Checking the air conditioner in the car for a leak with your own hands
Content
If it is not possible to check the air conditioner leak with auto dye, it is better to buy a detector. A sensitive sensor is built into the device, which allows you to catch the loss of freon up to 2 grams. in year. The device must be brought to the zone of a possible malfunction, and then wait for a signal on the display. Modern models not only confirm the problem, but also determine the type of leak.
The problem with freon occurs due to the constant vibrations of the car. The tightness of the system is broken over time, and it is important to notice this in order to check the air conditioner in the car for a leak on your own, fix the gap and get by with little money.
Visual inspection
The refrigerant has no color, and therefore it is impossible to detect a problem without special devices. The driver in this case can only focus on the "symptom" - the device in the car cools worse.
Autoconditioner check
When visually checking the air conditioner in the car for a leak, you yourself need to pay attention not to freon smudges, but to oil - the substance is added along with the refrigerant (to process the compressor).
Home check
You can independently check the air conditioner in the car for a leak using special equipment. This is a detector or dye and a lamp. At home, you can also study the performance of the system by measuring the pressure in the circuit.
Tools and materials
One way to test the air conditioner in a car for leaks yourself is to pour dye into the tubes and shine it on a UV lamp. This is an old and reliable method. Leaks should be looked for after 5 minutes. after continuous operation of the device.
If it is not possible to check the air conditioner leak with auto dye, it is better to buy a detector. A sensitive sensor is built into the device, which allows you to catch the loss of freon up to 2 grams. in year. The device must be brought to the zone of a possible malfunction, and then wait for a signal on the display. Modern models not only confirm the problem, but also determine the type of leak.
This method of checking for a leak in a car air conditioner is time-consuming - for the operation it is necessary to clean the system of freon, and then fill the tubes with nitrogen or a gas that creates a higher pressure. The driver is required to wait approximately 15 minutes to see if there has been a change. If it drops, then there is a network leak. Next, you need to apply the detector to determine the exact problem area.
Car air conditioner
The set of equipment for diagnostics consists of valves connected to hoses and an air conditioning filling system. Having installed everything in the right order, it is possible to form a vacuum - then you can check the pressure.
What not to do
You need to work strictly according to the instructions so as not to violate the integrity of the structure.
Prohibited:
- Refuel freon "by eye". There must be a certain amount of substance in the system - this information is indicated in the instructions for the car or on a sticker under the hood.
- Check the air conditioner in the car for air leakage.
- When replacing the radiator, replace the old gaskets - the parts have already lost their shape and are unsuitable for reuse. When installing damaged elements, it is impossible to achieve tightness - freon will leave.
- Charge the system with a refrigerant and oil that is not specified by the manufacturer. The composition of the product is different and may not be suitable for a vehicle of a certain year of manufacture.
- Pour liquids into the system without vacuuming - otherwise unnecessary moisture will accumulate and the device will fail.
Subject to the rules and safety measures, the operation of checking the air conditioner in a car for a leak on its own will not take more than two hours.
Video: how to fix the problem yourself
The best way to achieve the desired result is to see how it works with an example. If there was no experience of checking freon leakage from a car air conditioner at home before, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the video instruction before starting the inspection.
This will help to avoid mistakes and carry out the procedure correctly.
