1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

AC where and how to find refrigerant leaks

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lech auto air conditionin, Jul 28, 2020.

  1. lech auto air conditionin

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2011
    830
    601
    261
    Location:
    san francisco
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    This video just mentions a couple of places and points to find hard to find air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Some detailed video of locations to place your electronica refrigerant leak detecting probes to find leaks.




    Using UV trace dye inside air conditioning refrigerant is not the best or only method to find leaks it’s just another tool in the arsenal. The purpose for UV trace they will only find very large leaks instantly at the time it’s in the shop and it Hass to be a big leak. The true purpose for UV trace die is to find leaks that are difficult to find that take a long time to leak out or only leak when the vehicle is driving down the road vibrating or as contraction and expansion of metal and rubber components happen only when the vehicle is an operation and air-conditioning and use turned off and on many cycles before the link will appear this is where UV trace die is very beneficial.

    Using vacuum is extremely poor method and very unreliable to training to locate a leak.

    Using soap bubbles or specifically made high viscosity bubbling liquids just for refrigerant is ideal for easy to find constant leaks.

    Number one method is the use of a good high-quality heated diode electronically detector. Those old fashion corona discharge sensor type are very unreliable lots of false Triggering condemning parts that do not need to be replaced. Often missing leaks that are small because they are not sensitive enough and easily go out of calibration.

    Only true good leak detectors usually come with refrigerant calibration bottles for testing the sensitivity of the sensor on the leak detector these do not come with the cheaper brand leak detectors.
     
    PriusCamper likes this.
  2. Mo G

    Mo G Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    317
    98
    0
    Location:
    Dallas,Tx
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    What kind of refrigerant should be used? R134A?
     
  3. lech auto air conditionin

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2011
    830
    601
    261
    Location:
    san francisco
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Yes