Filling with fluorescent tracing agent and refrigerant: Regulations

Regulations

Filling the climate control system with fluorescent tracing agent and leak tracing using a UV lamp

NOTE: Check whether there is a decal in the engine compartment indicating that the car is filled with fluorescent tracing agent. See the general information, "Decal, fluorescent tracing agent".

NOTE: The coloring agent may discolor the car paintwork. Therefore extreme caution must be taken when handling the tracing agent.

NOTE: Carefully follow the manufacturers instructions when handling the UV lamp and the tracing agent.

The fluorescent tracing agent can be injected in the following cases:

when it is not possible to localize the leak using an electronic leak tracer
when replacing components
for leak tracing where tracing agent has not previously been used in the car
when replacing the compressor if tracing agent has previously been used in the car
when a majority of the components are replaced and tracing agent has previously been used in the car.

NOTE: When replacing components for example, do not forget to compensate for the amount of compressor oil in the climate control system. See Oil in the A/C system .

Fig 1: Filling With Fluorescent Tracing Agent And Refrigerant

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Valves closed
The cover for the injector/reservoir
Fluorescent tracing agent.

NOTE: After filling with the tracing agent, the decal supplied by the manufacturer or supplier must be applied at the point indicated. See the general information, Positioning the decal.

Filling with fluorescent tracing agent

When replacing a component in the climate control system, the component (for example the drier) can be filled with tracing agent.

Filling an empty climate control system with tracing agent when a leak cannot be localized

Add fluorescent tracing agent to the refrigerant according to the manufacturers instructions for leak tracing.

If the climate control system is filled

Drain the refrigerant. See Refrigerant, draining
Fill the climate control system with refrigerant and tracing agent according to the manufacturers instructions
Leak trace. See Leak tracing, fluorescent tracing agent/UV lamp .

If the amount of refrigerant in the climate control unit cannot be determined

Drain the climate control unit. See Refrigerant, draining
Fill the climate control system with refrigerant and tracing agent according to the manufacturers instructions
Leak trace. See Leak tracing, fluorescent tracing agent/UV lamp .

Injecting tracing agent

NOTE: On newer filling/draining/vacuum pumping stations there is a reservoir for injecting oil. It can be used for filling with fluorescent tracing agent before filling with refrigerant and after vacuum pumping.

Check that the valves on the draining/recycling station are closed when the vacuum pumping is completed after draining the refrigerant.

Fig 2: Filling With Fluorescent Tracing Agent And Refrigerant

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Close the valves on both side of the injector as shown.

Unscrew the cover on the injector

Pour in the tracing agent. One bottle in the reservoir

NOTE: Always inject exactly the right amount. Do not inject the tracing agent twice.

Screw on the cover, ensuring that it is secure

Begin filling with the refrigerant

Fig 3: Identifying Injector Valves

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Open the valves on the injector

Fill the refrigerant in the air conditioning (A/C) system with tracing agent.