Dreaded AC issue-need expertise

consultadrone

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So, I am facing the dreaded AC issue on my '17 Touring Coupe with about 52K miles on it. Started getting a hissing noise when I turned on the AC. Took it to the dealer and was sure to mention that I was aware of the TSB, etc. Performed an inspection and could not find any obvious leaks, etc, etc. So, long story short, they recommended an AC system service (evacuate and recharge) and would add dye. This cost me about $250. There is definitely a leak as the system was down to about 35% refrigerant. They said, if the leak ended up being the condenser, that they would refund that charge and repair the system under the warranty. This is all fine but upon reviewing the service notes, I noticed that they used R134A dye (instead of R1234YF). Is this going to be a problem?

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Rc1989

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Obvious to see the condenser leak. Also compressor leak . Most likely the evaporator which requires dash removal . Also hope they put the right dye because that r134a dye is no bueno
 

JJTHESIPLANE

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I was told by my dealership there is no dye that can be put into the 1234yf refrigerant... They'd have to use a sniffer tool to find a leak.
 
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consultadrone

consultadrone

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I was told by my dealership there is no dye that can be put into the 1234yf refrigerant... They'd have to use a sniffer tool to find a leak.
Interesting, as the TSB from Honda regarding the condenser leak issue specifically states that dye may be required to detect the leak.

Honda Civic 10th gen Dreaded AC issue-need expertise ACTSB2
 

JJTHESIPLANE

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Interesting, as the TSB from Honda regarding the condenser leak issue specifically states that dye may be required to detect the leak.

ACTSB2.jpg
Thank you for this info! Hopefully I can bring it back to them soon because I know there is still a leak in my system... they just haven't figured it out yet lol. I'll make sure to bring this sheet, thank you again!
 


Rc1989

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Thank you for this info! Hopefully I can bring it back to them soon because I know there is still a leak in my system... they just haven't figured it out yet lol. I'll make sure to bring this sheet, thank you again!
Most likely evaporator is leaking if nothing is visible. Also there are r1234yf dyes now. Just make sure they dont put r134a dye.plus if they haven't figured it out yet is because they do not want to remove the dash board.
 

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Most likely evaporator is leaking if nothing is visible. Also there are r1234yf dyes now. Just make sure they dont put r134a dye.plus if they haven't figured it out yet is because they do not want to remove the dash board.
What is the difference between R134a UV dye and R1234yf UV dye ?
From my reading, it's the same basic dye.
The only difference would be if it is already mixed in with a refrigerant as a recharge item.

ie
R134a refrigerant with UV dye added
or
R1234yf refrigerant with UV dye added.

Evaporator leaks are not that easy to spot with UV dye, unless you gain access to them with some major disassembly, so they are more easily detected with a Refrigerant Gas detector. ( or just the smell within the car, if it is a major leak !!)
 
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consultadrone

consultadrone

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What is the difference between R134a UV dye and R1234yf UV dye ?
From my reading, it's the same basic dye.
The only difference would be if it is already mixed in with a refrigerant as a recharge item.

ie
R134a refrigerant with UV dye added
or
R1234yf refrigerant with UV dye added.

Evaporator leaks are not that easy to spot with UV dye, unless you gain access to them with some major disassembly, so they are more easily detected with a Refrigerant Gas detector. ( or just the smell within the car, if it is a major leak !!)

Well I did a little research...seriously, very little. I Googled TP-3820 and it looks like that's just a bottle of dye...not refrigerant with dye added. I'm going to call the service dept to make sure, but I'm guessing that they just don't have an updated SKU in their system with an updated description. From my more in depth previous research, I agree that the dyes are the same....pretty much all of them, so I'm not going to worry about it.

I'll be checking the system with a UV light regularly. I'm hoping it's a slow leak in the condenser and not the evaporator so the repair will be covered. If it is the evaporator, compressor or something major, I might be going car shopping sooner than I had planned. A 2 year old perfectly maintained car should not be having major HVAC system issues in my opinion.
 

Rc1989

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What is the difference between R134a UV dye and R1234yf UV dye ?
From my reading, it's the same basic dye.
The only difference would be if it is already mixed in with a refrigerant as a recharge item.

ie
R134a refrigerant with UV dye added
or
R1234yf refrigerant with UV dye added.

Evaporator leaks are not that easy to spot with UV dye, unless you gain access to them with some major disassembly, so they are more easily detected with a Refrigerant Gas detector. ( or just the smell within the car, if it is a major leak !!)
Well if it's not the compressor,lines, or condenser it will be the evaporator. We use a scope with black light attached or sniffer to get under dash but if there are no visible leaks it will be a porous evaporator. Not sure in dye but we use dye specifically for r1234yf which is called for.
 
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consultadrone

consultadrone

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Well if it's not the compressor,lines, or condenser it will be the evaporator. We use a scope with black light attached or sniffer to get under dash but if there are no visible leaks it will be a porous evaporator. Not sure in dye but we use dye specifically for r1234yf which is called for.
I haven't checked with a UV light yet (have one coming tomorrow), but I need to call the dealership to see about the dye type.
 


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A lot of times the sniffer will be the only way to find a leak, unless it is very obvious. Even then, a small leak can be hard to find so adding dye will make it easier once the leak inevitably gets worse. There are known issues though so check those spots with the light and maybe you’ll find it!
 

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The evaporator had to be replaced on one of my previous cars, a 300M. Here's a photo of someone doing it on their 300M. The evaporator is inside the black plastic housing on the passenger side. When I saw his picture I decided to pay to have it done vs. doing it myself. Not sure if the AC shop used a freon detector or a dye to find where my leak was. A dye might be difficult to see because the evaporator is enclosed, unless it left a trail as the freon got blown out of the AC vents.

Honda Civic 10th gen Dreaded AC issue-need expertise 300m evaporator 007
 
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consultadrone

consultadrone

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Yeah, I called the dealership and they said that the dye they used was fine for R1234YF systems. I'm a little weary of the idea...and I don't see why they wouldn't use R1234YF dye, but he was adamant that the dye was OK. We shall see. If indeed it ends up being a problem, I have the paperwork showing that the dealer used the wrong chemical in the system so at least there's that.
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