cAR aIR conditioning nitrogen LEAK TEST

Car Air Conditioning Leak Testing in Derby

Specialist Leak Detection from StayKool – Over 95% Accuracy

At StayKool, we specialise in advanced air conditioning leak detection using the latest tools and techniques. We're the go-to experts for Derby garages who send vehicles our way when their machines can’t detect the fault. We’re proud to say we locate over 95% of leaks on the first visit – even the most elusive ones.

How StayKool Detects Air Conditioning Leaks

At StayKool, around 95% of leaks are found during your first visit. But in rare cases, a leak might be challenging to detect due to its size, location, or the specific conditions under which it occurs.

Why Some Leaks Are Hard to Find

Some leaks only become active under specific conditions:

When the AC system is hot and operating
Under pressure, vibration, or temperature fluctuations
If it's an extremely small or silent “laminar flow” leak
Compressor shaft seal leaks, which only occur while the compressor is running (making them undetectable by ultrasonic or nitrogen testing)

In these cases, we adopt a systematic, step-by-step approach to pinpoint the leak efficiently.

Our Leak Detection Methods

We use a multi-layered testing process to find even the smallest leaks:

Oxygen-Free Nitrogen (OFN) – Pressurises the system safely without damaging components, revealing pressure-sensitive leaks.
Bubble Solution – Applied to joints, pipes, and condensers to visually detect leaks by watching for bubble formation.
Ultrasonic Leak Detector – It picks up high-frequency sounds of escaping gas, even if the leak is invisible.
UV Dye & Black Light Inspection – If UV dye has been added (we include it in all services), leaks will glow under UV light for accurate detection.
Nitro-Trace Gas – A hydrogen/nitrogen blend combined with a hydrogen detector to find ultra-small leaks other tools might miss.

What If There’s No Gas in My System?

If you arrive and your AC system has no gas, this strongly indicates a leak – but in some rare cases, a nitrogen test might still not detect it. That’s why we start with a re-gas and add UV dye. Once the gas escapes again, we’ll be able to locate the leak clearly under UV light.

Alternatively, we can use Extreme Leak Additive, which fixes around 70% of small leaks by sealing them with microscopic Teflon discs (up to 0.3mm in size).

Evaporator Leaks – The Toughest Challenge

Evaporators are hidden deep behind your dashboard, making them difficult and costly to inspect or replace. If we suspect an evaporator leak, we check for UV dye in the condensation water under your car.

Tip for Customers:
If we’ve previously added UV dye, you can try this simple home check:

Run your AC and look for water dripping underneath your car.
Use a cheap UV torch to check the water – if it glows, it could mean an internal or evaporator leak.

What If No Leak is Found Right Away?

If no leak is visible during initial testing, we follow a logical order of elimination:

Condenser – Causes 80% of leaks, often damaged by stones or corrosion.
Compressor – Shaft seals can fail during operation.
Expansion Valve (TXV) – Seals or internal parts may be faulty.
Evaporator – Checked last due to high labour costs and limited access.

Why StayKool Beats Garage Machines

Most garages use automated AC machines that run vacuum tests at -15psi, which only reveal large leaks and won’t identify the location. Worse still, they can pass a system with a small leak undetected.

At StayKool, we do everything manually, pressurising your system to over 150psi with nitrogen – simulating real driving conditions. This lets us find most leaks in minutes, even the ones others miss.

Pricing and Transparency

Leak Diagnostic Test Only £35.
Each re-gas is fully charged due to the time, equipment, and gas used.
We always prioritise cost-effective solutions over unnecessary parts replacement.

Our Promise

We provide clear, honest diagnostics and back it up with logical, evidence-based recommendations. While some leaks may require further investigation or a second visit, our aim is always to save you money and fix the issue properly – not just sell you parts.

Summary of Our Leak Detection Process

95% of leaks found on first visit
Leak-finding methods: Nitrogen, bubble spray, ultrasonic, UV dye, Nitro-Trace
Condenser accounts for 80% of all leaks
Logical, step-by-step approach for tough cases
Full charge applies per re-gas
Transparent pricing & honest advice

👉 Book Now at www.staykool.as.me
Let the experts find your leak – fast, accurate, and cost-effective.