The approach of summer, it is time to start thinking about the air conditioning system and our car is working properly. One of the most common problems with a system of A / C is leaking coolant and the location of them. Finding the source of the leak can be a tedious and time. The leak of Freon could literally anywhere in the piping system to a pressure accumulator to a small switch that has gone wrong.
The EPA has become much more stringent standards in the treatment of leakage of refrigerant. The closing days of the air conditioner with a few cans of R12 is long gone. Now, even small leaks must be found and corrected. Here is the technology to the rescue. There are several methods of air conditioning repair shops use to locate and repair leaks of refrigerant.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and its use depends on the situation. The three most common are an electronic leak detector refrigerant, UV Dye Kit leak detection, ultrasonic units and leak detector.
Refrigerant leak detectors electronic
Electronic refrigerant leak detectors are faster and easier to use all three methods. Most of the time you’ll have no idea where the coolant is leaking and must reduce the number of areas as possible. A refrigerant leak detector electronics, you can get very close to the location of the leak and then you can get more accuracy.
Some of the best models fit the sensitivity once it reaches the surface measured. For small leaks that may involve suspicious area in a film or a cloth to try to contain the refrigerant. Development of the region, as in the refrigerant leak and see if it gives a reading. Remember, the refrigerant is heavier than air and sink into the ground. It is better to sniff under the pipe and compartments in the search for her.
Ultrasonic leak detectors
It is the state of leak detectors and art are the new tools for finding refrigerant leaks. They operate on the principle of sound detection. Instead of inhaling refrigerant gas that we hear the sound it makes all the Freon gas escapes the system. To use a system of ultrasonic leak detection must be the pressure of the coolant to escape and make noise.
In addition, the region must be completely silent. Remember that you are looking for sounds and background noise is not essential. This is the main downside to using a ultrasonic leak detector. Very few shops are fairly quiet car to use it effectively.
Ultraviolet leak detection dye
This method of ultraviolet dye is injected into the third air conditioning system and, in theory, should escape with the refrigerant. Usually, a store of automakers have a kit for detecting leakage of ultraviolet radiation has all the tools necessary to accomplish this task. In general, these kits come with ultraviolet lamp or ultraviolet light, an inkjet, goggles and UV dye.
This method is technically more complex and more than three dirty. You must provide ultraviolet fluid in the system and wait for it to leak. The dye can be messy and get everywhere. It puts you in the A / C, the collector coolant and you. But once the glow of his flashlight UV leak detection, in general, you can see exactly where you are.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. For beginners, I recommend an electronic refrigerant leak detector and a professional garage would be better served with a leak detection kit UV.