Methods for Detecting Refrigerant Leaks in Air Conditioning Systems

[CassandraFitz]

Here are the methods for detecting leaks in automotive air conditioning systems: Visual Inspection: When oil traces are found at a certain point in the system, it may indicate a leak. Visual inspection is simple, cost-free, but has significant limitations. Unless there is a sudden large fracture in the system or the leakage involves a colored liquid medium, visual inspection often fails to pinpoint leaks due to their typically minuscule size and the inaccessibility of many parts of the automotive air conditioning system. Soap Bubble Test: Fill the system with nitrogen, then apply soapy water to various parts of the system. Bubbles will form at the leak points. This is the most common leak detection method used by roadside repair shops. However, it is limited by the reach of the human arm and visibility, making it difficult to detect leaks in many cases. Nitrogen Water Test: Fill the system with nitrogen and submerge it in water. Bubbles will appear at the leak points. This method is essentially the same as the soap bubble test. Although low-cost, it has significant drawbacks: water used in the test can enter the system, causing corrosion of internal materials. Additionally, high-pressure gas may further damage the system, and the labor intensity during testing increases maintenance costs. Halogen Leak Detector: Light the leak detector and hold the air tube near the suspected leak. If the flame turns purple-blue, it indicates a significant leak. This method involves open flames, which are not only hazardous but also produce harmful gases when combined with refrigerant. Moreover, it is challenging to accurately locate the leak.