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From: ralphd@teklds.UUCP (Ralph Durtschi)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: air conditioning advice
Message-ID: <1174@teklds.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 24-Oct-85 11:55:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: teklds.1174
Posted: Thu Oct 24 11:55:12 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Oct-85 04:42:09 EDT
References: <1735@akgua.UUCP> <132@inuxa.UUCP> <393@cylixd.UUCP> <494@ttrdc.UUCP> <29ae0a4e.3b@apollo.uucp>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 19

> >I have also heard of a special propane torch head which has an attachment
> >for a hose, used for the purpose of sniffing freon.  The flow of the propane
> >in the head past the hose attachment orifice produces suction in the hose,
> >and you probe around with the end of the hose.  The flame changes color when
> >freon is sucked into it.  I have no idea how well this works, or if it is even
> >safe, given the possible presence of gasoline fumes.  I just wished to mention
> 
> Aieeee!! This is something you don't want to do! The combustion products
> from freon are quite toxic. All that fluorinated and chlorinated stuff is
> bad news when you burn it.
> --
I took a GM factory course on air conditioning repair and troubleshooting about
15 years ago. The torch and hose was the only recommended procedure for finding 
a freon leak. The flame burned a little blue-green with the presence of freon.
I think this was before dyed freon was available.

For what it's worth.

Ralph