Methods for Detecting Refrigerant Leaks in Air Conditioning Systems

[SanIvan]

Here are the methods for detecting leaks in automotive air conditioning systems: 1. Visual Inspection: When oil traces are observed at a certain point in the system, it may indicate a leakage point. Visual inspection is simple, cost-free, but has significant limitations. Unless there is a sudden large rupture in the system or the leakage involves a colored liquid medium, visual inspection often fails to locate the leak due to the typically minuscule size of leaks and the many hard-to-see areas in automotive air conditioning systems. 2. Soap Bubble Test: Fill the system with nitrogen, then apply soapy water to various parts of the system. Bubbles will form at leakage points. This is the most common leak detection method used by roadside repair shops, but it is limited by the reach of the human arm and visibility, often making it impossible to spot leaks. 3. Nitrogen Water Immersion Test: Fill the system with nitrogen and submerge it in water. Bubbles will emerge at leakage points. This method is essentially similar to the soap bubble test. While low-cost, it has notable drawbacks: water used for leak detection can enter the system, causing corrosion of internal materials. Additionally, high-pressure gas can potentially cause further damage to the system, and the labor intensity during testing is high, increasing maintenance costs. 4. Halogen Leak Detector: Light the detector and hold the air tube. When the tube opening approaches a leak, the flame color will turn purplish-blue, indicating significant leakage. This method involves open flames, which are not only hazardous but also produce harmful gases when combined with refrigerants. Moreover, it can be difficult to precisely locate the leak point.