Condenser HVAC: Testing and Inspection
On-Vehicle Leak Test1. Discharge and recover the refrigerant.
2. Note: DO NOT leak test an A/C evaporator core with the suction
accumulator/drier attached to the core tubes.
Disconnect the suspect A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core from the A/C
system.
3. Clean the spring lock couplings.
4. Connect the appropriate test fittings from the A/C Test Fitting Set to the
evaporator or condenser tube connections.
5. Connect the red and blue hoses from the manifold gauge set to the test
fittings on the A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core. Connect the yellow
hose to a known good vacuum pump.
Note: The automatic shut-off valves on some gauge set hoses do not open when
connected to the test fittings. If available, use hoses without shut-off valves.
If hoses with shut-off valves are used, make sure the valve opens when attached
to the test fittings or install an adapter which will activate the valve. The
test is not valid if the shut-off valve does not open.
6. Open both gauge set valves and start the vacuum pump. Allow the vacuum pump to
operate for a minimum of 45 minutes after the gauge set low pressure gauge
indicates 101 kPa (30 in-Hg). The 45-minute evacuation is necessary to remove any
refrigerant from oil left in the A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core. If
the refrigerant is not completely removed from the oil, outgassing will degrade
the vacuum and appear as a refrigerant leak.
7. If the low pressure gauge reading will not drop to
101 kPa (30 in-Hg) when the valves on the gauge and manifold set are open and the
vacuum pump is operating, close the gauge set valves and observe the low pressure
gauge. If the pressure rises rapidly to zero, a large leak is indicated. Recheck
the test fitting connections and gauge set connections before installing a new
A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core.
8. After evacuating for 45 minutes, close the gauge set valves and stop the
vacuum pump. Observe the low pressure gauge; it should remain at the 101 kPa (30
in-Hg) mark.
^ If the low pressure gauge reading rises 34 or more kPa (10 or more in-Hg) of
vacuum from the 101 kPa (30 in-Hg) position in 10 minutes, a leak is indicated.
^ If a very small leak is suspected, wait 30 minutes and observe the vacuum
gauge.
^ If a small amount of vacuum is lost, operate the vacuum pump with gauge valves
open for an additional 30 minutes to remove any remaining refrigerant from the
oil in the A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core. Then recheck for loss of
vacuum.
^ If a very small leak is suspected, allow the system to sit overnight with
vacuum applied and check for vacuum loss.
9. If the A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core does leak, as verified by the
above procedure, install a new A/C evaporator core or A/C condenser core.