Heating and Air Conditioning: Service and Repair
A/C Service Tips and Precautions1. Always disconnect the negative cable from the battery whenever replacing air conditioner parts.
2. Keep moisture and dust 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.
3. Before connecting any hose or line, apply a few drops of refrigerant oil to the 0-ring.
4. When tightening or loosening a fitting, use a second wrench to support the matching fitting.
5. When discharging the system, use a refrigerant recovery system; don't release refrigerant into the atmosphere.
6. Add refrigerant oil after replacing the following parts:
Condenser: 10 cc (1/3 fl oz)
Evaporator: 10 cc (1/3 fl oz)
Line or hose: 20 cc (2/3 fl oz)
Receiver: 10 cc (1/3 fl oz)
Compressor: On compressor replacement, subtract the volume of oil drained from the removed compressor from 120 +/- 10 cc (4 fl oz). and drain the calculated volume of oil from the new compressor.
120 +/- 10 cc (4 fl oz) - Volume of oil from removed compressor = Volume to drain from new compressor
Don't overtighten fittings; you could damage them. Leaks are caused by faulty 0-rings, overtightening won't stop them.
(1) Suction hose and discharge hose to A/C lines: 22 N-m 12.2 kg-m, 16 lb-ft)
(2) Discharge line C (both sides): 23 N-m (2.3 kg-m, 17 lb-ft)
(3) Condenser line A (both sides): 23 N-m (2.3 kg-m, 17 lb-ft)
(4) Condenser line C to left side condenser: 14 N-m (1.4 kg-m, 10 lb-ft)
(5) Receiver-dryer: 14 N-m (1.4 kg-m, 10 lb-ft)
(6) Receiver line and suction line to heater assembly: 22 Nm (2.2 kg-m, 16 lb-ft)
(7) Compressor hose mounting bolts: 22 N-m (2.2 kg-m, 16 lb-ft)
(8) Compressor mounting bolts: 25 N-m 12.5 kg-m, 18 lb-ft)
(9) Compressor bracket mounting bolts: 50 N-m (4.5 kg-m, 36 lb-ft)
(10) Idler pulley center nut: 45 N-m (4.5 kg-m, 32.5 lb-ft)
(11) 6 mm bolt (corrosion resistant): 10 Nm (1.0 kg-m, 7.2 lb-ft)
When handling refrigerant (R- 12):
^ Always wear eye protection.
^ Do not let refrigerant get on your skin or in your eyes. If it does:
- Do not rub your eyes or skin.
- Splash large quantities of cool water in your eyes or on your skin.
- Rush to a physician or hospital for immediate treatment. Do not attempt to treat it yourself.
^ Keep refrigerant containers (cans of R-12) stored below 40°C (100°F).
^ Do not handle or discharge refrigerant in an enclosed area near an open flame: it may ignite and produce a poisonous gas.
^ The ozone is fragile layer surrounding the earth which acts as a shield against the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Chlorine from chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) destroy the ozone in the stratosphere. Automotive air conditioning systems currently use chlorofluorocarbons as the refrigerant. Auto air conditioning service equipment has been developed to minimize the release of CFCs to the atmosphere. All service procedures should be performed using this equipment and the manufacturer's instructions.