A/C Service Tips and Precautions
| WARNING | Compressed air mixed with R-134a forms a combustible vapor. The vapor can burn or explode causing serious injury. Never use compressed air to pressure test R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioning systems. |
| CAUTION | Air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat. Be careful when connecting service equipment. Do not breathe refrigerant or vapor. |
The air conditioning system uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant and polyalkyleneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil, which are not compatible with CFC-12 (R-12) refrigerant and mineral oil. Do not use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil in this system, and do not attempt to use R-12 servicing equipment; damage to the air conditioning system or your servicing equipment will result.
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove R-134a from the air conditioning system.
If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.
R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioning systems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
- Always disconnect the negative cable from the battery whenever replacing air conditioning parts.
- Keep moisture and dirt out of the system. When disconnecting any lines, plug or cap the fittings immediately; don't remove the caps or plugs until just before you reconnect each line.
- Before connecting any hose or line, apply a few drops of refrigerant oil to the O-ring.
- When tightening or loosening a fitting, use a second wrench to support the matching fitting.
- When discharging the system, use an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station; don't release refrigerant into the atmosphere.
Refrigerant Recovery
| CAUTION | Air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat. Be careful when connecting service equipment. Do not breathe refrigerant or vapor. |
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.
If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
Scheme 127
- Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
- Measure the amount of refrigerant oil removed from the A/C system after the recovery process is completed. Be sure to put the same amount of new refrigerant oil back into the A/C system before charging.
System Evacuation
| CAUTION | Air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat. Be careful when connecting service equipment. Do not breathe refrigerant or vapor. |
Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.
If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
Scheme 128
- When an A/C system has been opened to the atmosphere, such as during installation or repair, it must be evacuated using an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station. (If the system has been open for several days, the receiver/dryer should be replaced, and the system should be evacuated for several hours.)
- Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Evacuate the system.
- If the low-pressure does not reach more than 93.3 kPa (700 mmHg, 27.6 in.Hg) within 15 minutes, there is probably a leak in the system. Partially charge the system, and check for leaks (see step 3 .).
System Charging
| CAUTION | Air conditioning refrigerant or lubricant vapor can irritate your eyes, nose, or throat. Be careful when connecting service equipment. Do not breathe refrigerant or vapor. |
Use only service equipment that is U.L-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.
If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.
Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.
Scheme 129
- Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
- Evacuate the system (see «SYSTEM EVACUATION»(ref-218822-S18857620712006021000000) ).
- Add the same amount of new refrigerant oil to the system that was removed during recovery. Use only KEIHIN SP-10 refrigerant oil.
- Charge the system with the specified amount of R-134a refrigerant. Do not overcharge the system; the compressor will be damaged. Select the appropriate units of measure for your refrigerant charging station. Refrigerant Capacity: 500 to 550 g 0.50 to 0.55 kg 1.1 to 1.2 lbs 17.6 to 19.4 oz
- Check for refrigerant leaks (see «REFRIGERANT LEAK TEST»(ref-218822-S38071909752006021000000) ).
- Check for system performance (see «A/C SYSTEM TEST»(ref-218822-S36596543902006021000000) ).