Handling of Refrigerant Lines and Fittings

NOTE: Using too low or too high a torque when tightening a fitting can result in loose joints or deformed joint parts. Both conditions can result in refrigerant leakage.

- Keep all metal tubing lines free of dents or kinks. Any line restrictions will cause the loss of system capacity.
- Never bend a flexible hose line to a radius of less than four times the diameter of the hose.
- Never allow a flexible hose line to come within 63.5 mm (2 - 1/2 inches) of the exhaust manifold.
- Inspect flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness.
- Replace flexible hose lines with new lines if there are signs of deterioration or leaking.
- Discharge the refrigeration system of all refrigerant before disconnecting any fitting in the refrigeration system.
- Proceed very cautiously regardless of the gauge readings.
- Open the fittings very slowly.
- Keep your face and your hands away from the fitting so that you will not be injured if there happens to be liquid refrigerant in the line.
- If pressure is noticed when loosening a fitting, allow the pressure to bleed off as described in "Discharging, Adding Oil, Evacuating and Charging Procedures for A/C System".
- Cap or tape any refrigerant line immediately after it is opened. This will prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt, which can cause internal compressor wear or plugged lines in the condenser, the evaporator core, the expansion valve or the compressor inlet screens.

IMPORTANT: Use three proper wrenches to connect the O-ring fittings.

- Back up the opposing fitting to prevent the distortion of the connecting lines or the components.
- Back up both the swaged fitting on the flexible hose connections and the coupling to which it is attached with two wrenches to prevent turning the fitting and damaging the ground seat.
- Keep the O-rings and the seats in perfect condition. A burr or a piece of dirt may cause a refrigerant leak.
- Dip new O-rings in clean polyalkalene glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil before installation.