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Technical Service Bulletins > < Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Leak Testing

Refrigerant Leak Testing


Note: 
General Motors vehicles are now manufactured with fluorescent dye installed directly into the air conditioning (A/C) system.


Note: 
Directive 2006/40/EC: If a higher amount of refrigerant escaped, the needed repair has to be accomplished before the air condition is filled with refrigerant (Article 6 section 3 and 3 chemicals climate protection order).

The fluorescent dye mixes and flows with the polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oil throughout the refrigerant system.

Verifying some passive leaks may require using a halogen leak detector, even though the A/C system contains fluorescent dye.

The only time adding additional fluorescent dye is required is after flushing the A/C system.

Fluorescent Leak Detector

Fluorescent dye will assist in locating any leaks in the A/C system.


Note:  PAG oil is water soluble.
•  Condensation on the evaporator core or the refrigerant lines may wash the PAG oil and fluorescent dye away from the actual leak. Condensation may also carry dye through the HVAC module drain.
•  Leaks in the A/C system will be indicated in a light green or yellow color when using the leak detection lamp.
  Use the leak detection lamp in the following areas:
  All fittings or connections that use seal washers or O-rings
  All of the A/C components
  The A/C compressor shaft seal
  The A/C hoses and pressure switches
  The HVAC module drain tube, if the evaporator core is suspected of leaking
  The service port sealing caps
  The sealing cap is the primary seal for the service ports.
•  Follow the instructions supplied with the detection lamp.
•  To prevent false diagnosis in the future, thoroughly clean the residual dye from any area where leaks were found. Use a rag and an approved fluorescent dye cleaner.

Fluorescent Dye Injection


Note: 
Use only fluorescent dye approved by General Motors.

•  Not all of the fluorescent dyes are compatible with PAG oil. Some types of dye decrease the oil viscosity or may chemically react with the oil.

Note:  Do NOT overcharge the A/C system with dye.
•  R-134A leak detection dye requires time to work. Depending upon the leak rate, a leak may not become visible for between 15 minutes and 7 days.
•  To prevent false diagnosis, thoroughly clean any residual dye from the service port with a rag and an approved fluorescent dye cleaner.

Halogen Leak Detector

Warning: Do not operate the detector in a combustible atmosphere since its sensor operates at high temperatures or personal injury and/or damage to the equipment may result.

Ensure that the vehicle has at least 0.45 kg (1 lb) of refrigerant in the A/C refrigeration system in order to perform a leak test. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .


Note: 
Halogen leak detectors are sensitive to the following items:
•  Some adhesives used in the vehicle
•  Many solvents and cleaners
•  Windshield washing solutions

Clean and dry all surfaces in order to prevent a false warning. Liquids will damage the detector.


Note: 
Follow a continuous path in order to ensure that you will not miss any possible leaks. Test all areas of the system for leaks.

Follow the instructions supplied with the halogen leak tester.

Leak Detection with Nitrogen

If a leak test with fluorescent leak detector nor halogen leak detector is not possible, then a leak test with nitrogen has to take place. Therefore the air condition leak detector nitrogen kit + has to be used.

The nitrogen escapes on a leak and with the use of soap sud or a special leak detection spray could be made visible due to upcoming bubbles.

Technical Service Bulletins > < Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test