Leaky Schrader Valve

[jf1202]

Hey guys new to the field and was on a job today where we put gauges on the system and found the systems AC charge to be empty so we proceeded to do a leak test and found the schrader was leaking. Can a schrader valve core empty the entire systems charge is my question or should we be looking for another possible leak? Thanks in advance

[pecmsg]

Hey guys new to the field and was on a job today where we put gauges on the system and found the systems AC charge to be empty so we proceeded to do a leak test and found the schrader was leaking. Can a schrader valve core empty the entire systems charge is my question or should we be looking for another possible leak? Thanks in advance

A leak is a leak! What size, ambient temps and time determines how long to loose an entire charge!

BTW Schaefer valves have caps for a reason!

[rjk_cmh]

Sure it can leak a whole system down. It's holding in the pressure with one tiny little gasket, after all. Be sure to install caps if there weren't any after you replace the core. You should have been able to see the problem visually by a large amount of oil around the schrader that was leaking.

[jf1202]

Okay thanks guys didn't see a large amount of oil around the schrader but the unit has sat all winter. lso sprayed with soapy bubbles and it bubbled right up. Thanks everyone

[Olivero]

Hey guys new to the field and was on a job today where we put gauges on the system and found the systems AC charge to be empty so we proceeded to do a leak test and found the schrader was leaking. Can a schrader valve core empty the entire systems charge is my question or should we be looking for another possible leak? Thanks in advance

Without a doubt they can.

Had an R22 system go down 2-4 months ago due to NO refrigerant left at all, about 10-12 lbs of it.

Put Nitro in it, walk up to the box, open the door and *HSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH* The one schrader without the cap blew it all out.

Man I was upset.

Now I double. Triple check all the schraders before I leave to make sure they are capped and gasketed.

[HVAC_Marc]

had one on a Goodman coil do that. It was where the txv would have gone. It only had a rubber cap on it.

No, I dont install goodman...

[joemach]

Sure it can leak a whole system down. It's holding in the pressure with one tiny little gasket, after all. Be sure to install caps if there weren't any after you replace the core. You should have been able to see the problem visually by a large amount of oil around the schrader that was leaking.

Can't always tell by oil. Could be from removing the hoses.

[itsiceman]

had one on a Goodman coil do that. It was where the txv would have gone. It only had a rubber cap on it.

No, I dont install goodman...

Those Goodman caps are a flimsy joke. They are like dust caps or something. Chinese units I work on have better caps than Goodman. Some greedy bastage at Goodman is in charge of the decision to use a crappy cap like that. Never seen a cap as bad as the ones on Goodman. Its like Goodman has them crappy caps specially crappy made just for them.

[DavidDeBord]

Those Goodman caps are a flimsy joke. They are like dust caps or something. Chinese units I work on have better caps than Goodman. Some greedy bastage at Goodman is in charge of the decision to use a crappy cap like that. Never seen a cap as bad as the ones on Goodman. Its like Goodman has them crappy caps specially crappy made just for them.

So itsice, ... You like Goodman's Caps?

[itsiceman]

Goodman valve caps are

[hvacskills]

Sure it can leak a whole system down. It's holding in the pressure with one tiny little gasket, after all. Be sure to install caps if there weren't any after you replace the core. You should have been able to see the problem visually by a large amount of oil around the schrader that was leaking.

oil is not always present at refrigerant leaks, especially at a schrader core that has a cap on it .....

[hvacskills]

Hey guys new to the field and was on a job today where we put gauges on the system and found the systems AC charge to be empty so we proceeded to do a leak test and found the schrader was leaking. Can a schrader valve core empty the entire systems charge is my question or should we be looking for another possible leak? Thanks in advance

you can loose the entire charge with a leaky schrader core .... would pressure test system, you should be able to tell if there is an additional refrigerant leak by a pressure test and evacuation .....

[shavedneon]

Now I double. Triple check all the schraders before I leave to make sure they are capped and gasketed.

Proper torque of 5” pounds is also important. JB makes a torque limiting screw driver looking torque wrench, pre-set at 5 inch pounds. Too loose or too tight can also leak.

[timjimbob]

Why don't they make a cap that the o ring doesn't fall out?

[Olivero]

Proper torque of 5” pounds is also important. JB makes a torque limiting screw driver looking torque wrench, pre-set at 5 inch pounds. Too loose or too tight can also leak.

I got 2 of those, they are great, very easy to use.

[Raehvac]

I carry a bunch of new brass caps and always put new ones with nylog. Then when I remove my gauges or wireless probes I check with either an ir leak detector or bubble to make sure it's not leaking before I leave.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[theoldscroll]

Without a doubt they can.

Had an R22 system go down 2-4 months ago due to NO refrigerant left at all, about 10-12 lbs of it.

Put Nitro in it, walk up to the box, open the door and *HSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH* The one schrader without the cap blew it all out.

Man I was upset.

Now I double. Triple check all the schraders before I leave to make sure they are capped and gasketed.

At the least spit on em after you take your gauges off to see if it bubbles.

[theoldscroll]

Those Goodman caps are a flimsy joke. They are like dust caps or something. Chinese units I work on have better caps than Goodman. Some greedy bastage at Goodman is in charge of the decision to use a crappy cap like that. Never seen a cap as bad as the ones on Goodman. Its like Goodman has them crappy caps specially crappy made just for them.

Don't sugar coat it man, just tell us strait what you think.

[dkalasz]

Goodman valve caps are

can you please tell us how you really feel about them goodman caps

[Poodle Head Mikey]

Yes to both.

Yes; a single leak can empty a system.

Yes; you should never stop leak checking after you find the first leak! <g>

That second one especially can really come back to bite you in the ass. <g>

PHM
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Hey guys new to the field and was on a job today where we put gauges on the system and found the systems AC charge to be empty so we proceeded to do a leak test and found the schrader was leaking. Can a schrader valve core empty the entire systems charge is my question or should we be looking for another possible leak? Thanks in advance