Handling Of Refrigerant Lines And Fittings

CAUTION: For personal protection, goggles and gloves should be worn and a clean cloth wrapped around fittings, valves, and connections when doing work that includes opening the refrigerant system. If R-134a comes in contact with any part of the body severe frostbite and personal injury can result. The exposed area should be flushed immediately with cold water and prompt medical help should be obtained.

^ Ensure that all metal tubing lines are free of dents or kinks in order to prevent the loss of system capacity due to line restriction.
^ DO NOT bend the hose lines to a radius of less than four times the diameter of the hose.
^ DO NOT allow the hose lines to come within a distance of 63.5 mm (2 1/2 in) of the exhaust manifold.
^ Inspect the flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness.
^ Replace with new hose lines it deterioration or leaking occurs.
^ When disconnecting any fitting in the refrigeration system, discharge the system of all refrigerant 134a. Refer to Recovering the Refrigerant, A/C and Recycling, Adding Oil, Evacuating and Recharging Procedures.
^ When the refrigerant line is opened to the atmosphere, cap or tape the line immediately in order to prevent entry of moisture and dirt.
^ Use the proper wrenches when making the connections on the O-ring fittings.
^ Back up the opposing fitting with a wrench in order to prevent distortion of connecting lines or components.
^ Tighten all the tubing connection to the specified torque. Too little or too much torque when tightening results in loose joints or deformed joint parts. Either condition results in refrigerant leakage and an inoperative air conditioning system. Refer to Fitting Tightening Specifications.
^ The O-rings and seats must be in perfect condition. A burr or piece of dirt may cause a refrigerant leak.
^ Install the new O-rings with the lubrication of 525 viscosity refrigerant oil. DO NOT use PAG oil.
^ Keep Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil off the fitting threads. Long term contact of PAG oil on threads may cause future disassembly difficulties.
^ Flush the threads of the fittings with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil. DO NOT use PAG oil. DO NOT wipe the threads with a cloth.