Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Refrigerant Recovery


1. Connect gauges into system, and adjust controls for maximum cooling. This is necessary when the system has not been operating to return excess oil to the compressor.
2. Operate engine for 10 to 15 minutes to stabilize the system at 1500---1750 rpm.
3. Adjust engine speed to slow idle, then shut off engine and controls.
4. Open low side hand manifold valve slightly, using a container to catch oil and refrigerant. Do not discharge the refrigerant near an open flame as a toxic gas (phosgene) can result.
5. Open high side manifold valve slightly. Open hand valve(s) only enough to bleed refrigerant from system. Too rapid purging will draw excessive oil from compressor and system.
6. Close gauge manifold hand valves when refrigerant ceases to bleed from discharge hose and manifold gauges read zero.