Refrigerant recovery, vacuuming and refilling of air conditioning systems (Focus 1)

Special tool

	Service unit or equivalent equipment
	Refrigerant identification device or equivalent equipment

CAUTION: Refrigerant identification equipment must be used before the system is emptied, otherwise damage to the service unit may occur. Contaminated refrigerant must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using service units.

Loosen and remove the protective caps from the A/C system fill ports.

2. Pull back the quick release coupling latch on the service block line.

NOTE: Larger inner diameter is for high pressure line. Smaller inner diameter is for low pressure line.

Connect the service block line to the A/C fill port.

4.

WARNING: Avoid releasing refrigerant in any form into the atmosphere.

NOTE: When removing air conditioning system components, calculate the remaining amount of cooling oil. For more information, refer to the Cooling Oil Charging chapter in this section.

Drain the refrigerant from the air conditioning system through the low pressure port according to the service unit manufacturer's instructions.

5.

CAUTION: To ensure proper operation of the air conditioning system, it should be evacuated for approximately 30 minutes before charging.

CAUTION: If moisture has been present in an open system for an extended period of time (several hours), replace the accumulator/water separator and increase the vacuum time to 2-3 hours.

Evacuate the air conditioning system according to the service unit manufacturer's instructions.

6.

NOTE: If the air conditioning system is evacuated before the refrigerant is drained, some refrigerant will remain in the compressor cooling oil. This remaining refrigerant may evaporate, causing a slight increase (maximum of two notches) in the pressure gauge reading when performing a leak test. This increase in pressure does not mean that there are leaks in the air conditioning system.

NOTE: If the reading increases by more than 20 mbar (2 kPa), it means the system is leaking.

Perform a leak check.

1. To check for leaks, close the hand valves on the gauge block, turn off the service block vacuum pump and observe the low pressure gauge.
2. Using a leak detector, search for leaks in the A/C refrigerant circuit. For more information, refer to the Leak Detection Using an Electronic Leak Detector / Leak Detection Using Fluorescent Material chapter in this section.

7. Fill with cooling oil. For more information, refer to the Filling Cooling Oil chapter in this section.

CAUTION: Always evacuate the air conditioning system before charging it.

NOTE: Depending on the service unit and equipment (with or without heated filling cylinder), the air conditioning system can be charged with liquid refrigerant through the high pressure port or with gaseous refrigerant through the low pressure port.

NOTE: The filling volume is indicated on the label located in the engine compartment.

Filling the air conditioning system through the high pressure port (in liquid form)

1. Open the shut-off valve on the high pressure side.
2. Switch the service unit to the "Fill" mode and fill the system with the prescribed amount of liquid refrigerant (R134a).

2. Switch the service unit to the «Fill» mode and fill the system with the prescribed amount of…

CAUTION: Charging the air conditioning system through the low pressure port (in gas form only).

Charging the air conditioning system through the low pressure port

1. Open the shut-off valve on the low pressure side.
2. Switch the service unit to the "Fill" mode and fill the system with the prescribed amount of refrigerant gas (R134a).
3. Add the remaining refrigerant with the air conditioning on. To do this, let the engine run at approximately (1200-1500) rpm. Switch the air conditioning system to maximum cooling efficiency and fresh air supply mode. Set the blower fan to maximum. Allow the system to accept the prescribed amount of refrigerant.

10.