How to fix car air conditioning leak?
Car air conditioner repair is essential when your car’s air conditioner does not function properly. This means that there is no cool air coming out, suspect of a possible motor damage (such as the fan for the cooling system) or worst, a leaking refrigerant. A refrigerant is a substance that is used in air conditioning systems that helps in creating a cool air. This substance can easily be changed into a gas or liquid when it passes through the different parts of the air conditioner. However, if there is a possible motor damage, the refrigerant will not be able to pass through the system and bring about its function. And if there is a leak in the system, without the refrigerant, only the fan will be able to function or that warm air will be expelled by the air conditioner and not the expected cool one. To detect and fix a leak, the following guidelines are to be followed for car air conditioner repair.
Step 1 – Check for Refrigerant Leak
Most professionals use TIF 5000 halogen automatic leak detector for any refrigerant leak detection in air conditioner and cooling systems. This is one of the newest ranges of gadgets that replaced the previous TIF HLD440 halogen leak detector, as it has an added circuit called the automatic ambient control. This control adjusts atmospheric ambient refrigerant and controls it as well.
Step 2 – Turn on TIF 5000
To make use of TIF 5000, its instructions are found in the label on the device. Turn TIF 5000 on and its red LED will light up. If it doesn’t light up, the battery might not be working well, so change the batteries immediately. The gadget does not need to be warmed up and can be immediately put into use. It is worth noting that if the LED does light up but you cannot hear the tone, replace its sensing tip at once.
Step 3 – Search for Possible Leaks
Search for possible refrigerant gas leaks in your vicinity. The device will then emit a beeping signal that indicates the presence of a halogen gas or refrigerant. However, if the area where you are searching is contaminated with refrigerant heavily, switch off the instrument and turn it back on, then resume your search for leaks. You will know that there is a high contamination in the area if there is a fast, high-pitched beep that you can hear from the machine.
Step 4 - Examine the Condenser Coils for Possible Leaks
Using the leak detector device, trace the coils of an exposed condenser to determine if there is any damage to it. Point the tip of the detector device near to the refrigerant cooling and piping coils. Check for any stains on the piping and controls as this indicates history of refrigerant leaks. Furthermore, a corroded coil can easily be damaged, and thus there will be leaks if these are not repaired. Once the spots where there are leaks are determined, seal it off with a sealant. However, if this is already beyond repair, change the coils or the condenser unit with a new one.
Remember that you are searching for a non-combustible gas, but still possesses hazard to the environment. So, there is no need for panic when high beeps or signals are heard from the device. It simply means that there is a positive leak in the air conditioning system. When the leak is found, it is best to remedy it at once.
