Nitrogen leak test for almost every make

Car air con leak detection in Rotterdam

Is your air con blowing warm again soon after a regas? Then the system is probably leaking. We find the leak with a nitrogen test. After that we tell you where the leak is and what the repair costs.

Rotterdam family business since 1979 | 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews | F-gas certified | Quote in advance

The short answer

A car air con is a sealed system. Does it stop cooling within a few months of a regas? Then there is probably a leak. Another regas only helps for a short time.

Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde finds the leak with a pressurised nitrogen test. This also finds most small leaks, for example at O-rings, hoses and the condenser. Sometimes UV dye is needed as well.

You hear what the leak test costs in advance. After that we tell you where the leak is and give you a quote for the repair. We only start once you approve. We do not regas a system that we know is leaking. Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number.

Jump to: warning signs · how it works · leak tests compared · where the leak is · costs · frequently asked questions · directions

Sound familiar? Then your air con is probably leaking

An air con that is losing refrigerant usually lets you know. These are the signs we see most, also with customers whose air con has already been regassed elsewhere.

  • The air con blew cold again after a regas, but the cooling is gone again after a few weeks or months
  • You need a regas every year or every season
  • The air con cools less and less, especially when standing still or in traffic jams
  • You see oily stains or greasy dirt near the air con pipes, the condenser or the compressor
  • You hear hissing near the air con pipes under the bonnet
  • The compressor no longer switches on

A soft hiss right after you switch off the engine is normal. That is the pressure equalising. Refrigerant is almost odourless, so you usually cannot smell a leak. Is there a small puddle of clear water under the car after a drive with the air con on? That is condensation, not a leak. Read more about a puddle under your car (in Dutch).

Not sure? Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number. We tell you whether a leak test makes sense.

Why a regas does not help when there is a leak

A car air con is a sealed system. Only a little refrigerant escapes through the hoses and seals. Often that is five to ten per cent a year. That is normal. If your air con blows warm again within a season, the refrigerant is escaping somewhere.

Refilling without fixing the leak is like mopping with the tap running. The new refrigerant escapes through the same leak. A few months later you face the same bill.

There is another risk. Along with the refrigerant, the oil that lubricates the compressor escapes too. If the compressor seizes, you need a new compressor. That is a much more expensive repair. Our price overview (in Dutch) shows what air con repairs cost on average.

Refrigerant should not end up in the air either. Under the European rules for car air con systems, a leak should be fixed first. That is why we do not regas a system that we know is leaking. Read more in our article on regassing a leaking air con (in Dutch).

How we find the leak

A leak test is a matter of careful measuring. We do it in four steps. We work by appointment, on Saturday too. You book by phone. Bring your car in Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am, or on Saturday at 9.00 am. For a quick question or check, you can walk in without an appointment.

1. Call and measure the pressures

Call +31 10 479 00 00 and have your registration number ready. You hear what the leak test costs in advance. In the workshop we connect the air con service station and measure the pressures. This shows whether there is still refrigerant in the system and whether the reading points to a leak or a faulty part.

2. Pressurised nitrogen leak test

We recover the refrigerant and pressurise the system with dry nitrogen. That is a harmless gas. If the pressure drops, the system is leaking. Then we look for the spot, for example at O-rings, connections, hoses or the condenser. Sometimes we also use UV dye to make the leak visible.

3. Result and quote

We tell you what we found and what the repair costs. You get a quote with the parts, labour, refrigerant and VAT. We only start once you approve.

4. Repair, vacuum and refill

After the repair we vacuum the system. This removes moisture and air. Then we fill it with the amount of refrigerant the manufacturer specifies: R134a or R1234yf. Finally we test the cooling and check again that the system is leak-tight.

Vacuum test, nitrogen test or UV dye: what is the difference?

Not every leak test shows the same thing. That is why an air con that seemed leak-tight during a regas can still turn out to be leaking.

Leak test When What the test shows
Vacuum test With every air con service. We check whether the system holds the vacuum. Larger leaks. This test does not show a very small leak in every case.
Pressurised nitrogen test When we suspect a leak. There does not need to be any refrigerant in the system. Most small leaks too. The test uses a higher pressure than the vacuum test.
UV dye As an extra, for a leak that is hard to find. Where the leak is. It lights up under a UV lamp, sometimes only after some driving.

Has your air con been regassed before and is it blowing warm again? Tell us when you call. Then we start with the nitrogen test, not with refilling.

Where is the leak usually?

We have been working on cars for more than 45 years and know the weak spots. These are the places where we find leaks most often.

  • O-rings and connections. Rubber hardens and shrinks, especially if the air con has not been used for a long time.
  • The condenser. It sits at the front, behind the grille. Stone chips, road salt and dirt can make it leak.
  • Hoses and pipes. These can rub against the bodywork or become porous.
  • The compressor. With a leak at the shaft seal, oil often escapes too. You then see greasy dirt around the compressor.
  • The evaporator behind the dashboard. It is hard to reach and replacing it is a lot of work. That is why we first make sure the leak really is there.

We replace what is needed and explain why. Is the condenser the cause? Then read how we replace the air con condenser. Is your air con not working at all? Then see air con repair.

How much does it cost to find an air con leak?

There is no fixed amount for it. The time needed differs from car to car. We find a leak at a connection faster than a leak in the evaporator behind the dashboard. This is how it works:

  • The leak test. You hear what the leak test costs in advance, when you book.
  • The repair. After the test you get a quote with the parts, labour, refrigerant and VAT.
  • Your approval. We only start once you approve. You can also choose not to have the repair done. Then you only pay for the leak test. The system stays empty and the air con will not work until the leak is fixed.
  • No leak found? Then we discuss it with you. If you want us to fill the system, you pay for the leak test and the air con service. An air con service costs from € 120 (R134a) or from € 180 (R1234yf).

What the repair costs depends on the part. An O-ring or a valve is less work than a condenser or an evaporator. For an idea of the prices per part, see our article on air con repair costs (in Dutch). Our repairs come with a warranty. We tell you which warranty applies when we give you the quote.

Frequently asked questions about an air con leak

No need to click. All the answers are already open below.

My air con is empty again after a regas. How is that possible?

Then there is probably a leak in the system. A car air con is sealed. Even so, it loses refrigerant, often five to ten per cent a year. That is normal. If the cooling disappears within a few weeks or months, the refrigerant is escaping somewhere.

Another regas does not solve that. The new refrigerant escapes through the same leak. We find the leak with a nitrogen test. Then you know where it is and can have it fixed.

How does a nitrogen leak test work?

We recover the refrigerant and pressurise the system with dry nitrogen. Nitrogen is a harmless gas and contains no moisture. If the pressure drops, the system is leaking. Then we look for the spot, for example at O-rings, hoses, the condenser or the evaporator.

Sometimes we also use UV dye. The leak then lights up under a UV lamp.

The test also works if the air con is already empty. There does not need to be any refrigerant in the system. So you do not first pay for refrigerant that escapes straight away.

How much does finding an air con leak cost?

There is no fixed amount for it. The time needed differs from car to car and depends on where the leak is. You hear what the leak test costs in advance, when you book. After the test you get a quote for the repair. We only start once you approve.

Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number. For an idea of the prices per part, see our article on air con repair costs (in Dutch).

Can a garage regas my air con if it is leaking?

No. Under the European rules for car air con systems, a leak should be fixed first. Otherwise you pay for refrigerant that escapes again within a short time. That is why we do not regas a system that we know is leaking. We are F-gas certified and work with R134a and R1234yf. Read more in our article on regassing a leaking air con (in Dutch).

How long does a leak test take?

For measuring the pressures and the nitrogen test, we usually allow half a day. Is the leak in a difficult spot, such as the evaporator behind the dashboard? Then finding and repairing it takes longer. We discuss that with you in advance. You leave the car with us. Bring it in Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am, or on Saturday at 9.00 am.

What happens if no leak is found?

Then we discuss it with you. If you want us to fill the system, you pay for the leak test and the air con service. An air con service costs from € 120 (R134a) or from € 180 (R1234yf).

A very small leak cannot be found straight away in every case. That is why we can add UV dye when we fill the system. If the air con blows warm again later, the leak can often be seen under a UV lamp. Searching again is then a separate job. You hear what that costs in advance.

Does a leak sealant help against an air con leak?

No. A leak sealant seals a leak temporarily at best. That is why we advise against it. The sealant can build up in the expansion valve and the receiver drier. It also contaminates the equipment a garage later uses to recover the refrigerant. That makes a repair more expensive. You fix a leak by replacing the leaking part.

Can I keep driving with a leaking air con?

Yes. With a petrol or diesel car that is usually fine. Do switch the air con off, though. With too little refrigerant the compressor is not lubricated as well, and it can get damaged.

Do you drive an electric car or a plug-in hybrid? In many of these cars the air con system also cools the battery. Have a leak checked soon in that case. Read more about the air con in an electric car.

Air con leak detection in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is five minutes’ drive away. There is free parking outside if there is space. The tram stop Stadion Feijenoord (line 3) is close by.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. Leaving your car with us? You can use a free loan bike while one is available.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

First find the leak, then refill

Call us for a leak test. You hear what the test costs in advance. After that you get a quote for the repair.

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say (in Dutch).

Also see our air con service, air con regas and air con repair.

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