In the early years of auto A/C repair, system contamination was associated with debris from an internal auto ac compressor failure. Over the years, the types of auto air conditioning contamination  have expanded. This would include items such as:

• Metal and Teflon
• Sealant
• Moisture
• Compressor lubricant
• Leak detection dye
• Air
• Refrigerant
• Solvent-based flush agent
• Lubricant additives
• Non-approved flushes

Auto A/C system contamination

Metal and Teflon :Metal debris can be created from any metal component inside the compressor self-destructing , and Teflon can come from the Teflon seals on the a/c compressor pistons.

Sealant: Refrigerant sealers have been used in automotive applications for years. Sealants can act as a stop-leak for auto ac refrigerant lines, or they can act as a conditioner for automotive ac O-rings. When sealant is added to an automotive air conditioning refrigerant system , it remains in solution and when the leak is found , the sealant reacts to moisture in the atmosphere, filling the hole. If air or moisture is present in the auto ac system, the sealant will gel. Sealant can plug an orifice tube, TXV, and tubes in an auto ac condenser or evaporator.

SEALANT USE HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY ANY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR A/C COMPONENT MANUFACTURER. WHEN AN AUTOMOTIVE AC COMPONENT FAILS UNDER WARRANTY, THE WARRANTY COULD BE VOID IF IT IS DETERMINED THE SEALANT CAUSED THE PART TO FAIL.

Moisture: Moisture can enter the auto a/c refrigerant system from three sources- the atmosphere ,contaminated PAG oil or contaminated Refrigerant.

Compressor Lubricant : Automotive a/c Compressor lubricant becomes a contaminant when an incorrect type or a non-approved lubricant is used. Mixing two or more different types of car a/c compressor oils can also create a contamination situation.

Leak detection Dye: When used in a quantity beyond what the dye manufacturer recommends, dye can modify the viscosity of the auto ac compressor oil and becomes a contaminant.

Air: Air can enter the automotive ac refrigerant system from a leak or when an insufficient vacuum is pulled during the refrigerant recharge process. Air can also be introduced into the system through the use of recycled refrigerant that contains air in it.

Refrigerant :Auto A/C Blend refrigerants are not approved by vehicle manufacturers as a replacement for R-12 or R-134a.

Lubricant additives : Unless recommended by the vehicle OEM , careful consideration should be given to the use of any of these products . While some additives may not harm an A/C system, others may have a negative impact on them.

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