Refrigerant Circuit With Refrigerant R1234YF, Detecting Leaks

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2024 Audi SQ5, 2024 Audi Q5 e, 2024 Audi Q5, 2023 Audi SQ5, and 2023 Audi Q5 e. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The refrigerant circuit can leak for example due to external damage by the use of unsuitable or contaminated refrigerant or due to unapproved materials in unsuitable components.
The small quantity of refrigerant escaping from minor leaks can be detected for example using an electronic leak detector or by introducing a leak detection additive into the refrigerant circuit. Electronic leak detectors can recognize leaks with refrigerant losses of less than 5 grams per year.

NOTE:

Use leak detectors designed for the type of refrigerant. Leak detectors for R12 refrigerant are not suitable for R1234yf, because these leak detectors do not always respond. Also leak detectors only for refrigerant R134a are not suitable for R1234yf because refrigerant R1234yf has a different chemical composition than R134a, so this leak detector will not respond or will only respond to a high concentration of refrigerant in the air. Refer to the Parts Information.