Discharging, Evacuating and Recharging
WARNING- Always use an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit such as Kent-Moore ACR4, or equivalent, whenever discharging an R-134a A/C system.
- Any person who services a motor vehicle air conditioner MUST, by law, be properly trained and certified and use approved refrigerant recycling equipment. Technicians must complete an EPA approved recycling course to be certified.
- State and local governments may have additional requirements regarding air conditioning servicing. Always comply with state and local laws.
- Always wear safety goggles when discharging, evacuating or recharging an A/C system.
CAUTION
- Always use separate refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging servicing equipment for R-12 and R-134a systems. DO NOT use one piece of equipment for both R-12 and R-134a systems. The residual traces of refrigerant inside the equipment will contaminate and damage the equipment. Servicing equipment includes recovery/recycling/recharging unit, charging station, vacuum pump, manifold gauges, etc.
- DO NOT use R-12 servicing equipment on R-134a systems or R-134a equipment on R-12 systems or damage to both the vehicle A/C system and servicing equipment may result. Use only equipment designed to meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.
- R-134a and R-12 systems use different size service fittings. NEVER use adaptors to convert an R-12 fitting to R-134a size or R-134a fitting to R-12 size.
DISCHARGING
Note
Follow all safety measures when discharging an A/C refrigerant system
Note
Ensure initial set-up has been performed on the refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit before discharging A/C system.
- connect red high pressure hose -A- of refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit to high pressure service valve (fitting) on vehicle and open coupler valve
- leave blue low pressure hose -B- of refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit disconnected
Note
Only a high pressure service valve is used for A/C system servicing. A low pressure service valve is not installed in the A/C system. Perform all A/C system service operations (i.e. discharging, evacuating and charging) through the high pressure service valve only
CAUTION
Always follow manufacturer's instructions when using a refrigerant/recovery/recycling/recharging unit.
- following refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit manufacturer's instructions, discharge A/C system into refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit
- disconnect power supply from A/C clutch to prevent accidental compressor operation with A/C system discharged
Note
Ensure initial set-up has been performed on the refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit before discharging A/C system.
- connect red high pressure hose -A- of refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit to high pressure service valve (fitting) on vehicle and open coupler valve
- leave blue low pressure hose -B- of refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit disconnected
Note
Only a high pressure service valve is used for A/C system servicing. A low pressure service valve is not installed in the A/C system. Perform all A/C system service operations (i.e. discharging, evacuating and charging) through the high pressure service valve only
EVACUATING AND RECHARGING
Note
Follow all safety measure, in safety measures section, when evacuating and recharging the A/C refrigerant system.
- follow refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit manufacturer's instructions for evacuating and recharging A/C system
- evacuate refrigerant system for a minimum of 30 minutes
- when recharging A/C system, add correct amount of refrigerant and PAG oil to system.
- after system recharge, manually rotate A/C compressor approx. 10 turns before starting engine. Start engine with A/C OFF. After idle speed has stabilized, switch A/C ON and let engine idle (compressor running) for a minimum of two minutes before raising engine speed.