Leak Test - Process Overview

CAUTION: Avoid breathing A/C Refrigerant-134a and lubricant vapor or mist. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose, and throat. To remove R-134a from the A1C system, use service equipment certified to meet the requirements of SAE J 2210 (R-134a recycling equipment). If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from refrigerant and lubricant manufactures.

CAUTION: R-134a service equipment or vehicle A/C systems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air. Some mixtures of air and R-134a have been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures are potentially dangerous and may result in fire or explosion causing injury or property damage. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from refrigerant and lubricant manufactures.

A refrigeration leak test should be performed on the system whenever a leak is suspected and after performing a service operation which disturbs the components, lines, or connections. Many methods and special tools are available for this purpose; however, no matter which tool is used, care and diligence are the biggest keys to success.

The vehicle must have at least 0.4536 kg. (1 lb) of refrigerant in the refrigeration system in order to perform a leak test.