A/C - Identification of Non Approved Refrigerants: Overview

Article No.
99-19-6

09/20/99

^ AIR CONDITIONING - IDENTIFICATION OF
NON-FORD APPROVED REFRIGERANTS

^ AIR CONDITIONING - PURGING AIR FROM SYSTEM

FORD:
1985-1986 LTD
1985-1988 EXP
1985-1994 TEMPO
1985-1997 THUNDERBIRD
1985-2000 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG
1986-2000 TAURUS
1988-1993 FESTIVA
1989-1997 PROBE
1994-1997 ASPIRE
1995-2000 CONTOUR
2000 FOCUS
1985-1990 BRONCO II
1985-1996 BRONCO
1985-1997 F-250 HD, F-350
1985-2000 ECONOLINE, F-150, F-250 LD, RANGER
1986-1997 AEROSTAR
1988-1997 F SUPER DUTY
1991-2000 EXPLORER
1995-2000 WINDSTAR
1997-2000 EXPEDITION
1999-2000 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
1985-1991 CL-CLT-9000 SERIES
1985-1999 L SERIES
1985-2000 F & B SERIES
1986-1998 CARGO SERIES
1997-1998 AEROMAX, LOUISVILLE

LINCOLN:
1985-1992 MARK VII
1985-2000 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR
1993-1998 MARK VIII
2000 LS
1998-2000 NAVIGATOR

MERCURY:
1985-1986 MARQUIS
1985-1987 LYNX
1985-1994 TOPAZ
1985-1997 COUGAR
1985-2000 GRAND MARQUIS
1986-2000 SABLE
1987-1989 TRACER
1991-1994 CAPRI
1991-2000 TRACER
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2000 COUGAR
1993-2000 VILLAGER
1997-2000 MOUNTAINEER

MERKUR:
1985-1989 XR4TI
1988-1989 SCORPIO

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to add model year vehicles

ISSUE
A number of non-approved/alternate refrigerants have entered the marketplace and are being advertised as "drop-in replacements" for R-12 and R-134a. The use of non-approved refrigerants such as R-22, hydrocarbons, and other refrigerant blends could cause safety, durability, and performance concerns if they are installed in Ford A/C systems. Identification of the type of refrigerant contained in vehicle A/C systems, before servicing, is necessary to prevent dealer service equipment and refrigerant supplies from being contaminated with non-approved refrigerants.

ACTION
Refrigerant identification must be performed prior to recovering the refrigerant into a recovery machine to prevent cross-contamination of the recovery machine and other A/C systems being serviced with that recovery machine. Refer to the following text.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 94-14-3, 95-18-4

SUPERSEDES: 98-12-8

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage For 1993-2000 Model Year Vehicles, Basic Warranty Coverage For All Other Model Year Vehicles

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

991906A Test A/C System For 0.3 Hr.
Contaminated Refrigerant

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
R-12 49

OASIS CODES: 208000, 208999