Notice: The use of proper wrenches when loosening or making connections is important.
A backup wrench should be used on the brazed or welded fitting
to prevent distortion of A/C lines.
Notice: Never use alcohol in the refrigeration system to remove moisture. Damage
to the system components may occur.
Important: Handle refrigerant and fittings carefully.
| • | Before you open the refrigeration system, ensure that the area
is well ventilated. Do not complete any welding or steam-cleaning operations
on or near the refrigeration system lines or other air conditioning components
on the vehicle. |
| • | Keep all of the metal tubing lines free from dents or kinks in
order to prevent the loss of system capacity due to line restriction. |
| • | Do not bend the flexible hose lines to a radius of less than four
times the diameter of the hose. |
| • | Do not allow the flexible hose lines to come within 6.5 mm
(2.5 in) of the exhaust manifold. |
| • | Regularly inspect the flexible hose lines for leaks or brittleness.
Replace the hose lines if you find leaks or brittleness. |
| • | Recover all of the Refrigerant-134a when you disconnect any fitting
in the refrigerant system. Proceed cautiously regardless of the gauge readings.
Open the fitting slowly. Keep your face and hands away in order to prevent
injury. If you notice pressure when you loosen a fitting, allow the pressure
to bleed off slowly. |
| • | If a refrigerant line is opened to the atmosphere, cap the line
immediately in order to prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt. Moisture
and dirt cause the following conditions: |
| • | Internal compressor wear |
| • | Plugged condenser lines |
| • | Plugged evaporator core lines |
| • | Plugged expansion (orifice) tube lines |
| • | Plugged compressor inlet screen lines |
| • | Remove the sealing caps from the subassemblies just before you
make the connections for the final assembly. Use a small amount of clean 525
viscosity refrigerant oil on all of the tubes and the hose joints. The oil
aids in assembly and helps provide a leakproof joint. Ensure that the O-ring
seals and the seats are in perfect condition. A burr or a piece of dirt
can cause a refrigerant leak. |
| • | Use the proper wrenches when you make connections
on the O-ring seal fittings. Improper wrenches may damage the connection.
Use a wrench in order to backup the opposing fitting in order to prevent
distortion of the connecting lines or the components. When you connect
the flexible hose connections, use three different wrenches hold the following
components at the same time in order to prevent the fitting from turning
and damaging the seat: |
