GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2008 🢒 SLS 🢒 HVAC 🢒 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 🢒 Flushing

Special Tools

    • J 41447 R-134A A/C Tracer Dye - Box of 24
    • J 42220 Universal 12V Leak Detection Lamp
    • J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center
    • J 45268 A/C Flush Adapter Kit

Object Number: 1389922 Size: SH

Important: Flushing is not intended to remove metal from the A/C system.

Flushing is intended to remove the following:

    • Contaminated polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oil
    • Desiccant, following a desiccant bag failure
    • Overcharge of PAG oil
    • Refrigerant contamination

Forward Flushing Setup

    Important: 

       • Forward flow refrigerant flushing is recommended for contaminated refrigerant or PAG oil.
       • Inspect and lubricate the J 45268 fitting O-ring. Refer to O-Ring Replacement.

  1. Install the J 45268-7 (2) onto the suction line adapter block J 45268-13 (1).
  2. Install the J 45268-8 (3) onto the suction line adapter block J 45268-12 (4).

Reverse Flushing Setup

    Object Number: 1389919 Size: SH

    Important: 

       • Reverse flow refrigerant flush is recommended for desiccant bag failure. Replace the condenser/receiver dehydrator assembly when the A/C flush is complete and perform the following procedure:
       • Inspect and lubricate the J 45268 fitting O-ring. Refer to O-Ring Replacement.

  1. Install the J 45268-8 (2) onto the suction line adapter block J 45268-13 (1).
  2. Install the J 45268-7 (3) onto the suction line adapter block J 45268-12 (4).

Flush Procedure

    Object Number: 1388239 Size: SH

    Important: Warmer engine or ambient temperatures decreases the refrigerant recovery time during the A/C flush procedure.

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.
  2. Remove the thermal expansion valve (TXV). Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement.
  3. Install new O-rings onto the evaporator core and A/C lines. Refer to O-Ring Replacement.
  4. Install the A/C pipeline to the J 45268-110.
  5. Install J 45268-110 onto the evaporator core.

    6. Object Number: 1388251 Size: SH
  6. Install the TXV line bracket.

    7. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  7. Install TXV mounting bolts.

    8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 3.5 N·m (31 lb in).

  8. Replace the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement.

    9. Object Number: 787687 Size: SH

    Important: The filter inside J 45268-1 is serviceable. Remove and discard the check valve from the filter.

  9. Service the filter with AC Delco P/N GF 470, before each flush.

    10. Object Number: 1389915 Size: SH

    Important: Install new O-rings onto the A/C discharge and suction lines. Refer to O-Ring Replacement.

  10. Install the J 45268-13 to the A/C suction line.
  11. Install the J 45268-12 to the A/C discharge line.
  12. Connect the J 45268-1 flush filter to the J 45268-7 flush fitting.
  13. Connect the blue hose from the J 43600 to J 45268-1 flush filter adapter.
  14. Connect the red hose from the J 43600 to J 45268-8 flush fitting.

    15. Important: Close the valve on the external refrigerant tank, before starting the flush process.

  15. Flush the A/C system. Follow the instructions supplied with the J 43600 .
  16. Disconnect the red hose from the J 43600 to J 45268-8 flush fitting.
  17. Disconnect the blue hose from the J 43600 to J 45268-1 flush filter adapter.
  18. Disconnect the J 45268-1 flush filter from the J 45268-7 flush fitting.
  19. Remove the J 45268-12 from the A/C discharge line.
  20. Remove the J 45268-13 from the A/C suction line.

    21. Object Number: 1544588 Size: SH

    Important: Flushing will remove all the PAG oil from the A/C system.

    The A/C system must be replenished with the correct amount of PAG oil.

  21. If you will reinstall the removed A/C compressor, perform the following procedure:
    22. 21.1. Remove the drain oil bolt from the removed compressor.
    21.2. Drain the PAG oil from the A/C compressor. Rotate the compressor input shaft to assist in draining the PAG oil from the compressor.
    21.3. Add the total system capacity of PAG oil into the A/C compressor. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities.

            Important: Flushing will remove the fluorescent leak detection dye from the A/C system.

    21.4. Add one bottle of J 41447 directly to the A/C compressor.

    Important: A new service compressor is shipped with a full charge of PAG oil. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities.

  22. Install the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement.

    23. Object Number: 1388251 Size: SH
  23. Remove the TXV mounting bolts.
  24. Remove the TXV line bracket.

    25. Object Number: 1388239 Size: SH
  25. Remove J 45268-110 from the evaporator core.
  26. Remove the A/C lines from J 45268-110.
  27. Inspect the TXV for debris. Clean or replace as needed.
  28. Replace the desiccant bag. Refer to Air Conditioning Refrigerant Desiccant Replacement.
  29. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.
  30. Leak test the fittings using J 42220 .