Finding Leaks Via Vacuum Test Using A/C Service Station Or With Pressure Test
All Vehicles
Danger or Frostbite Due to Refrigerant Coming out Under Pressure
Frostbite on the Skin and Other Parts of the Body Is Possible
- Wear safety gloves.
- Wear protective eyewear.
- Extract refrigerant and open the refrigerant circuit immediately.
- If more than 10 minutes elapse after extracting the refrigerant and the refrigerant circuit was not opened, extract the refrigerant again. Pressure can develop in the refrigerant circuit due to evaporation.
-- Switch off the ignition.
- Finding leaks via vacuum test using A/C Service Station or with pressure test. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, EVACUATING .
Small leaks (less than 100 g (3.5 oz) of refrigerant loss per year) are not often detected with the vacuum test or with the pressure test. The incoming air or the amount of nitrogen flowing out is too small to be able to locate the faulty location based on noise.
Leaks on the refrigerant circuit that are greater than 100 g (3.5 oz) of refrigerant loss each year are also not always detectable with the vacuum test or with the pressure test, depending on the ambient conditions (ambient noise, leak location etc.). The incoming air and the quantity of nitrogen flowing out is currently too small to detect any noise and locate the faulty location.
Larger leaks on the refrigerant circuit (for example an impact from a rock on the condenser, greater than 100 g (3.5 oz) of seeping refrigerant per year) can be detected for example from noise, using the vacuum test or the pressure test. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, EVACUATING .
-- Perform the vacuum or pressure test. Refer to Additional procedure, if a leak is detected when evacuating: .