General Safety Information

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.
- 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.
- R-134a and R-12 systems are similar in design but there are very important differences in the refrigerants, lubricating oils, service equipment and A/C System components.
- A/C System is filled with refrigerant which is under pressure.
- Always 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 existing exhaust/ventilation systems when working on the refrigerant system.
- Work in a well ventilated area because refrigerants are heavier than air, displace oxygen and may cause suffocation in areas of poor air circulation, such as under a car.
- Avoid breathing refrigerant vapors. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose and throat
- Always wear hand and eye protection (gloves and goggles) when working around 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 a pressure increase which could burst the system.
- Keep refrigerant containers stored below 50° c (122° f) and never drop from high places. Do not warm refrigerant containers with an open flame. If refrigerant needs to be warmed, place bottom of tank in warm water.
- Keep refrigerant away from open flames because poisonous gas will be produced if it burns. Do not smoke when refrigerants are present for the same reason.
- Electric welding near refrigerant hoses causes R-134a to decompose from ultraviolet 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 steam clean condensers or evaporators. Use only cold water or compressed air.
- 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 of R-134a (gas cushion), the container could explode when the temperature rises causing serious injury.

CAUTION:
- R-12 and R-134a refrigerants are not compatible. 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 will occur and compressor failure may result
- Refrigerant oils used for the R-134a system and R-12 system are not compatible. Use only the specified synthetic oil (Polyalkylene Glycol/PAG) for the R-134a refrigerant system. Do not use R-12 system oil in an R-134a system or R-134a system oil in an R-12 system. If the refrigerant oils are mixed, system contamination will occur and compressor failure may result
- R-134a refrigerant system oil (PAG oil) absorbs moisture very rapidly. Moisture combines with the refrigerant to form acids which will damage the system. Use only the specified oil from a sealed container and always reseal oil container immediately after use. Do not use oil if it has become contaminated with moisture or if container has been left open.
- Immediately plug open connections on A/C components to prevent dirt and moisture contamination. Likewise, do not remove new component from packaging until ready to install. Immediately tighten component connections after installation.
- Always use separate refrigerant recovery/ recycling/ re-charging 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/ 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-134a 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.
- R-134a and R-12 A/C components including compressor, hoses, O-rings, evaporator, condenser, receiver-drier 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 and / or leaking A/C System components. Do not attempt repair by soldering, brazing or welding.
- Work area must be extremely clean when working on A/C System components.
- Use only tools, equipment and parts specified for use with R-134a.
- Switch on existing exhaust / ventilation systems when working on the refrigerant system.
- Discharge A/C System using refrigerant recovery/ recycling/ recharging unit Kent-Moore ACR4, or equivalent, before removing any A/C System component
- Always replace O-rings, do not reuse. Use only the correct size and type of O-rings specified for use with R-134a refrigerant Lubricate O-ring with refrigerant - oil before installing.
- Always reinstall cap(s) over A/C service valve(s).