Refrigerant System Charging Set-Up

Ford Motor Company recommends using Rotunda R-134a A/C Service Center 176-00001 or Rotunda R134a Mobile Recycle Center 023-00150 or equivalent to perform evacuation and charging of the refrigerant system. Follow the instructions provided with the equipment.

If a service center 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 refrigerant 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 shutoff valves built into the manifold gauge set. If the gauge set is the type that 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 shutoff 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.