How to find auto ac Freon leaks

Still snowing in your area? When it warms up you may want to know how to find auto ac freon leaks. This would be one of the most common problems causing the Ac to blow warm after a long winter of not using it.
 

A dirty sticky spot on an ac line or fitting should catch your attention. The Freon contains the oil charge necessary to lubricate the compressor.

The presence of oil around and AC fitting or line is a strong indication of freon leaking. My first step in most auto repairs including auto AC leak diagnosis is to perform a solid visual inspection of the entire system.

Although this is always my first step for diagnosing Freon leaks it is not always effective in finding the problem.

In fact, this visual inspection will only uncover large to extremely large leaks. And by far the most common car AC problem would be small leaks that allow Freon to escape over long periods of time.

Most auto repair shops employ a refrigerant leak detection method know as a fluorescent dye tracer system. These are inexpensive and great for finding stubborn leaks. The kits usually come with enough supplies to perform the leak check on many vehicles.

To find refrigerant leaks using the fluorescent tracer system, you first have to install the fluorescent dye into the air-conditioning system. Always follow the instructions and do not install too much dye! It can reduce overall system efficiency.

These kits come with an injection device to push the dye into the lines. After circulating it you then put on your yellow glasses and look for traces of the dye and Freon mix leaking out. I have more information on these types of ac leak detection devices.

The worst injuries I have seen involving auto ac repair and refrigeration service is when automotive technicians get liquid Freon in their eyes. The liquid refrigerant will actually freeze the eyeball and cause frostbite damage to the eye surface. For god sakes wear safety glasses when working around refrigerant. The damage to your eyes in most cases would be permanent and could leave you blind.

Freon can also cause frostbite damage to the surface of exposed skin. For God sakes wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and also protective gloves.

If you should come in contact with liquid Freon, The best advice is to run the affected area under cool water for 15 minutes and then seek immediate medical attention.

You don’t have to be afraid to attempt Diy ac repairs as long as you think it through first and realize the possible complications of your actions.

Example: If you undo a fitting that has 100 psi of Freon pressure, chances for injury are high. If you recover the Freon first and open the fitting with no pressure present in the ac system (confirmed with a connected manifold gauge) injury would be near impossible.

Auto ac Freon leaks can be an expensive repair at specialty shops during peak demand (summer). People with some experience in the driveway can often solve issues causing the ac to blow warm air. I’m a strong believer that it is easier to fix something when you understand how it works.

The car AC section of my other website YouFixCars.com has about 8 pages of pictures and training on this subject. You will also find products and parts to help in the diagnosis and repair of your auto ac freon leaks. This next link will take you to the automotive air-conditioning education pages.

Find more information about the business of car repairs and the most recent posts on the blog for online auto repair