How to Check for Car Air Conditioning Leaks?
2 Answers
Methods to check for car air conditioning leaks: 1. Soap water leak detection: Fill the system with nitrogen at 10 to 20 kg/cm² pressure, then apply soapy water to various parts of the system. Bubbles will appear at the leak points. 2. Nitrogen water leak detection: Fill the system with nitrogen at 10 to 20 kg/cm² pressure and immerse the system in water. Bubbles will indicate the leak points. 3. Halogen lamp leak detection: Light the leak detection lamp and hold the air tube of the halogen lamp. When the tube opening is near a leak point in the system, the flame color will turn purple-blue, indicating a significant leak. 4. Gas differential pressure leak detection: Utilize the pressure difference inside and outside the system, amplify the pressure difference through a sensor, and express the leak detection result in digital, sound, or electronic signal form. This method can only qualitatively determine whether the system is leaking but cannot accurately locate the leak point.
I've been driving for over 20 years and encountered air conditioning leaks at least five or six times. What I remember most clearly was that summer road trip when the AC suddenly started cooling poorly. Feeling lukewarm air from the vents immediately suggested a possible leak. When checking, I always start by running the engine at maximum fan speed for a while, then listening for hissing sounds in the engine compartment. Then I pop the hood to inspect pipe connections near the compressor and condenser - oil stains or rust often indicate leak points. I spray soapy water on these areas, and rising bubbles confirm the leak. More professional methods include electronic leak detectors or adding fluorescent dye, using UV light to pinpoint bright spots that reveal leak sources precisely. Once identified, take it to a repair shop immediately for sealing and refrigerant recharge - delaying could mean total system failure costing much more. Routine maintenance should include cleaning the pipes, which saves a lot of trouble, especially for older vehicles that need regular AC condition checks.
