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In recent publications circulated in the automotive air conditioning service industry, it’s been said that nitrogen is not a reliable method of leak detection. If you’re a professional auto A/C service technician (not just a writer for magazine content or selling fancy leak detection equipment) and you’ve used nitrogen, then you would know that nitrogen is actually one of the most effective and reliable methods of leak detection that there is! The reason why some service information published advised that nitrogen is not a reliable method of leak detection is simple. The people who write that nitrogen is not reliable either a) don’t do auto A/C service for a living and b) don’t really understand how to use nitrogen effectively.
Nitrogen pressure is probably one of the most reliable methods of leak detection for the auto A/C system. Frequently it called ‘dry’ nitrogen. It’s called dry because it really is. Nitrogen has no moisture in it. Additionally, nitrogen can be vented to atmosphere without any fear of environmental harm. That’s because the air we breath is mostly nitrogen!
With respect to auto A/C system leak detection the real reasons you should consider using nitrogen for leak detection are:
1- Nitrogen is safe, accurate and inexpensive
2- Nitrogen is an inert gas. That means it is safe to use in the auto A/C system and will not react with any other components or chemicals in the system
3- Nitrogen is dry, therefore you are not adding any contaminants to the A/C system
4- Nitrogen provides ultimate control over the leak test pressures
5- Nitrogen has many other uses in auto A/C service (and around the shop)
6- With nitrogen, you can avoid making those little mistakes that could cost you money because you will easily be able to find all the leaks!
Also see additional information about nitrogen: Using Nitrogen in auto A/C service
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