Check Refrigerant Leakage

REFRIGERANT

Check Refrigerant Leakage


DETECTING LEAKAGES WITH FLUORESCENT INDICATOR


CAUTION:
Never use fluorescent indicators as these may reduce the insulation resistance.

CHECK REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE USING ELECTRICAL LEAK DETECTOR


CAUTION:
Be careful of the following items so that inaccurate checks or misidentifications are avoided.
- Never allow refrigerant vapor, shop chemical vapors, cigarette smoke, or others around the vehicle.
- Always check refrigerant leakage in a low air flow environment so that refrigerant may not disperse when leakage occurs.
1.Connect recovery/recycling/recharging equipment (for HFC-134a) or manifold gauge to A/C service valve.
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2.Check that refregerant gas pressure is 345 kPa (3.5 kg/cm, 50 psi) or more when temperature is 16�C
(61�F) or more. When pressure is lower than the specified value, fully recover all refrigerant and then charge with refrigerant from the service can to the specified level.
NOTE:
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Leakages may not be detected if refregerant gas pressure is 345 kPa (3.5 kg/cm, 50 psi) or less when temperature is 16�
C (61�F) or less.
3.Clean area where refrigerant leakage check is performed, and check refrigerant leakage along all surfaces of pipe connections and A/C system components using electrical leak detector probe.

CAUTION:
- Even when a leakage point has been found, always continue and complete checking along all pipe connections and A/C system components for additional leakage.
- When a leakage is detected, clean leakage area using compressed air and check again.
- When checking leakage of cooling unit inside, always clean inside of drain hose so that the probe surface may not be exposed to water or dirt.
NOTE:
- Always check leakage starting from high-pressure side and continue to low-pressure side.
- When checking for leakage inside cooling unit, operate blower fan motor for 15 minutes or more at the maximum fan speed, and then insert electrical leak detector probe into drain hose and leave it inserted for 10 minutes or more.
- When disconnecting shut-off valve that is connected to A/C service valve, always evacuate remaining refrigerant so that misidentification can be avoided.
4.Repair or replace parts where refrigerant leakage is detected. (Leakage is detected but leakage location is unknown. GO TO 5.)
5.Start the vehicle and set A/C controller as shown below.
- A/C switch: ON
- Mode switch: Ventilation set
- Intake switch: Recirculation set
- Temperature setting: Full cold
- Blower motor speed: Maximum speed set
6.Operate A/C for 2 minutes or longer.
7.Stop the A/C. Check again for refrigerant leakage. GO TO 3.
NOTE:





- Start refrigerant leakage check immediately after the A/C is stopped.
- When refrigerant circulation is stopped, pressure on the lowpressure side rises gradually, and after this, pressure on the high-pressure side falls gradually.
- The higher the pressure is, the easier it is to find the refrigerant leakage.