I have a Coleman Mach 11K unit that has been blowing warmer and warmer for about a year now. The **** thing is only 3 years old with VERY little use. Can't be expected to buy a new one already, right? It finally quit blowing cold this weekend. Went on top to check all the normal stuff. Caps tested good. Compressor is clearly working hard as it gets super hot with no condensation accumulating anywhere. Low side is no where near being cool. So....I snooped around online and found out you can repair these things even though they're marketed as "unserviceable". I bought a Supco bullet service port to install inline on the low side, BUT I first need to find the leak and determine how bad it is and whether dumping in refrigerant/sealant/oil will do the trick. Problem is, where do I find this R410a? It isn't exactly like you go to Walmart and pick some up. Where would I find it without paying a fortune?

I will assume You have the proper gauges etc. for the job and are familiar with the dangers of high side versus low side, know how to draw a vacuum in the lines etc. Amazon, Ebay both carry the refrigerant you specified. Ebay has smaller containers with stop leak in it. Either way it ain't cheap

I hope you realize that you also need a vacuum pump (a fairly healthy one) to evacuate the system before you pump a full charge of freon back into it.Then.....leaks are most often located by putting a little freon in and using an electronic "sniffer" to find the leak.What if the leak turns out to be in the compressor ? Or in the evaporator or condensor ??Layman attempts to fix "non-servicable" refrigeration units usually turn out bad......with the best ones just wasting time and money.....and the worst ones ending up with injuries.

As a suggestion, you might want to install the service port and determine if there is any charge left. I'm assuming you have a leak tester? Using soapy water hardly gets it as there are too many places hard to see. If it's completely empty (probably) you could get a can of 134A (automobile refrigerant) and charge it with that just to find the leak. This would be cheaper than chasing down the 410 and wasting it for leak testing purposes. You are going to have to evacuate it to fix it anyway so the 134 will go away. I'm thinking you will find out why they are called 'unserviceable'. Usually these units last a long time...you just drew the short straw. If you have "Big Lots" stores near you, they are frequently the cheapest place to get 134A.

You assume correctly.I wasn't able to find anything but the 25 lb. tanks on amazon. I'll have to check ebay. What a complete bummer to have this newish A/C fail. I have a mind to complain to Airexcel, but that'll probably get me no where.

Do not use any stop leak or products with stop leak. If you ever plan on having a shop service a a/c unit after you have used it. As they will probably need to replace most of the components in the system. That stuff is real nasty. It does stop leaks.

Anyone Recharged Their A/C Refrigerant? | Good Sam Community

joeshmoe
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
dougrainer wrote:
1. Taps are NOT a good tool. They WILL leak. Soldering in a Schrader valve(Hi and Low) is best.
2. The system only holds about 16oz of 410. So, buying a few lbs will be hard to do.
3. They are called NOT Serviceable because they are sealed systems and have NO fill ports. You CAN service them, but the cost is high. Due to NOT having 410 easily available and you need to solder in the 2 service ports and have a Dial A Charge. AND know how to use a Dial a Charge to get the proper amount of LIQUID 410 in the system. You can charge by amp draw based on ambient Temp correction, but you need to know how to do it. Doug

My initial thought of these taps were the same. Not a good idea. Taps, in general, are bad. I'm a plumber, so I can sweat in a couple valves.

I have an idea where the leak could be. There's an obvious oily spot near the front of the unit.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 15, 2017
If charging is needed you can recharge.. But let me ask this

Did you clean the condenser coils?

I did mine last week (or was it the week.. No it was last week)
Johno02
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
Cheaper to replace than repair. (Unless you are in the AC repair business and have the tools and equipment).
dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 14, 2017
1. Taps are NOT a good tool. They WILL leak. Soldering in a Schrader valve(Hi and Low) is best.
2. The system only holds about 16oz of 410. So, buying a few lbs will be hard to do.
3. They are called NOT Serviceable because they are sealed systems and have NO fill ports. You CAN service them, but the cost is high. Due to NOT having 410 easily available and you need to solder in the 2 service ports and have a Dial A Charge. AND know how to use a Dial a Charge to get the proper amount of LIQUID 410 in the system. You can charge by amp draw based on ambient Temp correction, but you need to know how to do it. Doug
joeshmoe
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
garyemunson wrote:
As a suggestion, you might want to install the service port and determine if there is any charge left. I'm assuming you have a leak tester? Using soapy water hardly gets it as there are too many places hard to see. If it's completely empty (probably) you could get a can of 134A (automobile refrigerant) and charge it with that just to find the leak. This would be cheaper than chasing down the 410 and wasting it for leak testing purposes. You are going to have to evacuate it to fix it anyway so the 134 will go away. I'm thinking you will find out why they are called 'unserviceable'. Usually these units last a long time...you just drew the short straw. If you have "Big Lots" stores near you, they are frequently the cheapest place to get 134A.

By leak tester, you mean UV dye and and a blacklight? Cause that's what I've used on every auto A/C system with a leak.

From what I've read on the "pro" HVAC sites, 410 and only 410 is designed to run in these compressors due to the higher operating pressure. I have a bunch of 134 in the garage though.

you just drew the short straw.

Yeah, that's the story of my life lately.
tempforce
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
Do not use any stop leak or products with stop leak. If you ever plan on having a shop service a a/c unit after you have used it. As they will probably need to replace most of the components in the system. That stuff is real nasty. It does stop leaks.
joeshmoe
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
You assume correctly.

I wasn't able to find anything but the 25 lb. tanks on amazon. I'll have to check ebay.

What a complete bummer to have this newish A/C fail. I have a mind to complain to Airexcel, but that'll probably get me no where.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jul 14, 2017
As a suggestion, you might want to install the service port and determine if there is any charge left. I'm assuming you have a leak tester? Using soapy water hardly gets it as there are too many places hard to see. If it's completely empty (probably) you could get a can of 134A (automobile refrigerant) and charge it with that just to find the leak. This would be cheaper than chasing down the 410 and wasting it for leak testing purposes. You are going to have to evacuate it to fix it anyway so the 134 will go away. I'm thinking you will find out why they are called 'unserviceable'. Usually these units last a long time...you just drew the short straw. If you have "Big Lots" stores near you, they are frequently the cheapest place to get 134A.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
I hope you realize that you also need a vacuum pump (a fairly healthy one) to evacuate the system before you pump a full charge of freon back into it.

Then.....leaks are most often located by putting a little freon in and using an electronic "sniffer" to find the leak.

What if the leak turns out to be in the compressor ? Or in the evaporator or condensor ??

Layman attempts to fix "non-servicable" refrigeration units usually turn out bad......with the best ones just wasting time and money.....and the worst ones ending up with injuries.
darsben1
Explorer
Jul 14, 2017
I will assume You have the proper gauges etc. for the job and are familiar with the dangers of high side versus low side, know how to draw a vacuum in the lines etc.
Amazon, Ebay both carry the refrigerant you specified. Ebay has smaller containers with stop leak in it. Either way it ain't cheap

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