How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant leaks occur when the seals, hoses or other components in your vehicle's air conditioning system no longer withstand the pressure in the system. These leaks are sometimes difficult to find, but with the new refrigerant dyes, even small leaks are detected easily. Professional technicians have been using this method of leak detection for years to supplement expensive leak detection equipment, and it has now become the preferred way to find a leak in many shops.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Air conditioning gauge set
- Can of refrigerant with leak detection dye
- UV light
Instructions
-
-
1
Attach the air conditioning gauge set to the vehicle service fittings. Refer to your service manual for exact locations for your vehicle. As a rule, the low-pressure fitting is located on the accumulator near the firewall. Attach the blue hose of the gauge set to this fitting. The high-pressure fitting is located on the small line located between the condenser, at the front of the vehicle, and the evaporator, behind the firewall. Attach the red hose of the gauge set to this fitting. The yellow hose on the gauge set is the service line.
-
2
Attach the can tap that is supplied with the gauge set to the yellow service hose. Attach a can of refrigerant with leak detection dye to the can tap. Close both valves on the air conditioning gauge set. Turn the thumbscrew of the can tap all the way in, to pierce the can, and all the way out to open the can.
-
-
3
Start the vehicle and turn the air conditioning on high. Open the blue valve on the gauge set and, holding the can upside down, empty the refrigerant and dye into the system. When the can of refrigerant is empty, close the blue valve on the gauge set.
-
4
Test drive the vehicle for a few miles to circulate the dye through the system. Leave the air conditioning system set for high so that the compressor runs.
-
5
Inspect for leaks. Any place the system has a leak, the dye will show up under the UV light. Common locations of leaks are seals in fittings and connections, the compressor and the condenser.
-
1
