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If the air conditioner in your vehicle is blowing hot air out when you turn it on, you may have a refrigerant leak. Since your air conditioning system is pretty big, finding the source of the leak can be difficult. This is where injecting UV dye comes in! By using a manifold gauge to inject ultraviolet dye into your AC system, you’ll have a much easier time spotting the leak by looking for spots where the fluorescent color leaks out. Keep in mind, this is not a beginner-level process, and you’re better off taking the vehicle to a mechanic if you don’t have experience working on your vehicle’s AC system.
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Tips
- The dye is inert, so you can actually add it to other systems in your vehicle to find leaks as well. For example, you could pour a little in the engine oil, coolant tank, or brake fluid lines to find out if you have any problems with those systems. [16] X Research sourceThanks
- Keep goggles, gloves, disposable towels, and a flashlight in the glove box or trunk of your car in case of emergency fixes or projects like this.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you aren’t mechanically inclined and you don’t have any experience working on AC lines or using a manifold gauge, you’re better off taking your vehicle to a mechanic. This is not an easy process, and diagnosing AC leaks can be kind of tricky. [17] X Research sourceThanks
- UV dye injection is also used by HVAC technicians to diagnose leaks in central air units. Unfortunately, you cannot do this yourself. HVAC refrigeration lines contain Freon, which is toxic. You also can’t fidget around with a central air system if you aren’t a qualified technician for safety reasons. [18] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a23081914/car-ac-myths-repair-r12-vs-r134s/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/J2e9ALeFOm4?t=35
- ↑ https://youtu.be/J2e9ALeFOm4?t=22
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a23081914/car-ac-myths-repair-r12-vs-r134s/
- ↑ https://tucson.com/news/local/east/diy-air-conditioning-recharging-isnt-worth-the-savings/article_9bbb36fb-3c26-52e8-9676-6270737e03f3.html
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a23081914/car-ac-myths-repair-r12-vs-r134s/
- ↑ https://trusthomesense.com/blog/3-tests-for-air-conditioner-refrigerant-leaks/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/QKmbO3rAd3Q?t=37
- ↑ https://youtu.be/QKmbO3rAd3Q?t=115
- ↑ https://youtu.be/EunuZwaAsKg?t=113
- ↑ https://youtu.be/EunuZwaAsKg?t=146
- ↑ https://youtu.be/FgCLGXTlim0?t=49
- ↑ https://youtu.be/tZn9hd3JyXo?t=31
- ↑ https://spectroline.com/tips-cleaning-avoiding-fluorescent-dye-spills/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/0u3ZYcxpFrI?t=56
- ↑ https://youtu.be/FgCLGXTlim0?t=69
- ↑ https://tucson.com/news/local/east/diy-air-conditioning-recharging-isnt-worth-the-savings/article_9bbb36fb-3c26-52e8-9676-6270737e03f3.html
- ↑ https://trusthomesense.com/blog/3-tests-for-air-conditioner-refrigerant-leaks/
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