on the low side or high side. I know we installed them on residential a/c systems but don't know if any vehicle a/c systems have them. I know they are used to trap moisture though that much I do know. I am in aircraft maintenance now and HVAC is foggy for me its been years

 

Filled it with refrigerant and it's ice cold now. The compressor did automatically start up after a couple seconds. Hopefully it has no leaks. I guess I'll find out in a few days if its warm again

 

Cool man good deal. Did same to mine end of last summer its been fine since

 

most shops will add a dye when they refill so the next time your ac needs service, they can find where the leak is. i think they use a black light to find the dye/leak.

 

Yea that's exactly what they do. They a hook a tube of dye up inline with the refrigerant line. A lot of the store bought recharging cans have dye added too. Just check the can. I bought a kit last year and it came with ok gauge and a black light.