Heating and Air Conditioning: Service Precautions

WARNING:
- WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SERVICING THE AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. SERIOUS EYE INJURY CAN RESULT FROM EYE CONTACT WITH REFRIGERANT. IF EYE CONTACT IS MADE, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
- DO NOT EXPOSE REFRIGERANT TO OPEN FLAME. POISONOUS GAS IS CREATED WHEN REFRIGERANT IS BURNED. AN ELECTRONIC TYPE LEAK DETECTOR IS RECOMMENDED.
- LARGE AMOUNTS OF REFRIGERANT RELEASED IN A CLOSED WORK AREA WILL DISPLACE THE OXYGEN AND CAUSE SUFFOCATION.
- THE EVAPORATION RATE OF REFRIGERANT AT AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AND ALTITUDE IS EXTREMELY HIGH. AS A RESULT, ANYTHING THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERANT WILL FREEZE. ALWAYS PROTECT SKIN OR DELICATE OBJECTS FROM DIRECT CONTACT WITH REFRIGERANT. R-134a SERVICE EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLE A/C SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE PRESSURE TESTED OR LEAK TESTED WITH COMPRESSED AIR.
- SOME MIXTURES OF AIR and R-134a HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE COMBUSTIBLE AT ELEVATED PRESSURES. THESE MIXTURES ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND MAY RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION CAUSING INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
- AVOID BREATHING A/C REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT VAPOR OR MIST. EXPOSURE MAY IRRITATE EYES, NOSE AND THROAT. USE ONLY APPROVED SERVICE EQUIPMENT MEETING SAE REQUIREMENTS TO DISCHARGE R-134a SYSTEM. IF ACCIDENTAL SYSTEM DISCHARGE OCCURS, VENTILATE WORK AREA BEFORE RESUMING SERVICE.
- R-134a SERVICE EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLE A/C SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE PRESSURE TESTED OR LEAK TESTED WITH COMPRESSED AIR. SOME MIXTURES OF AIR/R-134a HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE COMBUSTIBLE AT ELEVATED PRESSURES. THESE MIXTURES ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND MAY RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION CAUSING INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
- NEVER REMOVE REFRIGERANT LINE CLIP OR DISCONNECT BEFORE RECLAIMING ALL THE REFRIGERANT FROM THE SYSTEM. PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
- ANTIFREEZE IS AN ETHYLENE GLYCOL BASE COOLANT AND IS HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. DO NOT STORE IN OPEN OR UNMARKED CONTAINERS. WASH SKIN AND CLOTHING THOROUGHLY AFTER COMING IN CONTACT WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS.
- DO NOT OPEN A COOLING SYSTEM WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT RUNNING TEMPERATURE. PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.


SERVICE CAUTIONS

CAUTION:
- Liquid refrigerant is corrosive to metal surfaces. Follow the operating instructions supplied with the service equipment being used. Never add R-12 to a refrigerant system designed to use R-134a. Damage to the system will result. R-12 refrigerant oil must not be mixed with R-134a refrigerant oil. They are not compatible. Do not use R-12 equipment or parts on the R-134a system. Damage to the system will result. Do not overcharge the refrigerant system. This will cause excessive compressor head pressure and can cause noise and system failure. Recover the refrigerant before opening any fitting or connection. Open the fittings with caution, even after the system has been discharged. Never open or loosen a connection before recovering the refrigerant.
- Do not remove the secondary retention clip from any spring-lock coupler connection while the refrigerant system is under pressure. Recover the refrigerant before removing the secondary retention clip. Open the fittings with caution, even after the system has been discharged. Never open or loosen a connection before recovering the refrigerant. The refrigerant system must always be evacuated before charging.
- Do not open the refrigerant system or uncap a replacement component until you are ready to service the system. This will prevent contamination in the system.
- Before disconnecting a component, clean the outside of the fittings thoroughly to prevent contamination from entering the refrigerant system. Immediately after disconnecting a component from the refrigerant system, seal the open fittings with a cap or plug.
- Before connecting an open refrigerant fitting, always install a new seal or gasket. Coat the fitting and seal with clean refrigerant oil before connecting.
- Do not remove the sealing caps from a replacement component until it is to be installed. When installing a refrigerant line, avoid sharp bends that may restrict refrigerant flow. Position the refrigerant lines away from exhaust system components or any sharp edges, which may damage the line.
- Tighten refrigerant fittings only to the specified torque. The aluminum fittings used in the refrigerant system will not tolerate overtightening. When disconnecting a refrigerant fitting, use a wrench on both halves of the fitting. This will prevent twisting of the refrigerant lines or tubes. Refrigerant oil will absorb moisture from the atmosphere if left uncapped. Do not open a container of refrigerant oil until you are ready to use it. Replace the cap on the oil container immediately after using. Store refrigerant oil only in a clean, airtight, and moisture-free container.
- Keep service tools and the work area clean. Contamination of the refrigerant system through careless work habits must be avoided.