A/C Leak

[Marccus]

I installed a new Ford factory compressor, accumulator, compressor suction piping and condenser discharge piping.

I had an A/C shop vacuum the system and charge it.

Everything worked fine for about a month. But now the clutch won't kick in. I'm thinking there is a leak.

I have a Mastercool manifold gauge kit with leak detector, glasses, and UV light.

But I'm on a trip right now and will be traveling through Death Valley (110F during the day) and White Sands (as high as 120F).

So I'd like to use the A/C before I can trouble shoot it.

My question is will oil leak out with the refrigerant? If not, I don't want to buy those refrigerant cans at Pep Boys etc., because they all contain oil. Too much oil will increase the cooling temperature of the refrigerant/oil mix.

I'd have to buy just a can of R134a refrigerant and I guess I'd have to find a "regular" auto parts store.

If oil does leak out, I guess I should buy the refrigerant cans with oil in them.

Can anyone suggest which type of leak is most likely to occur refrigerant only, refrigerant/oil?

Thanks.

 

[kevinspann]

Oil can leak out of the o-rings on the system are bad enough. I would hook up the gauges first to see what the charge is, then go from there.