Most calls to service centers are associated with leakage and refueling of air conditioners with freon. For this, special equipment is used. Before refueling, tightness is checked, leaks are identified. After eliminating them, you can add refrigerant.
If you do not refuel the air conditioner on time, then you will have to completely change the coolant, which is not cheap. It is quite possible that along with freon it will be necessary to replace some parts of the split system.
Freon leak detection
- ice or frost builds up on the fittings of the outdoor unit;
- the air conditioner does not cool the air well.
If these signs are detected, it is necessary to immediately turn off the air conditioner and call the masters.
To fix the malfunction, you first need to find the cause of the leak. This could be:
- poor-quality welded seam in the place of soldering copper pipes;
- poor installation - while increased vibration violates the integrity of the system;
- cracks in pipes due to poor quality copper.
Freon usually evaporates at the pipe attachment points due to improper flaring or embossing. Constant vibration will loosen the mountings. To find the cause of the leakage of freon from the air conditioner, special devices are used - leak detectors, which are electronic, halide, ultrasonic.
Other ways to find the leak:
- Using a solution with detergent.
- By visual method - by the presence of oil stains on the tubes.
- Ultraviolet dye, adding it to the system.
- Pumping high pressure.
If it is possible to remove the tubing system, the leak is determined by ordinary immersion in water.
Even an ideally assembled pipeline flows from 6 to 8 percent of freon per year. This phenomenon is called standard leakage. Therefore, it is necessary to refuel the air conditioner once every two years.
Learn more about how to locate a leak
The easiest way is to remove the pipes to be tested, fill with dry nitrogen, seal and immerse in water. Bubbles will appear at the nitrogen outlet. If the damage area is large, it is recommended to replace the pipe. With a small crack, it is sealed using welded equipment.
Soap solution
The effect of the soap solution will be in the case when the location of the leak is approximately known for the existing oil stains. The solutions are sold as sprays and are applied to the pipe. After determining the problem area, the substance is washed off the pipe, since chemical additives can penetrate into the system and cause a change in the composition of the coolant.
By adding dry nitrogen to the system, it is easier to locate the refrigerant leak from the air conditioner. The substance emits a hissing sound when exiting the pipe.
Leak detectors
If the type of refrigerant in the system is chlorine, use halide equipment. Principle of operation: when refrigerant vapor escapes, the burner with a flame on the device changes color from blue to green. The halide device helps to find leaks in small air conditioners - up to 150 ml per year. It has its drawbacks - when working, it is required to comply with fire safety regulations, work is carried out in a ventilated room, since harmful substances are released.
There is an electronic analogue of the device, more accurate, but for each type of freon there is its own model, so the master has several devices designed for the most common types of refrigerants. The sensitive device determines the smallest losses of freon - searches for leaks up to 5 g per year. After finding the place, check it with soapy water. Disadvantages:
- the device is expensive;
- sensors change periodically, as they oxidize and show inaccurate data;
- in windy weather, it is impossible to determine the leak - the vapors are carried away by the wind and the sensor does not react to them.
A new device has appeared in the arsenal of special equipment for service workers - an ultrasonic leak detector. Even the smallest leakage of freon from the air conditioner is accompanied by sound. The device catches it and amplifies it so that the master can find the problem area. It is important to exclude other extraneous sounds when operating the equipment.
Pressure test
It is used for long lines. Freon or dry nitrogen is pumped into the system, after a while it is checked with a pressure gauge - if the pressure has dropped, then there is a leak. Further, leak detectors are used.
Ultraviolet dye
The technique is simple, but it takes time for the dye pumped into the system to release to the surface, where it is fixed by ultraviolet lamps. To do this, you must wear special glasses. The method is used in automobile air conditioners.
Consequences of freon leakage from the air conditioner
Together with freon, oil leaves the system, which forms a film on the surfaces of the compressor parts. Without the film, the assembly jams and the equipment stops.
Other parts are subject to increased friction, resulting in reduced service life.
The lack of freon is replaced by moisture entering through damaged pipes. This leads to the formation of acidic compounds. The compressor windings are then burned out. Air also enters the circuit and changes the chemical composition of the remaining refrigerant, as a result of which it is unable to continue to perform its functions.
Replacing freon in the air conditioner
If replacing freon in a car air conditioner is not difficult and is carried out by the owner independently, then a similar procedure in household climatic equipment requires special skills. The replacement of freon in the air conditioner is resorted to in very rare cases, usually you just need to refuel the compressor. It is impossible to change one type of refrigerant for another in domestic air conditioners: each model is designed for a certain type and will not work for another.
To drain the freon from the air conditioner, professionals use a special portable device of small size. Most of these devices work with any kind of refrigerant.
With the help of the station, freon can be drained from the dismantled equipment, which must be disposed of or reused. During the drain, the freon is cleared. All built-in parts of the equipment are protected during draining.
On average, the device allows you to drain 260 grams of gas or 1.85 kilograms of liquid per minute. Works from a regular electrical outlet.
