Working On Refrigerant Circuit
There is a risk of getting frostbite from the refrigerant.
Refrigerant can come out under pressure when working on the A/C system. Frostbite on the skin and other parts of the body is possible.
-- Wear safety gloves.
-- Wear protective eyewear.
-- Extract refrigerant and open the refrigerant circuit immediately.
-- If more than 10 minutes elapse after extracting the refrigerant and the refrigerant circuit was not opened, extract the refrigerant again. Pressure can develop in the refrigerant circuit due to evaporation.
Flush the refrigerant circuit with refrigerant R134a / R1234yf under the following conditions:
If there is dirt or other contamination in the refrigerant circuit.
If the vacuum reading does not stay the same when evacuating a leak-free refrigerant circuit (pressure build-up due to moisture in the refrigerant circuit).
The refrigerant circuit has been left open for longer than normal (for example, after a collision).
If pressure and temperature measurements in the refrigerant circuit indicate that there is moisture in the refrigerant circuit.
If there is any uncertainty as to how much refrigerant oil is in the refrigerant circuit.
The A/C compressor had to be replaced due to internal damage (for example, noise or no output).
Other qualifications are required when opening the refrigerant circuit.
Only use approved tools when working on the refrigerant circuit.
Further Information
- Additional information on vehicles with A/C and handling refrigerant. Refer to Safety Precautions or the appropriate Service Information .
- For information regarding work on vehicles with A/C using the A/C Service Station, refer to Working with A/C Service Station or the appropriate Service Information .
- Condition and procedure for flushing with refrigerant R1234yf. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, CLEANING or ADAPTER FOR ASSEMBLING FLUSHING CIRCUIT .
- Information for testing equipment and special tools when repairing vehicles with A/C can be found in ELSA. Refer to the appropriate Refrigerant R1234yf General Information or the appropriate Service Information .
- Under certain conditions, the desiccant bag no longer needs to be replaced each time the refrigerant circuit is opened on A/C systems with refrigerant R1234yf. Refer to COMPONENTS, REPLACING .
- Under certain conditions, the desiccant bag no longer needs to be replaced each time the refrigerant circuit is opened on A/C systems with refrigerant R134a. Refer to the appropriate Service Information .