S15/T15 Sonoma P/U 2WD L4-2.2L VIN 5 Flex Fuel (2001)
Refrigerant: Technical Service Bulletins
A/C - Factory Added Leak Detection Dye
File In Section: 01 - HVAC
Bulletin No.: 00-01-38-009A
Date: June, 2001
INFORMATION
Subject:
Refrigerant Dye Added to A/C System at Assembly Plant
Models:
All 2001 Passenger Cars
2002 Chevrolet Tracker
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2002 Tracker to the models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-01-38-009 (Section 01 - HVAC).
One of the most effective ways to detect a leak in an air conditioning system is with the use of a fluorescent leak detection dye. Leak detection (also
known as AKA refrigerant) dye was added to the A/C system during assembly for all 2001 model year passenger cars. and at start of production for the
2002 Chevrolet Tracker.
During the 2001 model year passenger car production, the dye was phased into the assembly plants in the early part of the production year. In order to
identify which vehicles may contain refrigerant dye, look at the A/C charge label.
Important:
Some vehicles, prior to the introduction of the revised label, may have the dye. To identity this population of vehicles during A/C service, check the
build month of the vehicle. The vehicle certification label on the driver's door has a month and year printed on it. If the month is November 2000, or
greater, the vehicle has refrigerant dye added to the system.
The new A/C charge label (when available) will have "CONTAINS REFRIGERANT DYE" on the label. The Tracker label will have "NOTICE AIR
CONDITIONING" Use only R-134a Refrigerant and Polyalklene Glycol oil (PAG oil) with dye. System Charge: X.XX kg (X.XX lbs).
Additional refrigerant dye for leak detection is not required. The dye is added to the system at the assembly plant and will remain there unless removed
during a flushing process, at which time the dye should have been replaced. The dye mixes with the refrigerant Oil, not with the R-134 refrigerant.
Important:
There are some important points to remember about refrigerant dye:
^
Although the dye is non-toxic and water soluble, you may wish to wear rubber gloves. This will prevent your hands from "glowing" in the
presence of ultraviolet (UV) light.
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Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with a dye cleaner (or a lot of soap and water) before entering the vehicle, or touching other underhand
components, is recommended. If refrigerant dye gets on your hands, it will transfer to anything you touch.
^
Refrigerant oil will stain the paint of anything it comes in contact with and the refrigerant dye will highlight the stain.
^
To clean the area around the fittings and leak areas, use J 43872, a R-134a Leak Dye Cleaner (available from Kent Moore, 1-800-345-2233).
Detecting the Leak Area
To perform refrigerant leak testing, you will need an ultraviolet lamp and yellow glasses. The recommended ultraviolet lamp and yellow glasses, which
have the correct photo spectrum required for usage with the refrigerant dye, are available from Kent Moore, J 42220, Leak Detection Lamp Kit.
When inspecting for a leak with the ultraviolet lamp, slowly pan the system with the beam of the lamp directed toward all possible leak areas. When a
leak is found, the dye when viewed through the yellow glasses and highlighted with the ultraviolet lamp, will glow a bright light greenish color.
After a repair is performed, the system and especially the repaired area, should be cleaned with the Leak Dye Cleaner (or a lot of water). Start and idle
the engine with the A/C system in the ON mode for 5 minutes, then recheck for leaks.
