PROCEDURE
RECOVER REFRIGERANT FROM REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Remove the cool air intake duct seal.
Start the engine.
Operate the compressor under the conditions shown below:
Item | Condition |
---|---|
Operating time | 3 minutes or more |
Temperature setting | Max cool |
Blower speed | High |
Engine | Idling |
A/C switch | On |
This causes most of the compressor oil from the various components of the A/C system to collect in the compressor.
Tech Tips
It is not necessary to operate the compressor if the A/C does not operate because of compressor lock, etc.
Stop the engine.
Recover the refrigerant from the A/C system using a refrigerant recovery unit.
Tech Tips
Use the refrigerant recovery unit in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual.
CHARGE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH REFRIGERANT
Perform vacuum purging using a vacuum pump or appropriate equipment.
Charge the air conditioning system with refrigerant.
Refrigerant Type |
---|
HFC-134a (R134a) |
*a | Standard Charge Amount | *b | Mean Value in Proper Range |
*c | Overcharged | *d | High Pressure |
*e | Sub-cool System | *f | Refrigerant Amount |
Standard Charge Amount |
---|
520 to 620 g (18.4 to 21.8 oz.) |
Note
Do not turn the A/C switch on before charging the air conditioning system with refrigerant. Doing so may cause the compressor to work without refrigerant, resulting in overheating of the compressor.
The refrigerant amount should be checked by quantity (weight).
The graph above is shown for reference only.
Tech Tips
Ensure that sufficient refrigerant is available to recharge the system when using a refrigerant recovery unit. Refrigerant recovery units are not always able to recover 100% of the refrigerant from an air conditioning system.
WARM UP ENGINE
Keep the A/C switch on for at least 2 minutes to warm up the compressor.
Note
To prevent damage to the compressor, be sure to warm up the compressor when turning the air conditioning on after removing and installing air conditioning system lines (including the compressor).
INSPECT FOR REFRIGERANT LEAK
After recharging the air conditioning system with refrigerant, inspect for refrigerant leaks using a halogen leak detector.
Carry out the test under the following conditions:
Turn the engine switch off.
Ensure good ventilation (the halogen leak detector may react to volatile gases which are not refrigerant, such as gasoline vapor and exhaust gas).
Repeat the inspection 2 or 3 times.
Measure the pressure to make sure that there is some refrigerant remaining in the air conditioning system.
Pressure when the compressor is off: approximately 392 to 588 kPa (3.9 to 5.9 kgf/cm2, 57 to 85 psi)
*a | Inspect for Leak |
*b | Halogen Leak Detector |
Using a halogen leak detector, inspect for refrigerant leaks from the air conditioning system.
*1 | Drain Cooler Hose |
*a | Halogen Leak Detector |
Bring the halogen leak detector close to the drain cooler hose with the detector power off, and then turn the detector on.
Tech Tips
After the blower motor has stopped, leave the cooling unit for more than 15 minutes.
Bring the halogen leak detector sensor under the drain cooler hose.
When bringing the halogen leak detector close to the drain cooler hose, make sure that the halogen leak detector does not react to volatile gases. If it is not possible to avoid interference from volatile gases, the vehicle should be lifted up to allow checking for leaks.
If a refrigerant leak is not detected from the drain cooler hose, remove the blower motor control from the cooling unit. Insert the halogen leak detector sensor into the unit and check for leaks.
Disconnect the pressure sensor connector and leave it for approximately 20 minutes. Bring the halogen leak detector close to the pressure sensor and check for leaks.
Tech Tips
When checking for leaks, the presence of oily dirt at a joint can indicate a leak.
Install the cool air intake duct seal.