Caution: Refer to Breathing R-134a Caution in the Preface section.
Caution: Always wear goggles and wrap a clean cloth around fittings, valves, and connections
when performing work that involves opening the refrigerant system.
Air conditioning systems contain refrigerant. This is a chemical mixture which
requires special handling procedures to avoid personal injury.
Always wear goggles and wrap a clean cloth around the fittings, the valves,
and the connections when performing work that involves opening the refrigerant system.
Do not weld or steam clean on or near any vehicle-installed air conditioning lines
or components.
All refrigerant drums are shipped with a heavy metal screw cap. The purpose
of the cap is to protect the valve and the safety plug from damage. It is good practice
to replace the cap after each use of the drum.
If it is necessary to transport or carry any container of refrigerant in a vehicle,
do not carry it in the passenger compartment.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
| • | Keep all metal tubing lines free of dents or kinks. Any line restrictions
will cause the loss of system capacity. |
| • | Never bend a flexible hose line to a radius of less than 4 times
the diameter of the hose. |
| • | Never allow a flexible hose line to come near the exhaust manifold. |
| • | Inspect flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness. |
| • | Replace flexible hose lines with new lines if you find signs of deterioration
or leaking. |
| • | Discharge the refrigeration system of all refrigerant before disconnecting
any fitting in the refrigeration system. |
| • | Proceed very cautiously regardless of the gage readings. |
| • | Open the fittings very slowly. |
| • | Keep your face and your hands away from the fitting so that you will not
be injured if there happens to be liquid refrigerant in the line. |
| • | Cap or tape any refrigerant line immediately after it is opened. This
will prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt, which can cause internal compressor
wear or plugged lines in the condenser, the evaporator core, the expansion valve,
or the compressor inlet screens. |
Important: Use 2 proper wrenches to connect the
O-ring fittings.
| • | Back up the opposing fitting to prevent distortion of the connecting lines
or the components. |
| • | Back up both the swaged fitting on the flexible hose connections and the
coupling to which it is attached with 2 wrenches to prevent turning the fitting
and damaging the ground seat. |
| • | Keep the O-rings and the seats in perfect condition. A burr or a piece
of dirt may cause a refrigerant leak. |
| • | Dip new O-rings in clean PAG refrigerant oil before installation. |
