Refrigerant System Evacuate

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE

CAUTION: Do NOT run the engine with a vacuum pump in operation or with a vacuum present within the A/C system. Failure to follow this caution will result in serious A/C compressor damage.

NOTE: Special effort must be used to prevent moisture from entering the A/C system oil. Moisture in the oil is very difficult to remove and will cause a reliability problem with the A/C compressor.

If an A/C compressor designed to use R-134a refrigerant is left open to the atmosphere for an extended period of time. It is recommended that the refrigerant oil be drained and replaced with new oil or a new A/C compressor be used. This will eliminate the possibility of contaminating the refrigerant system.

If the refrigerant system has been open to the atmosphere, it must be evacuated before the system can be filled. Moisture and air mixed with the refrigerant will raise the compressor head pressure above acceptable operating levels. This will reduce the performance of the A/C system and damage the A/C compressor. Moisture will boil at near room temperature when exposed to vacuum. To evacuate the refrigerant system:

NOTE: When connecting the service equipment coupling to the line fitting, verify that the valve of the coupling is fully closed. This will reduce the amount of effort required to make the connection.

1. Recover the refrigerant system Refrigerant System Recovery.
2. With the engine OFF, connect a suitable charging station, refrigerant recovery machine or a manifold gauge set with vacuum pump and refrigerant recovery equipment Refrigerant System Service Equipment. Do not operate the engine with a vacuum on the A/C system.
3. Open the suction and discharge valves and start the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump should run a minimum of 45 minutes prior to charge to eliminate all moisture in system. When the suction gauge reads to the lowest degree of vacuum possible (approximately -88 kPa (- 26 in. Hg) or greater) for 30 minutes, close all valves and turn off vacuum pump. If the system fails to reach specified vacuum, the refrigerant system likely has a leak that must be corrected. If the refrigerant system maintains specified vacuum for at least 30 minutes, start the vacuum pump, open the suction and discharge valves. Then allow the system to evacuate an additional 10 minutes.
4. Close all valves. Turn off and disconnect the vacuum pump.
5. Charge the refrigerant system Refrigerant System Charge.