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

Testing For Leaks or Line Restrictions

WARNING: When handling refrigerant (R-12):
- Always wear eye protection.
- Do not let refrigerant get on your skin or in your eyes. If it does:
- Do not rub your eyes or skin.
- Splash large quantities of cool water in your eyes or on your skin.
- Rush to a physician or hospital for immediate treatment. Do not attempt to treat it yourself.
- Keep refrigerant containers of (R-12) stored below 100°F (40°C).
- Keep away from open flame. Refrigerant, although non4lammable, will produce poisonous gas if burned.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. Refrigerant evaporates quickly and can force all the air Out of a small, enclosed area.


IMP0RTANT: Do not vent refrigerant to the atmosphere. The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in conventional refrigerant (R-12) damage the earth's ozone layer. Always use UL-listed, Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling System equipment to extract the refrigerant before you open an A/C system to make repairs. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Air Conditioning Service Station:




1. Attach an Air Conditioning Service Station as shown.

NOTE: Connect the adapter to the high pressure hose first, then connect the hoses to the car as shown. When testing is completed, disconnect the hose adapter from the high-side fitting; do not disconnect the hose from the adapter, or refrigerant may escape from the system.

2. Open the high pressure valve to charge the system to about 14 psi (98 kPa), then close the supply valve.
3. Check the system for leaks using an electronic leak tester. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
4. If you find leaks that require the system to be opened (to repair or replace hoses, fittings, etc.), release any charge in the system according to the Discharge Procedure, refer to Heating and Air Conditioning/Service and Repair.
5. After checking and repairing leaks, the system must be evacuated, refer to Heating and Air Conditioning/Service and Repair.