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08:00AM - 8:00PM

A/C Leak Inspection

Objective: To provide a detailed and efficient procedure for inspecting and diagnosing leaks in a car's air conditioning system, ensuring proper function and longevity of the system.


Tools and Materials Needed:

  • UV dye and UV light

  • Refrigerant leak detector (electronic sniffer)

  • Soap and water solution

  • Safety glasses and gloves

  • Manifold gauge set

  • Nitrogen gas and regulator

  • Vacuum pump


Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Preparation (10 minutes)

  1. Ensure Safety (5 minutes)
  • Explanation: Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect against refrigerant exposure.

  • Image: Technician wearing PPE (safety glasses and gloves).

  1. Locate Service Ports (5 minutes)
  • Explanation: Identify and access the high and low-pressure service ports of the AC system.

  • Image: Close-up of AC service ports.

2. Visual Inspection (15 minutes)

  1. Inspect AC Components (15 minutes)
  • Explanation: Visually inspect the compressor, condenser, evaporator, hoses, and fittings for signs of oil residue, which indicates potential leaks.

  • Image: Technician visually inspecting AC components.

3. Using UV Dye (30 minutes)

  1. Inject UV Dye (10 minutes)
  • Explanation: Add UV dye to the AC system through the low-pressure port and run the AC for 15-20 minutes to circulate the dye.

  • Image: UV dye being injected into the AC system.

  1. Check for Leaks with UV Light (20 minutes)
  • Explanation: Use a UV light to inspect all AC components and connections for glowing dye, which indicates a leak.

  • Image: Technician using UV light to inspect AC components.

4. Using Electronic Leak Detector (20 minutes)

  1. Operate Leak Detector (20 minutes)
  • Explanation: Use the electronic refrigerant leak detector to scan all AC components and connections for escaping refrigerant.

  • Image: Technician using an electronic leak detector around AC components.

5. Using Soap and Water Solution (10 minutes)

  1. Apply Soap Solution (10 minutes)
  • Explanation: Spray a soap and water solution on connections, hoses, and fittings. Look for bubbles forming, which indicates a leak.

  • Image: Soap and water solution being applied to an AC connection.

6. Pressure Testing with Nitrogen (40 minutes)

  1. Remove Refrigerant (5 minutes)
  • Explanation: Safely recover the refrigerant from the AC system using a recovery machine.

  • Image: Refrigerant being recovered from the AC system.

  1. Pressurize System with Nitrogen (10 minutes)
  • Explanation: Connect a nitrogen tank to the low-pressure port and pressurize the system to 150 psi.

  • Image: Nitrogen tank connected to AC system.

  1. Check for Leaks (20 minutes)
  • Explanation: Listen for hissing sounds and apply soap solution to detect leaks. Monitor the pressure gauge for any pressure drop.

  • Image: Technician monitoring pressure gauge.

  1. Release Nitrogen (5 minutes)
  • Explanation: Safely release the nitrogen from the system after the inspection.

  • Image: Nitrogen being safely released from the AC system.

7. Vacuum Test (20 minutes)

  1. Connect Vacuum Pump (5 minutes)
  • Explanation: Connect a vacuum pump to the low-pressure port and evacuate the system for at least 15 minutes.

  • Image: Vacuum pump connected to AC system.

  1. Monitor Vacuum (15 minutes)
  • Explanation: Close the vacuum pump valves and monitor the system for 15 minutes. If the vacuum holds steady, the system is likely free of leaks.

  • Image: Technician monitoring vacuum gauge.

8. Final Steps (10 minutes)

1. Reintroduce Refrigerant (10 minutes)

  • Explanation: Recharge the AC system with the correct amount of refrigerant as per the manufacturer's specifications.

  • Image: Technician recharging AC system with refrigerant.

Total Time Required

2 hours 35 minutes

Safety and Quality Assurance

  • Ensure the work area is well-ventilated.

  • Follow all safety guidelines when handling refrigerants and pressurized gases.

  • Properly dispose of any old refrigerant and materials used during the inspection.

By following this SOP, you ensure a thorough and professional inspection of the car's AC system for leaks, maintaining optimal performance and customer satisfaction.

AntonAutomobile #AbuDhabi #antondetailmycar

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