Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Detecting leaks in refrigerant circuit
 Note
| Different processes are described in this workshop manual
for leak detection in the refrigerant circuit. These processes
have been tested and lead to a positive result under the
different conditions of use if the application is carried out
correctly and in accordance with the complaint. |
| When leak detection using compressed air/nitrogen or vacuum
does not produce results, use electronic leak detector or UV
leak detector additive. |
| Small leaks can be detected with, for example, an electronic
leak detector or a UV leak detector lamp. |
| A wide range of processes are offered on the open market for
finding leaks in refrigerant circuits. These processes do not
always produce conclusive results. If they are not used
precisely according to the specifications, they may even cause
components of the refrigerant circuit to develop leaks where
there were none before. Furthermore, certain processes can cause
preliminary or permanent damage to the components of the
refrigerant circuit |
| Components that are found to be leaking must not be
repaired. They have to be replaced with genuine parts. |
| A leaking refrigerant circuit must not be charged with
refrigerant, therefore evacuate an empty refrigerant circuit and
check for leaks before charging the system with refrigerant
→ Chapter. |
Caution
| If there is evidence to suggest that chemical
substances have been added in the vehicle to seal leaks,
do not connect the air conditioner service station and
do not extract the refrigerant. |
| Chemical substances used to seal leaks form deposits
in the refrigerant circuit. These can impair the
function of the air conditioning system and cause the
air conditioning system (and your air conditioner
service station) to fail. |
| Make your customer aware of the fact that there are
substances in his/her air conditioning system that do
not have VW approval. This air conditioning system
cannot be drained or repaired by you. |
|
Note
| Volkswagen rejects the use of chemical substances for
purposes of sealing leaks in refrigerant circuits. |
| Chemical substances used for sealing leaks in refrigerant
circuits often react with the surrounding air and the humidity
contained within. They cause deposits to build up in the
refrigerant circuit (and your air conditioner service station),
valves to malfunction and defects in other components with which
they come into contact. These deposits cannot be completely
removed from the components (not even by purging). |
| It is often not possible to detect from the outside whether
chemical substances have been used to seal leaks in the
refrigerant circuit. The adhesive label that serves to identify
its use can usually not be found. Therefore, exercise caution
when working on vehicles for which you have no service or repair
record. |
| Containers or tanks are offered as accessories on the open
market that are designed to separate these chemical substances
(to seal leaks). Since Volkswagen rejects the use of these
substances, no statement can be made at this point regarding the
effectiveness and separation rate of these filters. |
|
Note
If it becomes necessary to drain the air conditioner service
station (e.g. because contaminated refrigerant was extracted),
all filters and ...
Note
A leak in the refrigerant circuit can be detected, for
example, by pressurising the circuit to a maximum of 15 bar
using cleaned and dr ...
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Draining air conditioner service station
Leak detection in refrigerant circuit using compressed air or nitrogen