EVAPORATOR/CONDENSER INSPECTION

1. Discharge the refrigerant from the system. (See DISCHARGING AND RECOVERY.)

2. Disconnect the suspect evaporator or condenser from the A/C system. (See EVAPORATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [L.H.D.].)(See EVAPORATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [R.H.D.].) (See CONDENSER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)

3. Clean the spring lock couplings. (See SPRING LOCK COUPLING CLEANING.)

4. Connect the appropriate test fittings from the A/C Test Fitting Set to the evaporator or condenser tube connections.

5. Connect the red and blue hoses from the manifold gauge set to the test fittings on the evaporator or condenser. Connect the yellow hose to a known good vacuum pump.

Note

• The automatic shut-off valves on some gauge set hoses do not open when connected to the test fittings. If available, use hoses without shut-off valves. If hoses with shut-off valves are used, make sure the valve opens when attached to the test fittings or install an adapter which will activate the valve. The test is not valid if the shut-off valve does not open.

6. Open both gauge set valves and start the vacuum pump. Allow the vacuum pump to operate for a minimum of 45 min after the gauge set low pressure gauge indicates 101 kPa {30 inHg}. The 45-minute evacuation is necessary to remove any refrigerant from oil left in the evaporator or condenser. If the refrigerant is not completely removed from the oil, outgassing will degrade the vacuum and appear as a refrigerant leak.

7. If the low pressure gauge reading will not drop to 101 kPa {30 inHg} when the valves on the gauge and manifold set are open and the vacuum pump is operating, close the gauge set valves and observe the low pressure gauge. If the pressure rises rapidly to zero, a large leak is indicated. Recheck the test fitting connections and gauge set connections before installing a new evaporator or condenser.

8. After evacuating for 45 min, close the gauge set valves and stop the vacuum pump. Observe the low pressure gauge; it should remain at the 101 kPa {30 inHg} mark.

(1) If the low pressure gauge reading rises 34 or more kPa {10 or more inHg} of vacuum from the 101 kPa {30 inHg} position in 10 min, a leak is indicated.

(2) If a very small leak is suspected, wait 30 min and observe the vacuum gauge.

(3) If a small amount of vacuum is lost, operate the vacuum pump with gauge valves open for an additional 30 min to remove any remaining refrigerant from the oil in the evaporator or condenser. Then recheck for loss of vacuum.

(4) If a very small leak is suspected, allow the system to sit overnight with vacuum applied and check for vacuum loss.

9. If the evaporator or condenser does leak, as verified by the above procedure, install a new evaporator or condenser. (See EVAPORATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [L.H.D.].)(See EVAPORATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [R.H.D.].) (See CONDENSER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.)