How to Detect Freon Leaks in Cars?
2 Answers
Visually inspect the car's air conditioning pipelines. Freon leaks in the car's air conditioning system usually show signs of oil seepage, which can indicate the presence of a leak. When not performing major disassembly of the air conditioning system, apply soapy water to various parts of the system. Bubbles will appear at the leakage points. Electronic leak detection is a new popular method in recent years. During detection, move the detection probe around areas where leaks are likely to occur.
I've been in the repair shop business for over a decade, and the basic steps for detecting car Freon leaks start with visual inspection: check all the joints, pipelines, and compressor of the AC system for oil stains or wet marks, which are common signs of refrigerant leakage. Then, you can use a soapy water test: spray soapy water on suspicious spots, and if bubbles appear, it indicates a leak. A more professional method is to scan the entire area with an electronic leak detector, which can detect subtle leaks, especially useful after a pressure test. If the leak is hard to find, it's recommended to pressurize the entire system for further inspection or inject fluorescent dye and use a UV light to locate glowing spots after a few days. Common causes of leaks include aging seals, corroded pipelines, or physical abrasions, so it's important to avoid severe bumps while driving and have the AC system checked during regular maintenance. Leaks not only render the AC ineffective but can also damage the compressor, so early repairs save big money. After fixing, don't forget to vacuum and recharge with new refrigerant to ensure a good seal and prevent waste.
