Repairing A/C, Leaked All Refrigerant

I have all the tools and both Freon 22 and 410 and the knowledge to do the repair. I would NOT waste my time fixing this unit if someone gave it to me. You can flush and evacuate and find the leak and solder the leak. Takes 1 lb of coolant. About 2 or 3 hours of my time. Now, I fix it. I have a operational AC. Odds are, after a few months the compressor will probably fail and then my work and time is wasted. Maybe not, but odds work against you on things like this. Now, if you are bored or want to learn, then fixing this would be a good project. Doug

joeshmoe wrote:
Have a lightly used Coleman Mach that I replaced after only a couple years (It actually began dying the first year). It sprung a leak shortly after I purchased the camper, and all the make-it-cold stuff eventually came out. I've looked around and found a few pages about repairing these things. Apprently, installing one of those "saddle" valves after the repair is made almost always end up leaking. So soldering in an low pressure valve is the "proper" way to repair these otherwise unrepairable units.

Best option on those is always replacement.

However if the leak is in a location where it can be totally and completely fixed and properly sealed.. (There is something called a vacuum test.. you suck it down and leave a meter attached. 10 or 15 minutes later if the needle has not moved..> GOOD. note you need to suck it down anyway for like an hour or more.

I have installed a couple of saddle valves on other stuff.

never had one leak. NEVER.

OH. one final comment on Coleman A/Cs.. My Service tech says "They Suck" but she means it in a good way

The rooftop unit sucks air in via the condenser. that means that all the "Crud" that eventually blocks the air flow collects on teh OUTSIDE of the condenser.. Remove outer cover. peal or brush off, replace outer cover.

Others "BLOW" so you have to remove outer cover. Remove INNER cover (Varies from a few screws to a jell of a hob) With my tiny hands (XXXL) I have to remove the fan. then I can get in and clean it..

I LOVE MY COLEMAN.