Info - Refrigerant Dye Added to A/C System at Assembly Plant
| Subject: | Refrigerant Dye Added to A/C System at Assembly Plant |
| Models: | All 2001-2003 Passenger Cars |
| 2002-2003 Chevrolet Tracker |
| 2003 All Light Duty Trucks and Vans |
| 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak |
| 2003 GMC Topkick |
| 2003 HUMMER H2 |
This bulletin is being revised to add model years, models and additional information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-01-38-009A (Section-01 -- HVAC).
One of the most effective ways to detect a leak in an air conditioning system is with the use of a fluorescent leak detection dye. Leak detection (also known as AKA refrigerant) dye is added to the A/C system during assembly.
In order to identify which vehicles may contain refrigerant dye, look at the A/C charge label.
Important: Some 2001 model year passenger vehicles, prior to the introduction of the revised label, may have the dye. In order to identify this population of vehicles during A/C service, look at the build month of the vehicle. The Vehicle Certification label on the driver's door has a month and year printed on it. If the month is November 2000 or greater, the vehicle has refrigerant dye added to the system.
The 2003 Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC Topkick will receive the refrigerant dye in the July/August 2002 time frame. The HUMMER H2 will have the refrigerant dye added at some date yet to be determined.| • | For 2001-2003 passenger vehicles -- The new A/C charge label (when available) will have "CONTAINS REFRIGERANT DYE" on the label. |
| • | For the 2002-2003 Tracker -- The Tracker label will have "NOTICE AIR CONDITIONING Use only R-134a Refrigerant and Polyalklene Glycol oil (PAG oil) with dye. System Charge: X.XX kg (X.XX lbs). |
| • | For 2003 light-duty trucks, SUV, Vans, Medium duty trucks and the HUMMER H2 -- The A/C charge label (when available) will have "with dye" on the label. |
Additional refrigerant dye for leak detection is not required. The dye is added to the system at the assembly plant and will remain there unless removed during a flushing process, at which time the dye should be replaced. The dye mixes with the refrigerant oil, not the R-134a refrigerant.
Important: There are some important points to remember about refrigerant dye:
• Although the dye is non-toxic and water soluble, you may wish to wear
rubber gloves. This will prevent your hands from "glowing" in
the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light. • Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with a dye cleaner (or a lot
of soap and water) before entering the vehicle, or touching other underhood
components, is recommended. If refrigerant dye gets on your hands, it will
transfer to anything you touch. • Refrigerant oil will stain the paint of anything it comes in contact
with and the refrigerant dye will highlight the stain. • To clean the area around the fittings and leak areas, use J 43872,
a R-134a Leak Dye Cleaner (available from Kent Moore, 1-800-345-2233).
Detecting the Leak Area
To perform refrigerant leak testing, you will need an ultraviolet lamp and yellow glasses. The recommended ultraviolet lamp and yellow glasses, which have the correct photo spectrum required for usage with the refrigerant dye, are available from Kent Moore, J 42220, Leak Detection Lamp Kit.
When inspecting for a leak with the ultraviolet lamp, slowly pan the system with the beam of the lamp directed toward all possible leak areas. When a leak is found, the dye when viewed through the yellow glasses and highlighted with the ultraviolet lamp, will glow a bright light greenish color.
After a repair is performed, the system and especially the repaired area, should be cleaned with the Leak Dye Cleaner (or a lot of water). Start and idle the engine with the A/C system in the ON mode for 5 minutes, then recheck for leaks.
