FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Contaminated Refrigerant Handling

1. Repeat the refrigerant identification.
2. Advise the customer of the contaminated A/C system and any additional costs to repair the system.

NOTE: The customer may want to return to the facility responsible for the last A/C system service.

3. Recover the contaminated refrigerant using suitable recovery only equipment designed for the recovery of contaminated refrigerant.

CAUTION: This equipment must only be used to recover contaminated refrigerant to prevent the spread of contaminated refrigerant to other vehicles. As an alternative, contact an A/C service facility in your area that is equipped to handle contaminated A/C systems.

4. Determine the cause of the failure.
5. Determine which parts will need to be replaced.
6. Flush the heat exchangers.

NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary A/C and heater system, the A/C evaporator core in the unit must also be flushed to prevent system recontamination.

7. Install a new suction accumulator/drier.
8. Add the necessary amount of refrigerant oil.
9. Evacuate the A/C system for 45 minutes. Evacuation
10. Recharge the A/C system.
11. Dispose of the contaminated refrigerant in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

NOTE: Contact your hazardous waste disposal company to determine if it is capable of disposing contaminated refrigerant.