The Customer's Situation
Cik Tan Wei Ling lives in a 2-bedroom condo in Sri Petaling. She contacted us because her master bedroom Daikin 1.0HP inverter aircond had gradually stopped cooling over the past two months. At first, the air was slightly less cold than usual. Then it became barely cool. By the time she called us, the aircond was blowing room-temperature air despite running for hours.
"I thought maybe it just needed cleaning," Cik Tan told us. "I washed the filter myself, but nothing changed. The aircond runs, the fan blows, but the air isn't cold at all."
She'd also noticed frost forming on the copper pipe near the wall — a telltale sign that the issue wasn't just dirty filters. Based on her description, we suspected low gas and scheduled a visit.
Issues Identified
- Aircond blowing air but no cooling — outlet air temperature at 26°C (should be 12-14°C)
- Frost formation on suction copper pipe near indoor unit
- R32 gas pressure reading at 55 PSI — critically low (normal: 100-115 PSI for 1HP)
- Slow leak detected at outdoor unit service valve using electronic leak detector
- Valve cap seal (Schrader valve) deteriorated — allowing slow gas escape over months
Diagnosis: A Slow Leak at the Service Valve
Our technician Syafiq arrived and immediately connected his manifold gauge to check the gas pressure. The reading confirmed our suspicion — 55 PSI, barely half of the normal operating pressure for an R32 system.
The next step was finding the leak. Syafiq used an electronic refrigerant leak detector, systematically checking every connection point — the indoor unit flare joints, the copper pipe joints, and the outdoor unit valves. The detector alarmed at the outdoor condenser's service valve.
On closer inspection, the Schrader valve cap seal had deteriorated. The Schrader valve is similar to the air valve on a car tyre — it has a small spring-loaded pin that allows technicians to connect gauges and add gas. The cap on top has a rubber seal that provides a secondary seal. When this rubber seal degrades (from sun exposure and heat), gas can slowly seep past the Schrader pin.
This type of leak is particularly sneaky because it's very slow — the gas escapes at a rate that takes weeks or months to become noticeable. Cik Tan's aircond had been losing gas gradually for about 3-4 months before the cooling dropped enough for her to notice.
The Repair
Work Completed
- Replaced deteriorated Schrader valve core with new one — ensures tight seal at the service port
- Replaced both service valve caps with new brass caps with fresh rubber seals
- Performed vacuum on the system for 30 minutes to remove moisture and air
- Recharged R32 gas to correct pressure (108 PSI at current ambient temperature)
- Performed leak test on all connections using electronic detector — confirmed no leaks
- Standard cleaning of indoor unit — filter wash, coil rinse, drain flush
- Performance test for 30 minutes — verified cooling output stable at 12°C outlet temperature
Why Vacuum Before Recharging?
When a system loses significant gas, air and moisture can enter through the leak point. Air in the refrigerant system reduces cooling efficiency, and moisture can cause ice blockages in the expansion valve and corrosion of internal components.
Vacuuming removes all air and moisture before the fresh gas goes in. It's an essential step that some cheaper services skip to save time — but skipping it means the repair won't last as long and the aircond may not cool as well as it should.
Understanding Gas Pressure Readings
Cik Tan asked Syafiq to explain the gauge readings, so he gave her a quick crash course — which we'll share here since it's useful for all aircond owners:
- Normal R32 pressure (1HP unit, 32-35°C ambient): 100-115 PSI on the low side
- Slightly low (early leak): 80-100 PSI — cooling is reduced but the aircond still works somewhat
- Critically low: Below 70 PSI — minimal or no cooling, frost may form on pipes
- Empty: 0-30 PSI — no cooling at all, compressor may not even start
At 55 PSI, Cik Tan's unit was critically low. Any longer and the compressor would have been at risk of damage from running without adequate lubrication (refrigerant also carries lubricating oil to the compressor).
For more details on recognising signs of low aircond gas, we've published a detailed guide. And to understand the difference between gas types, read our article on R410A vs R32 gas.
The owner first noticed the problem when the aircond was running all day but the room never felt properly cold. This is the classic symptom of a gradual gas leak.
Results
- Cooling fully restored: Air outlet temperature dropped from 26°C to 12°C within 10 minutes
- Room reaches 24°C set temperature in about 15 minutes — normal for a 1HP unit in a standard condo bedroom
- Frost on copper pipe gone: Pipe temperature now correct at 6-8°C (cool but not freezing)
- Compressor cycling normally: Inverter compressor ramping down once room reaches set temperature — efficient operation confirmed
Pricing Breakdown
- Diagnostic inspection: Included (free with repair)
- Schrader valve core + caps replacement: RM30
- Vacuum service: RM50
- R32 gas recharge: RM130
- Standard cleaning (filter, coil, drain): RM70
- Total: RM280
Cik Tan was pleased with the transparent pricing and the fact that we found and fixed the actual leak rather than just topping up the gas. She'd heard stories from friends who paid for gas top-ups that lasted only a few months because the leak was never addressed.
Customer Feedback
"I really appreciate that Syafiq took the time to find the leak and explain everything to me. He even showed me the old valve cap — the rubber was completely cracked. The aircond is cooling perfectly again, and I feel confident the fix will last. Very fair pricing too. Will recommend Total Aircond to my neighbours!"
— Cik Tan Wei Ling, Sri Petaling
Aircond Not Cold? Could Be Low Gas.
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