FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Home >> Mercury >> 1992 >> Sable V6-232 3.8L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Heating and Air Conditioning >> Testing and Inspection >> Component Tests and General Diagnostics >> Component Tests >> Manual Climate Control >> Checking For Leaks

Checking For Leaks






Attach the manifold gauge set. Leave both manifold gauge valves at the maximum clockwise (closed) position. Both gauges should show approximately 413-551 kPa (60-80 psi) at 24° C (75° F) with engine not running. If very little or no pressure is indicated, leave the vacuum pump valve closed, open the Refrigerant-12 tank valve, and set the low-pressure (suction) manifold gauge valve to the counterclockwise position. This opens the system to tank pressure.

WARNING: Good ventilation is necessary in the area where A/C leak testing is to be done. If the surrounding air is contaminated with refrigerant gas, the leak detector will indicate this gas all the time. Odors from other chemicals such as antifreeze, diesel fuel, disc brake cleaner or other cleaning solvents can cause the same concern. A fan, even in a well ventilated area, is very helpful in removing small traces of air contamination that might affect the leak detector.

Check all system connections, the compressor head gasket and shaft seal for leaks, using a good leak detector. Pass the leak detector along the underside of all points being checked. Refrigerant is heavier than air and will show most readily in those locations

Electronic Leak Detector:






ELECTRONIC LEAK DETECTOR
The electronic leak detector is operated by moving the control switch to the ON position. The detector automatically calibrates itself when it is turned on. Move the probe approximately 25 mm (1 inch) per second in the suspected area. When escaping refrigerant gas is located, the ticking/beeping signal will increase in ticks/beeps per second. If the gas is relatively concentrated the signal will be increasingly shrill. Follow the instructions included with the detector to improve handling and operating techniques.


LEAK TRACER DYE
Rotunda Fluoro-Lite 112-00027 or equivalent may also be used to detect refrigerant leaks. With the tracer dye in the system, use Rotunda Ultraviolet lamp 112-00021 or equivalent to find the leak or leaks. The tracer dye will glow a bright yellow/green color at the point of refrigerant leakage when the light is directed toward the leak. If the system pressure is above 60 psi, there is no need to add refrigerant to the system for this operation.

Tracer Dye Injector:






Rotunda Fluoro-Lite tracer dye may be introduced into the A/C system using Rotunda A/C Tracer Dye Injector 112-00028 or equivalent. Inject the dye and check for leaks as follows:
1. Close the valve on the dye injector.
2. Connect the hose end of the dye injector to the system low pressure gauge port valve. Tighten securely.
3. Close both valves on the gauge manifold set and connect the center hose to a charging cylinder. Leave the center hose loose at the gauge manifold. Momentarily open the charging cylinder valve to purge air out of the center hose, then tighten the center hose at the gauge manifold connection. Close the valve on the charging cylinder.
4. Connect the gauge manifold low pressure hose to the dye injector, leaving the connection at the gauge manifold loose.
5. Open the dye injector valve to allow the A/C system pressure to purge the air from the dye injector reservoir and the low pressure hose to the gauge manifold. Tighten the hose connection at the gauge manifold. Close the valve on the dye injector.
6. Remove the reservoir cap from the top of the dye injector and fill the reservoir with 1/4 ounce of Fluoro-Lite tracer dye.

CAUTION: Do not overfill.

7. Replace the reservoir cap and tighten securely.
8. Open the valve on the charging cylinder then open the manifold gauge low pressure valve. Open the valve on the dye injector for 5 to 10 seconds to allow the dye to be forced into the A/C system. Close the dye injector valve. Close the manifold gauge low pressure valve and the valve on the charging cylinder.
9. Start the engine and operate the A/C system at MAX to stabilize the system (approximately 10-15 minutes).
10. Shut OFF the engine.
11. Disconnect all the hoses slowly to dissipate any residual refrigerant pressure that may be present.

Ultraviolet Lamp:






12. Using a Rotunda Ultraviolet Lamp 112-00021 or equivalent, check the system for leaks. The tracer dye will glow a bright yellow/green when the ultraviolet light hits it.

NOTE: Periodically lubricate the reservoir valve stem with refrigerant oil.
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