How to find a leak in your car’s air conditioning
Learn how to use a dye kit to find a leak in your car’s air conditioning
Refrigerant leaks are the most common cause of car air conditioning problems. Finding the leak can be tricky if you don’t have access to an electronic leak detector. However, you can buy a fluorescent dye kit at most auto parts stores. This article will explore how to use a dye kit to find a leak in your car’s air conditioning system so you can fix it and get back to cool and comfortable.
A dye kit is a simple and effective tool for locating leaks in the AC system. The kit contains a UV-reactive dye. The dye is added to the AC system and circulates with the refrigerant. If there is a leak, the dye will escape with the refrigerant and can be detected using the UV light.
What you need to inject dye into your car AC system
If your car’s AC system is empty, remove the charging port valve and pour the dye directly into the system through the pressure port. However, if you have any refrigerant left in the system, you’ll need to buy or rent a dye injector tool or an aerosol can of the dye.
Aerosol dye
INTERDYNAMICs UVD1 5 Oz. Air Conditioner Leak Detector
INTERDYNAMICS UVD1 5 Oz. Air Conditioner Leak Detector Dye
The dye product is a ready-to-use car AC dye. The can contains 5 oz of dye, enough for 5 vehicles. The advantage of the aerosol kit is that you don’t need a dye injector. Just press it against the valve core of the low-pressure port, and it injects the dye. I found this at Walmart Online for $22.62. Other companies make an aerosol version, but most of the other brands package the dye with a stop-leak product, which you don’t want to add to your AC system.
You’ll still need a black light kit and safety glasses. Find those online or at any auto parts store. Aerosol applications of R-134a A/C system UV leak detection dye
Pour in AC dye
1 oz ac dye
For pour-in applications, buy a 1 0z bottle and use a valve core removal tool to add it to the high-pressure port.
Buy or rent a complete kit
You’ll need an injector tool if your car ac system still has refrigerant. Screw and adapter onto the injector hose and turn the knob to force the dye into the system.
Buy or rent an injector and a black light kit
Refill your car AC system with a full charge of refrigerant
Once you’ve injected the dye, fill the AC system to the proper pressure. Dye kits work best when the system is full.
Then, drive it for several days using the AC as much as possible. Park the car in your garage and close the garage door so sunlight doesn’t interfere with the next step.
Inspect the System with UV Light
Park the car in your garage and close the garage door so sunlight doesn’t interfere with the next step. Use the UV light to inspect the AC components. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from the UV light. Check all visible parts of the system, including the compressor, condenser, hoses, connections, and evaporator. Look for any bright, fluorescent dye which indicates the presence of a leak.
Check Less Accessible Areas
Some leaks may occur in less accessible areas, such as the evaporator core located inside the dashboard. If you suspect a leak in these areas, a more thorough inspection or professional assistance may be required. Purchase an inexpensive endoscope from amazon and snake it down into the ductwork to view the evaporator. If you can’t maneuver the camera through the duct, remove the blower motor resistor pack and try from that opening.
Here’s what a leaking suction port looks like under UV light
Endoscope kit from amazon
©, 2015 Rick Muscoplat
Posted on by Rick Muscoplat