Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

A/C Refrigerant System, Discharging



WARNING!
- Always use an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit such as Kent-Moore ACR4, or equivalent, whenever discharging an R-134a A/C system.
- 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.
- Always wear safety goggles when discharging, evacuating or recharging an A/C system.


CAUTION!
- Always use separate refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging 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 in- side the equipment will contaminate and damage the equipment Servicing equipment includes recovery/recycling/recharging 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 systems or damage to both the vehicle A/C system and servicing equipment may result. Use only equipment designed to meet Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.
- R-734a and R-12 systems use different size service fittings. NEVER use adapters to convert an R-12 fitting to R-134a size or R-134a fitting to R-12 size.



NOTE: Follow all safety measures when discharging the A/C refrigerant system.


NOTE: Ensure initial set-up has been performed on the refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit before discharging A/C system.





- Connect red high pressure hose -A- of refrigerant recovery/ recycling/recharging unit to high pressure service valve (fitting) on vehicle and open coupler valve.
- Leave blue low pressure hose -B- of refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit disconnected.


NOTE: Only a high pressure service valve is used for A/C system servicing. A low pressure service valve is not installed in the A/C system. Perform all A/C system service operations (ie. discharging, evacuating and charging) through the high pressure service valve only


CAUTION!
Always follow manufacturer's instructions when using a refrigerant/recovery/recycling/recharging unit.



- Following refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit manufacturer's instructions, discharge A/C system into refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit.
- Disconnect power supply from A/C clutch to prevent accidental compressor operation with A/C system discharged.