Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: Other Chevrolet Captiva I facelift

Handling of Refrigerant Lines and Fittings

1. Keep all metal tubing lines free of dents or kinks. Any line restrictions will cause the loss of system capacity.
2. Never bend a flexible hose line to a radius of less than four times the diameter of the hose.
3. Never allow a flexible hose line to come within 65 mm (2-1/2 in) of the exhaust manifold.
4. Inspect flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness.
5. Replace flexible hose lines with new lines if you find signs of deterioration or leaking.
6. Discharge the refrigeration system of all refrigerant before disconnecting any fitting in the refrigeration system.
7. Proceed very cautiously regardless of the gauge readings.
8. Open the fittings very slowly.
9. If you notice pressure when you loosen a fitting, allow the pressure to bleed off as described Discharging, Adding Oil, Evacuating, and Charging Procedures for A/C System .
10. Cap or tape any refrigerant line immediately after it is opened. This will prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt, which can cause internal compressor wear or plugged lines in the condenser, the evaporator core, the expansion valve, or the compressor inlet screens. NOTE: Use two proper wrenches to connect the fittings.
11. Back up the opposing fitting to prevent distortion of the connecting lines or the components.
12. Keep the sealing surfaces in perfect condition. A burr or a piece of dirt may cause a refrigerant leak.
13. When seal washers are used, always install the seal washer without lubrication.
14. When O-rings are used, always lightly coat the new O-ring seal with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil prior to installation.

Fluorescent Leak Detector

Fluorescent dye will assist in locating any leaks in the A/C system.

1. Condensation on the evaporator core or the refrigerant lines may wash the PAG oil and fluorescent dye away from the actual leak. Condensation may also carry dye through the HVAC module drain.
2. Leaks in the A/C system will be indicated in a light green or yellow color when using the leak detection lamp. Use the leak detection lamp in the following areas: All fittings or connections that use seal washers or O-rings All of the A/C components The A/C compressor shaft seal The A/C hoses and pressure switches The HVAC module drain tube, if the evaporator core is suspected of leaking The service port sealing caps The sealing cap is the primary seal for the service ports.
3. Follow the instructions supplied with the GE-42220 Universal 12V Leak Detection Lamp.
4. To prevent false diagnosis in the future, thoroughly clean the residual dye from any area where leaks were found. Clean any refrigerant dye on components with brake and choke cleaner, Saturn P/N 21007432.
5. If any refrigerant dye contacts an exterior paint surface, remove it by performing the following steps: Carefully wash affected surfaces according to the Saturn Owner's Handbook to remove any dirt and to ensure that paint is not scratched during dye removal. Mix water and isopropyl alcohol to obtain 50/50 mixture. Soak a soft 100 percent cotton cloth towel with the solution and wet down the affected areas to remove dye. After dye has been removed, wash affected areas and inspect to make sure that the dye has been removed.

Fluorescent Dye Injection

1. Not all of the fluorescent dyes are compatible with PAG oil. Some types of dye decrease the oil viscosity or may chemically react with the oil.
2. R-134a leak detection dye requires time to work. Depending upon the leak rate, a leak may not become visible for between 15 minutes and 7 days.
3. With the A/C system charged, add GE-41447 R 134a A/C Tracer Dye to the A/C system using GE-46297 A/C Dye Injector Kit. Follow the instructions provided with GE-46297 A/C Dye Injector Kit.
4. To prevent false diagnosis in the future, thoroughly clean the residual dye from any area where leaks were found. Clean any refrigerant dye on components with brake and choke cleaner, Saturn P/N 21007432.
5. The dye injection package contains a notice sticker. Complete the leak detection information and place the sticker near the charge label.

Halogen Leak Detector

Ensure that the vehicle has at least 0.41 kg (0.9 lb) of refrigerant in the A/C refrigeration system in order to perform a leak test. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging for recharging the A/C system.

Note. Halogen leak detectors are sensitive to the following items: Windshield washing solutions Many solvents and cleaners Some adhesives used in the vehicle

Clean and dry all surfaces in order to prevent a false warning. Liquids will damage the detector.

Note. Follow a continuous path in order to ensure that you will not miss any possible leaks. Test all areas of the system for leaks.

Follow the instructions supplied with the GE-39400-A Halogen Leak Detector.

Defrosting Insufficient

Defrosting Insufficient

Eliminating Air Conditioning Odor

Odors may be emitted from the air conditioning system primarily at start up in hot, humid climates. The following conditions may cause the odor

1. Debris is present in the HVAC module.
2. Microbial growth on the evaporator core

When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant musty odor into the passenger compartment. To remove odors of this type, the microbial growth must be eliminated. Perform the following procedure

Deodorize the evaporator core using Deodorizing Aerosol Kit.

Perform the following steps in order to deodorize the A/C system

1. Ensure that the plenum which draws outside air into the HVAC module is clear of debris.
2. Disable the A/C compressor clutch operation by disconnecting the clutch coil electrical connector.
3. Dry the evaporator core by performing the following steps: Start the engine. Select the warmest temperature setting. Select the recirculation mode. Run the blower motor on high for 10 minutes.
4. Locate an area in the HVAC module case between the blower motor and the evaporator core downstream of the blower motor.
5. Drill a 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole where the hole will not interfere with or damage the following components: The blower motor The evaporator core Any other operating part the of system
6. Wear safety goggles and latex gloves in order to perform the following actions: Select the maximum blower speed. Insert the deodorizer extension tube into the hole to the mark on the extension tube. Use short spray bursts and vary the direction of spray for a 2-3 minute period of time.
7. Shut the engine OFF. Allow the vehicle to sit for 3-5 minutes.
8. Seal the 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole with body sealer or RTV gasket compound.
9. Start the engine.
10. Operate the blower motor on high for 15-20 minutes to dry.
11. Reconnect the A/C compressor clutch coil electrical connector.
12. Verify proper clutch operation.

Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging

Special Tools

1. GE-8800 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center
2. GE-45037-A A/C Oil Injector

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

The GE-8800 service center is a complete air conditioning service center for R-134a. The ACR 2000 recovers, recycles, evacuates and recharges A/C refrigerant quickly, accurately and automatically. The unit has a display screen that contains the function controls and displays prompts that will lead the technician through the recover, recycle, evacuate and recharge operations. R-134a is recovered into and charged out of an internal storage vessel. The ACR 2000 automatically replenishes this vessel from an external source tank in order to maintain a constant 5.45-6.82 kg (12-15 lbs) of A/C refrigerant.

The ACR 2000 has a built in A/C refrigerant identifier that will test for contamination, prior to recovery and will notify the technician if there are foreign gases present in the A/C system. If foreign gases are present, the ACR 2000 will not recover the refrigerant from the A/C system.

The ACR 2000 also features automatic air purge, single pass recycling and an automatic oil drain.

Refer to the GE-8800 service center ACR 2000 manual for operation and setup instruction. Always recharge the A/C System with the proper amount of R-134a. Refer to Refrigerant System Specifications for the correct amount.

A/C Refrigerant System Oil Charge Replenishing

If oil was removed from the A/C system during the recovery process or due to component replacement, the oil must be replenished. Oil can be injected into a charged A/C system using GE-45037-A injector. For the proper quantities of oil to add to the A/C refrigerant system, refer to Refrigerant System Specifications .

Balancing Procedure

1. The replacement compressor is shipped with 74 ml (2.5 oz) of refrigerant oil.
2. Before installing the compressor, the refrigerant oil may have to be partially drained: Refer to the amount of refrigerant oil recorded during the compressor removal. Subtract the amount recorded from the total system capacity. Refer to «Refrigerant System Specifications»(ref-490214-S30600417362012072700000) . The difference between the total system capacity and the recorded amount is the calculated amount to be drained from the replacement compressor.
3. Drain the calculated amount of refrigerant oil from the replacement compressor.

Scheme 35

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (L4)

Scheme 36

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (V6)

Engine Coolant

Engine coolant is the key element of the heating system. The thermostat controls the engine operating coolant temperature. The thermostat also creates a restriction for the cooling system that promotes a positive coolant flow and helps prevent cavitation. Coolant enters the heater core through the heater inlet hose in a pressurized state.

The heater core is located inside the HVAC module. The heat of the coolant flowing through the heater core is absorbed by the ambient air drawn through the HVAC module. Heated air is distributed to the passenger compartment through the HVAC module for passenger comfort.

The amount of heat delivered to the passenger compartment is controlled by opening or closing the air temperature door. The coolant exits the heater core through the heater outlet hose and recirculates back through the engine cooling system.

A/C Cycle

Refrigerant is the key element in an air conditioning system. R-134a is a very low temperature gas that can transfer the undesirable heat and moisture from the passenger compartment to the outside air.

The A/C compressor is belt driven and operates when the magnetic clutch is engaged. The compressor builds pressure on the vapor refrigerant, which adds heat to the refrigerant. The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor through the discharge hose and is forced to flow to the condenser and then through the balance of the A/C system. The A/C system is mechanically protected with the use of a high pressure relief valve. If the high pressure switch/sensor were to fail or if the refrigerant system becomes restricted and refrigerant pressure continues to rise, the high pressure relief will open and release the excess pressure refrigerant from the system.

Compressed refrigerant enters the condenser in a high temperature, high pressure vapor state. As the refrigerant flows through the condenser, the heat of the refrigerant is transferred to the ambient air passing through the condenser. Cooling the refrigerant causes the refrigerant to condense and change from a vapor to a liquid state.

The condenser is located in front of the radiator for maximum heat transfer. The condenser is made of aluminum tubing and aluminum cooling fins, which allows rapid heat transfer for the refrigerant. The semi-cooled liquid refrigerant exits the condenser and flows to the Receiver/Dehydrator(R/D).

The R/D contains desiccant that absorbs moisture that may be in the refrigerant system. The R/D also acts as a storage vessel to ensure that a steady flow of liquid reaches the Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV). The refrigerant exits the R/D and flows through the liquid line to the TXV.

The TXV is located at the front of dash and attaches to the evaporator inlet and outlet pipes. The TXV is the dividing point for the high and the low side pressures of the A/C system. As the refrigerant passes through the TXV, the pressure on the refrigerant is lowered. The TXV also meters the amount of liquid refrigerant that can flow into the evaporator.

Refrigerant exiting the TXV flows into the evaporator core in a low pressure, liquid state. Ambient air is drawn through the HVAC module and passes through the evaporator core. Warm and moist air causes the liquid refrigerant to boil inside of the evaporator core. The boiling refrigerant absorbs heat from the ambient air and draws moisture onto the evaporator. The refrigerant exits the evaporator through the suction line and back to the compressor in a vapor state, and completes the A/C cycle of heat removal. At the compressor, the refrigerant is compressed again and the cycle of heat removal is repeated.

The conditioned air is distributed through the HVAC module for passenger comfort. The heat and moisture removed from the passenger compartment condenses and is discharged from the HVAC module as water.