A/C SYSTEM FLUSHING

Warning

• Use extreme care and observe all safety and service precautions related to the use of refrigerants. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

• Due to refrigerant hazards, always wear safety goggles and non-penetrable gloves when working on or flushing A/C systems. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Caution

• A/C Refrigerant Analyzer must be used before the recovery of any vehicle's A/C refrigerant. Failure to do so puts the shop's bulk refrigerant at risk of contamination. If the vehicle's A/C refrigerant is contaminated, refer the customer to the service facility that carried out the last A/C service. If the customer wishes to pay the additional cost, use the A/C recovery equipment that is designated for recovering contaminated A/C refrigerant. All contaminated A/C refrigerant must be disposed of as hazardous waste. For all equipment, follow the equipment manufacturer's procedures and instructions.

• Accumulator tank, muffler, hoses, thermal expansion valve, and fixed orifice tube should be removed when flushing the A/C system. Internal plumbing of these devices makes it impossible to correctly remove any residual-flushing agent. Except for the hoses, these components are typically discarded after A/C system contamination. Hoses can normally be reused unless they are clogged with foreign material. The 3.785 L {3785.41 cc, 128 fl oz} of A/C Systems Flushing Solvent and filter used in A/C Flusher are intended for use on one vehicle only. They may be used to flush both the A/C condenser core and the evaporator on an individual vehicle, but under no circumstances should they be used on more than one vehicle.

1. The procedure allows the specific components to be cleaned and flushed while installed in their normal in-vehicle location. The types of contamination flushed include particle matter that results from A/C compressor or desiccant failure within the suction accumulator/drier and gummy residue that can form when compressor oil is overheated during A/C compressor seizure. The flushing process is a two-step procedure that involves the use of an A/C Flusher to:

(1) Circulate the flushing solvent through the heat exchanger in the reverse direction of normal refrigerant flow (back-flushing). Particulate matter picked up during flushing is filtered from the returning solvent before the solvent is returned to the reservoir for continued circulation.

(2) Remove the flushing solvent from the heat exchanger. In this step of the procedure, pressurized air 621-862 kPa {90-125 psi} is used to push and evaporate any remaining flush solvent from the heat exchanger.

Note

• Prior to using the A/C Flusher for the first time, review the operating instructions.

2. Discharge the A/C system. Observe all safety precautions. (See DISCHARGING AND RECOVERY.)

3. Disconnect the refrigerant lines from the heat exchanger(s) to be flushed.

4. Connect the A/C Flusher and A/C System Flusher Fitting Kit to the heat exchanger to be flushed. Do not flush through the A/C evaporator core orifice, mufflers or hoses. Internal plumbing and material make-up of these components make it impossible to correctly remove foreign material or residual flushing solvent.

5. Use 3.785 L {3785.41 cc, 128 fl oz} of A/C Systems Flushing Solvent to flush the heat exchanger for a minimum of 15 min. The flush solvent may be used for one or both heat exchangers in the A/C system. However, the flush solvent is intended for one vehicle only. The filter used on the flushing unit is also intended for use on one vehicle only.

6. Flush the component for a minimum of 15 min.

7. Apply 621-862 kPa {90-125 psi} pressurized air to the component for a minimum of 30 min. The 30 min purge time is required to force and evaporate all residual solvent from the A/C system component. Failure to successfully remove all residual solvent within the component can result in system damage when reconnected and operated. Dispose of the used flush solvent and filter in accordance with local, state and federal emissions.

8. Install new refrigerant hoses if clogged with foreign material.

9. Reconnect the heat exchanger being serviced.

10. Add additional compressor oil as necessary. (See COMPRESSOR OIL ADDING

11. Evacuate, leak test and charge the A/C system. (See DISCHARGING AND RECOVERY.) (See A/C SYSTEM EVACUATION AND CHARGING.)

12. Check the system for normal operation.