Note.
- General Motors vehicles are already factory-filled with fluorescent dye refrigerant for automotive air conditioning systems.
- Directive 2006/40/EC: If a large amount of refrigerant leaks from the air conditioning system, appropriate repair procedures must be carried out before the system is charged with refrigerant.
Fluorescent composition and poly (alkylene glycol) (PAG) oils are charged into the A/C system, so many refrigerant leaks can be detected with a halogen lamp.
After flushing the air conditioning system, it is necessary to add fluorescent dye when charging refrigerant.
Fluorescent leak detection method
The fluorescent dye helps locate any leak in the A/C system.
Note. Polyalkylene glycol oils are water soluble.
Condensation on the evaporator core or refrigerant lines can wash the oil PAG and fluorescent dye from the leak and out of the vehicle through the air conditioner unit drains.
Refrigerant leaks in the air conditioning system are displayed in light green or yellow when using an ultraviolet lamp.
The leak detection lamp can be used in the following areas:
- All connections or connectors with sealing washers or rings.
- All components of the air conditioning system.
- Air conditioner compressor shaft seal.
- Hoses and pressure sensors of the air conditioning system.
- Air conditioning unit drain pipe if leaks are present on the evaporator core.
- Service port caps with primary seals.
Leak detection lamp manufacturer's instructions must be followed.
In order to prevent misdiagnosis in the future, it is necessary to carefully clean the residual dye from the area where the leak is detected. To do this, you can use a rag and a special cleaning agent.
Introduction of a fluorescent dye into the system
Note. Use only fluorescent dye approved by General Motors.
Not all types of fluorescent dyes are compatible with PAG oils. Some of them reduce the viscosity of the oil or react chemically with it.
Note. Do not overfill the air conditioning system with dye.
The R-134A refrigerant leak detection dye requires a certain amount of time to work. Depending on the size of the leak, it takes from 15 minutes to 7 days for the dye to become visible.
In order to prevent misdiagnosis in the future, it is necessary to carefully clean the residual dye from the area where the leak is detected. To do this, you can use a rag and a special cleaning agent.
Halogen Leak Detection Lamp
Attention. Do not use the lamp in a flammable environment as its operating temperature is very high and may cause personal injury and/or equipment damage.
Verify that there is at least 0.45 kg of refrigerant in the A/C system to carry out the leak detection procedure.
Note.
The leak detection lamp may erroneously detect the following materials:
- Some adhesives used in the car.
- Many solvents and cleaners.
- Windshield washer fluid.
Clean and dry all surfaces to prevent misdiagnosis.
Note. It is necessary to search along a continuous path to exclude the possibility of missing a possible leak. Check all parts of the system for leaks.
Follow the instructions supplied with the leak lamp.
Leak detection with nitrogen
If checking for leaks with a fluorescent dye or halogen lamp is not possible, the leak can be checked with nitrogen. For this procedure, you will need a nitrogen leak detection kit.
Nitrogen escaping at the leak is detected using a soap solution or special sprays, forming bubbles.
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