Technician Safety Information

Safety measures

The refrigerant used in this air conditioning system is R-134a (tetrafluoroethane).

Refrigerant R-134a replaces refrigerant R-12 which is reported to have harmful effects on the earth's ozone layer.

R-134a and R-12 systems are similar in design but there are important differences in the refrigerant, lubrication oils, service equipment and A/C system components.

CAUTION:
- For a R-134a A/C system always use an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved refrigerant recovery, recycling and recharging unit, such as Kent-Moore ACR4, or equivalent.
- As of January 1, 1992, 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.

WARNING:
- The A/C system is filled with refrigerant gas which is under pressure.
- Be careful that refrigerant does not come in contact with your skin.
- If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with your skin or eyes:
- Do not rub skin or eyes.
- Immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes.
- Rush to a doctor or hospital.
- Do not attempt to treat yourself
- Switch on exhaust and ventilation systems of your shop when working on the refrigerant system.
- Work in a well ventilated area because refrigerant gas is heavier than air and displaces oxygen. In poorly ventilated areas as under a car there is danger of suffocation.
- Avoid breathing refrigerant vapors. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose and throat.
- Always wear gloves and goggles when working on the A/C refrigerant system.
- Do not expose any component of the A/C system to high temperatures above 80°C (176°F) or open flames. Excessive heat will cause the pressure to increase and could burst the system.
- Keep refrigerant containers below 50°C (122°F) and never drop them from high places. Do not warm refrigerant containers with an open flame. If refrigerant containers need to be warmed, place bottom of tank in warm water.
- Keep refrigerant away from open flames because poisonous gas will be produced when it burns. Do not smoke when refrigerant gas is present for the same reason.
- Electric welding near refrigerant lines causes R-134a to decompose from ultra violet light. Discharge system before electric welding.
- Pressurized R-134a refrigerant in the presence of oxygen may form a combustible mixture. Never introduce compressed air into any closed R-134a container, full or empty, A/C component or piece of service equipment.
- Do not exceed maximum rated capacity of refrigerant containers. Never fill a container to more than 60% of its gross weight rating (for example, 18 lb. in a 30 lb. container). Without sufficient room for expansion (gas cushion) the container could explode when the temperature raises, causing serious personal injury.
- Do not steam clean condensers or evaporators. Use only cold water or compressed air.

CAUTION:
- R-12 and R-134a refrigerants must not be mixed. Never add R-12 refrigerant to an R-134a system or R-134a refrigerant to an R-12 system. If the refrigerants are mixed, total system contamination would occur and the compressor could fail as a result.
- Refrigerant oils used for the R-12 and R-134a systems must not be mixed. Use only the specified synthetic oil polyalkylene glycol (PAG) for the R-134a system. Should the oils be mixed, total system contamination would occur and the compressor could fail as a result.
- R-134a refrigerant oil (PAG oil) absorbs moisture very rapidly. Moisture combined with the refrigerant forms acid which will damage the system. Use only the specified oil from a sealed container and always reseal the oil container immediately after use. Do not use oil if it has become contaminated with moisture or if the container has been left open.
- Immediately plug open connections on A/C components to prevent dirt and moisture to enter. Do not remove any new component from packaging until ready to install. Immediately tighten connections after installation.
- Always use separate refrigerant recovery, recycling, charging and 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 will contaminate and damage the equipment. Servicing equipment includes recovery, recycling, charging and servicing 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 or damage to both the vehicle A/C system and servicing equipment could 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 adapters to convert an R-12 fitting to an R-134a size or an R-134a size to an R-12 size.
- R-134a and R-12 A/C components including compressor, hoses, 0-rings, evaporator, condenser, receiver-dryer, etc., are not interchangeable. Components of the R-134a system are identified by lettering "R-134a" or by a green label or stripe. In addition, a label on the evaporator housing (below plenum tray) identifies which type of refrigerant is used. Use only the correct system component for each refrigerant type.
- Always replace damaged or leaking A/C system components. Do not attempt to repair by welding. brazing or soldering.
- Your work area must be extremely clean when working on A/C system components.
- Use only tools and equipment specified for use with R-134a.
- Switch on existing exhaust and ventilation systems when working on the refrigerant system.
- Discharge A/C system using recovery, recycling, charging and servicing unit Kent-Moore ACR4 or equivalent before removing any A/C component
- Always replace O-rings, do not reuse. Use only the correct size and type of 0-rings specified for R-134a refrigerant. Lubricate 0-ring with R-134a refrigerant oil before installing.
- Always reinstall caps over A/C service valves.