What is an air conditioning leak diagnosis?
At some point during the useful life of most vehicles, the air conditioner may stop blowing cold. When this occurs, especially in warmer climates, an A/C diagnosis is needed right away.
How does an air conditioning leak happen?
This is a dreaded scenario and the first thing that comes to mind is dollar signs. This does not necessarily have to be the case. A/C systems may develop a leaky seal where one component connects to another, which can be fixed quickly, and recharged with refrigerant. To find out how severe a problem is, the technician will connect the air conditioning system to a specialized recover and vacuum machine, or a set of A/C test gauges. The readings will indicate if the refrigerant is charged (ull), and, if not, how large the leak he is searching for may be. This and other diagnostics tests are performed so you can understand why you A/C is not working, and decide whether to fix it, or not.
What are the symptoms of an air conditioning leak?
A/C refrigerant may slowly leak out of the system over days, weeks, or even years. Vehicle occupants may not realize there is a problem until the air conditioner does not produce the low temperatures they are accustomed to.
Can I drive with an air conditioning leak?
Driving a vehicle with a discharged A/C system will not cause further damage, however, over an extended time, other seals in the system can being to dry rot due to lack of lubrication from refrigerant and oil. In this situation, the repair will become very costly, as most of the system may need repair.
How often does the air conditioning system leak?
Air conditioner diagnostics are so common that many service shops are specialized in heating and A/C repair for motor vehicles. The chances of having the air conditioner serviced during a vehicle's lifetime is very high, but not typical before the 100,000-mile mark has been reached.
How is an air conditioning leak diagnosed?
Diagnosis of the air conditioning system requires advanced knowledge of air conditioning systems, and a good understanding of the relationship between temperature and pressure of a liquid and gas. A technician with proper training, and certification is required to repair an air conditioning system. Professional grade equipment is used to read high and low side pressure, and the technician must rely on hours of classroom and hands-on training to understand the readings, diagnose the faulty part, and recommend a repair. If a leak is suspected, the technician may place an ultraviolet (UV) dye in the A/C system, and check for leaks with a UV flashlight. Using this method, the leak is very obvious, and the diagnosis is proven as soon as the UV dye is detected on or around an air conditioning component. A helpful sign for technicians when diagnosing air conditioner leaks is a hissing noise, or obvious damage to air conditioning components.
What will be the outcome of an air conditioning system leak diagnosis?
Replacement of most air conditioning components requires complete evacuation of the air conditioning system with a refrigerant recovery machine. Once components are re-installed, the technician will remove all air from the system in preparation for recharging the system with new refrigerant. Once any leaky seals have been replaced, or if the system has been verified to hold pressure, the technician will evacuate and recharge the system with new refrigerant and oil.
RepairPal Recommendations for an air conditioning system leak
Refrigerant is environmentally harmful, and should never be released into the air. Instead, a proper refrigerant recovery machine must be used to protect the technician, and the environment. We do not recommend attempting to recharge the A/C system at home, as products available to consumers tend to contain substances that can cause damage to expensive refrigerant recovery equipment. Lastly, if your vehicle has not been converted from R12 to R134a refrigerant, the best time to have this service completed is when the air conditioning system is already being serviced.
What to look out for with an air conditioning system leak
Refrigerant is a dangerous chemical that can cause severe chemical burns to the skin and eyes if improperly handled, and discharging into the atmosphere will cause damage to the ozone. Refrigerant types are updated over time, and the appropriate type must be used. If there has been an update or conversion from an older refrigerant type, a label should be placed under the hood to make your technician aware of the change. Depending on location, it may be illegal for a technician to replace refrigerant without updating the A/C system to handle the newest type. Even if the air conditioner has a leak, the refrigerant may still be under pressure, and may cause injury if serviced improperly.
Can I diagnose an air conditioning system leak myself?
The air conditioning system is not serviceable without proper recovery and evacuation equipment, and attempting to release refrigerant into the air can result in severe chemical burns. Recharging the A/C system should be left to certified professionals, and is not considered a DIY job.