..the AC rad for holes? My A/C has never worked and no longer has any gas in it. The bloke I bought the car from said that he thought it was a leaky pipe that was the problem. Now I've got the engine out, the pipe's all look fine. So I'm left wondering if it's the rad that's leaking.

is there any signs that it may have been leaking, i.e damp patches, damage etc? Not 100% sure but I think the only way to actually check it is to get the AC system recharged with a leak detection dye added, the system is then checked over with a UV light and any leaks become immediately apparent. Don't forget you've got the evaporator behind the dash too.

nitrogen is used normally,its illegal to refill an a/c system knowing it has a leak.

Yeah, cheers guys. I'll get the pro's in to check it out, he can also convert it from the old gas for me too :)

Baz is right, you can get a dye in a pressurised can that you can put into the valve on the aircon system - run it through, pop a UV lamp over it and you will see the leak.

 

If you check the condensor though with the motor out you should see dark patches on the fins / core if it's been leaking for some time.

Baz is right, you can get a dye in a pressurised can that you can put into the valve on the aircon system - run it through, pop a UV lamp over it and you will see the leak.

 

If you check the condensor though with the motor out you should see dark patches on the fins / core if it's been leaking for some time.

 

cheers bud. I've had a close look at the rad and it does appear that the bottom left corner is darker than the rest. So from what you say, that is probable where the leak is.