Refrigerant Charging Procedure
Refrigerant Charging ProcedurePROCEDURE
PREPARATION TOOL:
Manifold gauge set
Vacuum pump
Can tap
Weight scale
CAUTION:
- While working, be sure to wear protective goggles and protective gloves.
- Air in the cycle can cause insufficient air conditioning, and water in the cycle can cause clogging in the cycle (icing) and rust. To remove this air and water content, use a vacuum pump to perform evacuation before filling with refrigerant. By making the inside of the cycle a vacuum, the water content will evaporate even at normal temperatures, and can be removed.
1. Attach the manifold gauge set.
1. Confirm that all valves are fully closed.
2. Install the low/high pressure hoses to the service ports on the low/high pressure sides of the vehicle respectively.
CAUTION: Confirm that the connections are secure.
3. Connect the center manifold hose of the manifold gauge to the vacuum pump.
2. Perform evacuation.
CAUTION: Make sure to perform evacuation using a vacuum pump.
1. Open the low-pressure, high-pressure and center valves.
2. Operate the vacuum pump.
3. Perform evacuation for 5 minutes or more, and when the low pressure gauge needle reaches -0.1 MPa (1.0 kgf/sq.cm, 14 psi), close the center manifold hose valve, and stop the vacuum pump.
4. Leave alone for 5 to 10 minutes after closing the low pressure side and high pressure side valves, and check whether there is any change in the low pressure gauge needle indication.
If the needle position changes, this indicates a leak. Check the pipe and hose connections, and repair the location with the problem.
After repair, retry charging the refrigerant from the step 1).
5. If there is no leakage, continue evacuation for additional 20 to 30 minutes, close all valves and stop the vacuum pump.
3. Charge refrigerant.
1. Follow the can tap operation manual, install to the refrigerant can.
2. Disconnect the center manifold hose from the vacuum pump, and connect the hose to the tap valve.
NOTE: When 13.6 kg (30 lb) refrigerant container (1) is used, measure the amount of refrigerant with a refrigerant charging scale (2), and connect with the center manifold hose.
3. Open the tap valve of the HFC-134a supply container (refrigerant container or refrigerant can).
4. Loosen the center manifold hose connection on the manifold gauge for a few seconds (if there is a purge valve on the manifold gauge, push this instead) to allow the air in the center manifold hose to be bled by the refrigerant pressure.
5. Open the low pressure side and high pressure side valves of the manifold gauge to fill with refrigerant.
NOTE: If the HFC-134a supply container is empty, close all manifold gauge valves and the tap valve of HFC-134a supply container, and replace the empty supply container with a new one. After replacing with a new HFC-134a supply container, perform air purge, and resume the filling operation.
6. When the low-pressure gauge needle is approximately 0.2 MPa (2.0 kgf/sq.cm, 29 psi) or if the refrigerant filling efficiency drops, close the low-pressure side valve and high-pressure side valve.
7. Confirm that the low-pressure and high-pressure side valves are closed, and turn the A/C switch to OFF and start the engine.
CAUTION: When filling with the engine running, do not open the high pressure side valve. Always fill from the low pressure side.
8. To prevent damage to the compressor, push the A/C switch ON-OFF quickly a few times.
9. Set the vehicle to the following conditions.
10. Open the low-pressure side valve, check the refrigerant pressure on the manifold gauge and charge the refrigerant to the specified amount.
4. Using an electronic leak tester, check for refrigerant leaks in the system.
5. After charging with refrigerant, close all valves and remove the manifold gauge set.
6. Attach the cap to the low-pressure service port and high-pressure service port.