Checking for refrigerant leaks (Opel Insignia A)

Note.

• General Motors vehicles already fill their air conditioning systems with fluorescent dye at the factory.
• Directive 2006/40/EC: If a large amount of refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system, appropriate repair procedures must be carried out before the system is recharged with refrigerant.

Fluorescent compound and polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oils are in the air conditioning 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 the refrigerant.

Fluorescent leak detection method

Fluorescent dye helps to detect the location of any leak in the air conditioning system.

Note: Polyalkylene glycol oils are water soluble.

Condensation on the evaporator core or refrigerant lines can wash away PAG oil and fluorescent dye from the leak site and drain out of the vehicle through the air conditioning unit drain channels.

Refrigerant leaks in the air conditioning system appear 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 conditioning compressor shaft seal.
• Air conditioning system pressure hoses and sensors.
• Drain pipe of the air conditioning unit if leaks are present on the evaporator core.
• Service port caps with primary seals.

You should follow the lamp manufacturer's instructions for detecting leaks.



To prevent future misdiagnosis, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the dye residue from the leak detection area. You can do this using a rag and a special cleaning agent.

Introduction of fluorescent dye into the system

Note: Use only General Motors approved fluorescent dye.

Not all types of fluorescent dyes are compatible with PAG oils. Some of them reduce the viscosity of the oil or enter into a chemical reaction with it.

Note: Do not overfill the air conditioning system with dye.

R-134A leak detection dye requires a certain amount of time to work. Depending on the size of the leak, it may take anywhere from 15 minutes to 7 days for the dye to become visible.

To prevent future misdiagnosis, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the dye residue from the leak detection area. You can do this using a rag and a special cleaning agent.

Halogen leak detection lamp

Caution: Do not use the lamp in a flammable environment as its operating temperature is very high and may cause injury and/or damage to equipment.

Ensure that there is at least 0.45 kg of refrigerant in the air conditioning system to perform the leak detection procedure.

Note.

The leak detection lamp may incorrectly detect the following materials:

• Some adhesives used in automobiles.
• Many solvents and cleaning agents.
• Windshield washer fluid.

(Text copied from this portal: OPELBOOK.ru)


Clean and dry all surfaces to prevent misdiagnosis.

Note: It is necessary to search along a continuous route to ensure that no leak is missed. Check all areas of the system for leaks.

Follow the instructions included with the leak detection lamp.

Leak detection using nitrogen

If leak testing with fluorescent dye or a halogen lamp is not possible, leak detection can be performed using nitrogen. This procedure requires a nitrogen leak detection kit.

Nitrogen escaping from the leak site is detected using a soap solution or special sprays, forming bubbles.