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Heating and Air Conditioning: Service Precautions

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM SERVICE EQUIPMENT

WARNING:
- REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
- EYE PROTECTION MUST BE WORN WHEN SERVICING AN AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. TURN OFF (ROTATE CLOCKWISE) ALL VALVES ON THE EQUIPMENT BEING USED, BEFORE CONNECTING TO OR DISCONNECTING FROM THE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.


RECOVERY/RECYCLING STATION

Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Station - Typical:




When servicing the air conditioning system, a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE Standard J2210 must be used. Contact an automotive service equipment supplier for refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging equipment. See the operating instructions supplied by the equipment manufacturer for proper care and use of this equipment.

MANIFOLD GAUGE SET

CAUTION: Do not use an R-12 manifold gauge set on an R-134a system. The refrigerants are not compatible and system damage will result.

Manifold Gauge Set - Typical:




A manifold gauge set may be needed with some recovery/recycling/charging equipment. The service hoses on the gauge set being used should have manual (turn wheel), or automatic back-flow valves at the service port connector ends. This will prevent refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere.

MANIFOLD GAUGE SET CONNECTIONS

CAUTION: Do not use an R-12 manifold gauge set on an R-134a system. The refrigerants are not compatible and system damage will result.

- LOW PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE - The low pressure hose (Blue with Black stripe) attaches to the suction (low-side) service port. This port is located on the A/C liquid line near the front of the engine compartment.
- HIGH PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE - The high pressure hose (Red with Black stripe) attaches to the discharge (high-side) service port. This port is located on the A/C discharge line near the A/C condenser.
- RECOVERY, RECYCLING, EVACUATION AND CHARGING HOSE - The center manifold hose (Yellow, or White, with Black stripe) is used to recover, evacuate, and charge the refrigerant system. When the low or high pressure valves on the manifold gauge set are opened, the refrigerant in the system will escape through this hose.