Ford Escape: Climate Control System - General Information / General Procedures

Leak Detection

Read the following note for important information about refrigerant system dyes.

NOTE

Fluorescent refrigerant system dye is added to the refrigerant system at the factory to assist in leak diagnosis of the refrigerant system with an approved Rotunda UV lamp. Do not add dye to the refrigerant system before leak diagnosis or after repair, even if a significant amount of refrigerant has been removed from the system. Replacement suction accumulators, receiver driers, receiver drier elements and condensers are supplied with a fluorescent dye tablet included in the desiccant bag, which dissolves after approximately 30 minutes of continuous air conditioning operation. Do not add dye after flushing the refrigerant system, because a new suction accumulator, receiver drier or receiver drier element is installed as part of the flushing procedure.

Ford Motor Company vehicles are manufactured with R134a or R-1234yf refrigerant and fluorescent dye installed in the refrigerant system at the factory. The leak location can be identified by the bright yellow-green glow of the fluorescent dye under the UV lamp. Since more than one leak may exist, inspect each component, line and fitting in the refrigerant system for leaks.

Using UV-enhancing glasses or safety glasses significantly improves dye detection under the UV lamp.

Not all UV lamps fluoresce the dye used in Ford vehicles. All Rotunda UV lamps are optimized for dye fluorescence.

If the refrigerant system has run out of refrigerant over the winter, the dye at the leak point may have oxidized and will not fluoresce. In this case, recharge and run the air conditioning system to circulate the oil and allow any remaining dye to appear at the leak point. It is important to understand that the dye adheres to the oil, not the refrigerant; the refrigerant carries oil out of the leak point.

1
Check for leaks using a Rotunda-approved UV lamp and UV-enhancing glasses.
For access to the UV lamp and UV-enhancing glasses,
Refer to: Climate Control System Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
2
Inspect all refrigerant system components, lines and fittings. For component and fitting locations,
Refer to: Climate Control System - Vehicles With: Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) (412-00).
3
After repairing the leak, remove all traces of fluorescent dye using a general-purpose oil solvent.
4
Verify the repair by running the vehicle for a short period of time and recheck the leak point with a Rotunda-approved UV lamp.
For access to the approved UV lamp,
Refer to: Climate Control System Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
5
If it is a small leak, the dye may take some time to appear. A Rotunda-approved electronic leak detector is also available for use.
Refer to: Electronic Leak Detection (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).

General Procedures - Fluorescent Dye Leak Detection

Leak Detection

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