Refrigerant System Charging Set-Up

Ford Motor Company recommends using a charging station to perform evacuation and charging of the refrigerant system. Follow the instructions provided with the charging station.

If a charging station is not available, system charging may be accomplished using a separate vacuum pump, charging cylinder and manifold gauge set. The use of small cans of R-134a is not recommended.

If the charging cylinder method is used, the center port of the manifold gauge set should have two refrigerant hoses with integral shut-off valves built into the manifold gauge set. If the gauge set does not have shut-off valves and two hoses at the center port, a tee fitting and two hoses should be installed at the center port. In addition, the hoses attached to the center port should have shut-off valves at the other ends of the two center hoses to prevent air from entering the hoses when not connected to the vacuum pump and charging cylinder.