98-26 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
greater than the opposing pressure in the power ele-
ment. Therefore, the valve remains closed. When the
compressor is started, it will reduce the pressure and
temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling coil to
a point where the vapor pressure in the power ele-
ment becomes the stronger. The seat then moves off
the orifice and liquid starts to flow through the valve
orifice into the cooling coil.
The purpose of the power element is to help deter-
mine the quantity of liquid that is being metered into
the cooling coil. As the temperature of the low pres-
sure line changes at the bulb, the pressure of
the
vapor in the power element changes, resulting in a
change of the position of the seat. For example, if the
cooling coil gets more liquid than is required, the
temperature of the low pressure line is reduced and
the resultant lowering of the bulb temperature
reduces the pressure of the vapor in the power ele-
ment, allowing the seat to move closer to the orifice.
This immediately reduces the amount of liquid leav-
ing the valve. Under normal operation, the power
element provides accurate control of the quantity of
refrigerant to the cooling coil.
To employ our tire pump analogy once more for
clarity, it is the same situation that would exist if you were inflating a tire with a very slow leak. Providing
you pumped the air into the tire as fast as it leaked
out, you would be able to maintain pressure even
though the air would merely be circulating through the tire and leaking out through the puncture.
To Sum Up
So far, we’ve discussed only what each unit in an air
conditioning system does. We’ve learned that the
evaporator is the unit in which liquid refrigerant
soaks up heat from the air, the compressor is a pump
for squeezing this heat out of the vapor, the con-
denser is a radiator for getting rid of the heat, and the
thermostatic expansion valve is a device for regulat-
ing the pressure on the refrigerant. Now, let’s
find
out how the temperature of the cooled air is con-
trolled.
METHOD OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL
To achieve temperature control, the compressor is
run intermittently, automatically turning on and off
as necessary to maintain proper temperature.
Thermostatic Switch
The compressor can be started and stopped au-
tomatically through the use of an electro-magnetic
clutch and a thermostat affected by variations of temperature.
The job is usually done by a gas bulb thermostat (Fig.
9B-21).
Figure 9B-21 Thermostatic Switch Schematic
With the gas bulb type of thermostat, a highly expan-
sive gas is sealed into a metallic bulb which is located
in the air stream as it leaves the evaporator. A small
tube leads from the bulb to a bellows operated switch. As air temperature rises, the gas inside the
bulb expands, travels through the tube to the bellows
and closes the electrical switch that engages the com-
pressor clutch.
Of course, as soon as the compressor starts running,
the temperature begins to go down. As the air being
cooled gets colder, the gas in the thermostat bulb
begins to reduce the pressure on the switch bellows.
This
Ilips “off’ the switch and disengages the com-
pressor clutch.
REFRIGERANTS
No matter how scientifically refrigerating machinery
is built or how
efftciently it runs, it alone cannot
remove heat. The only thing that carries heat out of
a refrigerator cabinet or an automobile is the sub-
stance we call the refrigerant.
There are many refrigerants known to man. In fact,
any liquid that can boil at temperatures somewhere
near the freezing point of water can be used.
But a boiling point below the temperature at which
ice forms is not the only thing that makes a good
refrigerant. A refrigerant should also be non-
poiso-
nowand non-explosive to be safe. Besides that, we
want a refrigerant that is non-corrosive and one that
will mix with oil.
Since Nature did not provide an ideal refrigerant,
chemists went to work to see if they could do any
better. They did! But it wasn’t as simple as that.
At first, they tried to improve existing natural refrig-
erants. But after exploring innumerable trails along
REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS99.27that line, they still hadn’t gotten anywhere. So, they
started from scratch and juggled molecules around
to make an entirely new refrigerant. Eventually they
succeeded by remodeling the molecules in carbon
tetrachloride. This is the same fluid that is used in
fire extinguishers and dry-cleaners’ solvents.
From this fluid, the chemists removed two chlorine
atoms and replaced them with two fluorine atoms.
This newly-formed fluid carried the technical chemi-
cal name of dichlorodifluoromethane. Today, we
know it as Refrigerant-12 or R-12.
Fluorine is an extremely temperamental substance.
Under most conditions it is toxic and highly corro-
sive, and after is is manufactured, it has to be stored
in special containers because it will eat through glass
and will dissolve most metals in short order.
Despite its rambunctious character though, fluorine
is completely tamed when it is combined with the
other substances that go to make up the refrigerant.
Each is non-toxic, non-inflammable, non-explosive,
and non- poisonous; however, breathing large quan-
tities of R-12 should be avoided.
Pressure. Temperature Relationship of R-12A definite pressure and temperature relationship ex-
ists in the case of liquid refrigerants and their satu-
rated vapors. Increasing the temperature of a
substance causes it to expand. When the substance is
confined in a closed container, the increase in tem-
perature will be accompanied by an increase in pres-
sure, even though no mechanical device was used.
For every temperature, there will be a corresponding
pressure within the container of refrigerant. A table
of the temperature-pressure relationship of R-12 is
presented below. Pressures are indicated in gauge
pressure, either positive pressure (above atmos-
pheric) m pounds or negative pressure (below atmos-
pheric) in inches of vacuum.
“F-40
-35
i#Pressure
11.0*
8.3*
“F
50
50#Pressure
46.1
52.0
-30~
5.5*6057.7
-252.3*6s67 7__.
-200.6
io70.1
-152.4
76.9
-104.584.1
1;6.8 9.2tz99.6 91.71;
11.8 14.712116.9 108.1
1517.7105126.2
2021.1110136.0
2524.6115146.5
3028.5120157.1
;:
30.1
125167.5
32.6
131)179n
4037.0
4541.7*Inches of Vacuum.-. _.-
1402045
150232.0Thus if a gauge is attached to a container of R- 12 and
the room temperature is 70 degrees, the gauge will
register 70 psi pressure; in a 100 degrees room the
pressure will be 117
ps~
AIR CONDITIONINGBecause air conditioning has always been very
closely allied with mechanical refrigeration, most of
us are apt to think of it only as a process for cooling
room air.
But true air conditioning goes beyond the mere cool-
ing of the air. It controls the humidity, cleanliness,
and circulation of the air as well.
Whenever it gets warm and muggy in the summer-
time, someone is almost sure to say, “It’s not the heat
it’s the humidity.” But that is only partly right.
Actually it is a combination of the two that makes us
feel so warm temperature alone is not the only
thing that makes us uncomfortable.
Humidity is nothing more nor less that the moisture
content of the air. To a certain extent, it is tied in
with the temperature of the air. Warm air will hold
more moisture than will cold air. When air contains
all the moisture it can hold, we say it is saturated,
and the relative humidity is 100 percent. If the air
contains only half as much water as it could possibly
hold at any given temperature, we say that the rela-
tive humidity is 50 percent. If it contains only a fifth
of its maximum capacity, we say that the relative
humidity is 20 percent and so on. This amount
of water vapor, or relative humidity, affects the way
we perspire on hot days.
Nature has equipped our bodies with a network of
sweat glands that carry perspiration to the skin
sur-faces. Normally, this perspiration evaporates and, in
doing so, absorbs heat just like a refrigerant absorbs
heat when it is vaporized in a freezer. Most of the
heat thus absorbed is drawn from our bodies, giving
us a sensation of coolness. A drop of alcohol on the
back of your hand will demonstrate this principle
very convincingly. Because it is highly volatile, al-
cohol will evaporate very rapidly and absorb quite a
bit of heat in doing so, thereby making the spot on
your hand feel unusually cool.
The ease and rapidity with which evaporation takes
place, whether it be alcohol or perspiration, governs
our sensation of coolness and to a certain extent,
independently of the temperature. Of even more im-
portance, the ease and rapidity of the evaporation are
directly affected by the relative humidity or com-
parative dampness of the air. When the air is dry,
perspiration will evaporate quite readily. But when
the air contains a lot of moisture, perspiration will
evaporate more slowly; consequently less heat is car-
ried away from our body.
9B-28 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
Thus, from the standpoint of comfort, complete air
conditioning should control the relative humidity of
the air as well as its temperature.
By reducing the humidity, we sometimes can be just
as “cool” in a higher room temperature than other-
wise would be comfortable. Laboratory tests have
shown that the average person will feel just as cool
in a temperature of 79 degrees when the relative
humidity is down around 30 percent as he will in a
cooler temperature of 72 degrees with a high relative
humidity of 90 percent.
There are practical limits though within which wemust stay when it comes to juggling humidity. For
human comfort, we can’t go much below a relative
humidity of 30 percent because anything lower than
that would cause an unpleasant and unhealthy dry-
ness in the throat and nasal passages.
Summertime temperatures of 85 degrees sometimes
bring with them relative humidities around 75 to 80
percent. Some coastal cities have relative humidities
averaging as high as 87 percent. To gain maximum
human comfort, an air conditioning system should
cool the air down and reduce the humidity to com-
fortable limits.
The cooling job usually is done just as it is in a
refrigerator. A compressor sends refrigerant through
a chilling unit where it absorbs heat. The heat is
drawn out of the air which circulates through the
chilling unit. Along with the cooling job it does, the
evaporator unit also removes much of the moisture
from the air. Everyone is familiar with the sight of
thick frost on the freezer of a refrigerator. That frost
is simply frozen moisture that has come out of the
air.
Figure 99.22 Condensation
The evaporator unit in an air-conditioning system
does the same thing with this one exception. Becauseits temperature is above the freezing point, the mois-
ture does not collect in the form of ice or frost.
Instead, the moisture remains fluid and drips off the
chilling unit. This action is similar to what occurs on
the cool bathroom mirror when a hot shower is
turned on (Fig. 9B-22). A further advantage of airconditioning is that dust and pollen particles are
trapped by the wet surfaces of
.the evaporator core
and then drained off with the condensed moisture.
This provides very clean, pure air for breathing, and
is of great benefit to those who suffer from asthma
or ahergies such as hay fever.
Basic Refrigeration CycleLet’s review the basic refrigeration cycle. Keep this
basic cycle in mind because knowledge of the cycle,
knowledge of the particular system you are working
on and proper use of the gauges will permit quick,
accurate diagnosis of problems as they arise.
Any refrigeration system takes advantage of the
principles just described. The air conditioning sys-
tem illustrated in Fig. 9B-23 contains
five basic parts;
a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion
valve and an evaporator. Assuming R-12 as our re-
frigerant, let us follow through the refrigeration cy-
cle.Refrigerant gas under low pressure is drawn into the
compressor where it is compressed to a high pres-
sure. During compression, the refrigerant gas is
heated. When sufficient pressure is built up, the hot
gas passes into the condenser where it cools by giving
off heat to the air passing over the condenser sur-
faces.As the refrigerant gas cools, it condenses into a liquid
at high pressure and accumulates in the receiver. The
high pressure liquid refrigerant passes to the expan-
sion valve at the entrance to the evaporator. At the
valve orifice the pressure is lowered and the refriger-
ant enters the evaporator core as a low pressure liq-
uid. When the refrigerant is exposed to the lower
evaporator pressure, it begins to boil and is changed
to a vapor state. As the refrigerant passes through
the evaporator, it continues to boil by absorbing heat
from the air passing over the evaporator surfaces
until it is completely vaporized. From the evaporator
the cool low pressure refrigerant gas is drawn back
to the compressor and the cycle repeated.
Thus the air passing over the evaporator surfaces is
cooled simply by giving up heat to the refrigerant
during the boiling process.
CHEMICAL INSTABILITY AND REFRIGERATING
SYSTEM FAILURESA sealed refrigerating system is a complex physical-
chemical combination which is designed for stability
98-32 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
inserting it in the connection. Another precaution -inspect the fitting for burrs which can cut the
“0”ring.
Restrictions
Restrictions may be due to powdered desiccant or
dirt and foreign matter. This may result in starved
evaporator and loss of cooling, or a seized compres-
SOT.When the amount of moisture in a system sufti-
ciently exceeds the capacity of the desiccant, it can
break down the desiccant and cause it to powder.
The powder passes through the dehydrator screen
with the refrigerant liquid and is carried to the ex-
pansion valve screen. While some of it may pass
through the valve screen into the evaporator, it may
quickly build up to cause a restriction.
Due to the fact that sufftcient oil can not be returned
to the compressor, it may seize.
Dirt
Dirt, which is any foreign material, may come from
cleaner residues, cutting, machining, or preserving
oils, metal dust or chips, lint or dust, loose rust,
soldering or brazing fluxes, paint or loose oxide
scale. These can also cause seized bearings by abra-
sion or wedging, discharge and expansion valve fail-
ure, decomposition of refrigerant and oil, or
corrosion of metal parts.
CorrosionCorrosion and its by-products can restrict valve and
drier screens, rough bearing surfaces or rapid fatigu-
ing of discharge reeds. This can result in high tem-
perature and pressure, decomposition or leaks. In
any event, this means a wrecked compressor.
From this, we can see the vicious circle that can be
produced in a refrigerating system to cause its fail-
ure. Corrosion can be the indirect cause of leaks, and
leaks can be the direct cause of corrosion. We can
also see the important role we as servicemen play in
maintaining chemical stability.
The major cause of corrosion is moisture.
Moisture
Moisture is the greatest enemy of refrigerating sys-
tems. Combined with metal, it produces oxide, Iron
Hydroxide and Aluminum Hydroxide. Combined
with R-12 it produces Carbonic acid, Hydrochloric
acid, and Hydrofluoric acid. Moisture can also cause
freeze-up of expansion valve and powdered desic-
cant.Although high temperature and dirt are responsible
for many difficulties in refrigerating systems, in most
instances it is the presence of moisture in the system
that accelerates these conditions. It can be said,themfore, that moisture is the greatest enemy of all.
The acids that it produces, in combination with both
the metals and the refrigerant, cause damaging
COT-
rosion. While the corrosion may not form as rapidly
with R-12 as with some other refrigerants, the even-
tual formation is as damaging.
If the operating pressure and temperature in the
evaporator is reduced to the freezing point, moisture
in the refrigerant can collect at the orifice of the
expansion valve and freeze. This temporarily re-
stricts the flow of liquid causing erratic cooling.
As previously mentioned, moisture in excess of the
desiccant’s capacity can cause it to powder.
YOU SHOULD KNOW AND REMEMBER..That the inside of the refrigerat,ion system is com-
pletely sealed from the outside world. And if that
seal remains broken at any point
- the system will
soon be destroyed. That complete and positive seal-
ing of the entire system is vitally important and that
this sealed condition is absolutely necessary to retain
the chemicals and keep them in a pure and proper
condition.
That all parts of the refrigeration system are under
pressure at all times, whether operating or idle, and
that any leakage. points are continuously losing re-
frigerant and oil.
That the leakage of refrigerant can be so silent that
the complete charge may be lost without warning.
That refrigerant gas is heavier than air and will rap-
idly drop to the floor as it flows from a point of
leakage.
That the pressure in the system may momentarily
become as high as 400 lbs. per square inch, and that
under such pressure the molecules of refrigerant are
forced out through the smallest opening or pore.
That the compressor is continually giving up some
lubricating oil to the circulating refrigerant and de-
pends upon oil in the returning refrigerant for con-
tinuous replenishment. Any stoppage or major loss
of refrigerant will therefore be fatal to the compres-
SOT.That the extreme internal dryness of a properly proc-
essed system is a truly desert condition, with the
drying material in the receiver holding tightly on to
the tiny droplets of residual moisture.
REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS
99.37
in front of the radiator so that it receives a high
volume of air flow. Air passing over the condenser
absorbs the heat from the high pressure gas and
causes the refrigerant to condense into a high pres-
sure liquid.Receiver. DehydratorThe receiver-dehydrator is located in the engine
compartment. The purpose of the receiver dehydra-
tor is two fold: the unit insures a solid column of
liquid refrigerant to the expansion valve at all times,
and also absorbs any moisture in the system that
might be present. A bag of desiccant (moisture ab-
sorbing material) is provided to absorb moisture. A
sight glass (see Figure 9B-33) permits visual check-
ing of the refrigerant flow for bubbles or foam. The
continuous appearance of bubbles or foam above an
ambient temperature of 70 degrees F. usually indi-
cates an inadequate refrigerant charge. Bubbles or
foam appearing at ambient temperatures below 70
degrees F. do not necessarily indicate an inadequate
charge and may appear even when the system is
operating properly. A filter screen in the unit pre-
vents foreign material from entering the remainder
of the system.
Expansion ValveThe expansion valve is mounted on the evaporator
core inside the passenger compartment. The function
of the expansion valve is to automatically regulate
SCREEN
lLCl98.30
Figure 98-34 Expansion Valvethe flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. The ex-
pansion valve is the dividing point in the system
between the high and low pressure liquid refrigerant.
A temperature sensing bulb is connected by a capil-
lary tube to the expansion valve (see Figure
9B-34).The temperature sensing bulb (clamped to the outlet
pipe on the evaporator) measures the temperature of
the evaporator outlet pipe and transmits the temper-
ature variations to the expansion valve (see Figure
9B-34). The capillary tube and bulb are tilled with
carbon dioxide and sealed to one side of the expan-
sion valve diaphragm.
An increase in temperature will cause the carbon
dioxide in the bulb and capillary tube to expand,
overcoming the spring pressure and pushing the dia-
phragm against the operating pins (see Figure 9B-
34). This in turn will force the valve off its seat.
When the refrigerant low pressure gas flowing
through the outlet pipe of the evaporator becomes
more than 6 degrees higher or warmer than the tem-
perature at which it originally began to vaporize or
boil, the expansion valve will autmotatically allow
more refrigerant to enter evaporator. If the tempera-
ture of the low pressure gas decreases to less than 6
degrees above the temperature at which it originally
began to vaporize or boil, the expansion valve will
automatically reduce the flow of refrigerant. Thus,
an increase or decrease in the flow of refrigerant
through the evaporator will result in an increase or
decrease in the cooling by the evaporator. The tem-
perature, humidity and volume of the air passing
over the evaporator affects the rate of absorption of
heat by the evaporator. As the ambient temperature
bulb calls for more or less refrigerant will increase or
decrease. When the air is very warm, the heat trans-
fer from the air to the refrigerant is great and a
greater quantity of refrigerant is required to maintain
the temperature at the evaporator pipe at the prede-
termined value. Conversely, cool days will result in
less heat transfer and thereby require lesser quanti-
ties of refrigerant to maintain the predetermined
temperature of the evaporator outlet pipe.
EvaporatorThe function of the evaporator is to cool and
dehumidify the air flow in the passenger compart-
ment. The evaporator assembly consists of an alumi-
num core enclosed in a reinforced plastic housing.
Two (2) water drain ports are located in the bottom
of the housing. Two refrigerant lines are connected
to the side of the evaporator core: one at the bottom
and one at the top. The expansion valve is attached
to the lower (inlet) pipe, the outlet pipe is attached
to the upper pipe. The temperature sensing bulb of
the expansion valve is clamped to the outlet pipe of
the evaporator core. The high pressure liquid refrig-
erant, after it is metered through the expansion
valve, passes into the evaporator core where it is
allowed to expand under reduced pressure. As a re-
sult of the reduced pressure the refrigerant begins to
9B-38 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
expand and return to the original gaseous state. To
accomplish this transformation it begins to boil.
The boiling action of the refrigerant demands heat.
To satisfy the demand for heat, the air passing over
the core gives up heat to the evaporator and is subse-
quently cooled.\
DIAGNOSIS
GENERAL INFORMATIONThe following is a brief description of the type of
sympton each refrigerant component will evidence if
a malfunction occurs:
Compressor malfunction will appear in one of four
ways: noise, seizure, leakage, or low discharge pres-
sure.Resonant compressor noises are not cause for alarm;
however, irregular noise or rattles may indicate
broken parts or excessive clearances due to wear. To
check seizure, de-energize the magnetic clutch and
check to see if drive plate can be rotated. If rotation
is impossible, compressor is seized. Low discharge
pressure may be due to a faulty internal seal of the
compressor, or a restriction in the compressor.
Low discharge pressure may also be due to an insuffi-
cient refrigerant charge or a restriction elsewhere in
the system. These possibilities should be checked
prior to servicing the compressor. If the compressor
is inoperative; but, is not seized, check to see if cur-
rent is being supplied to the magnetic clutch coil
terminals.
CondenserA condenser may malfunction in two ways: it may
leak, or it may be restricted. A condenser restriction
will result in excessive compressor discharge pres-
sure. If a partial restriction is present, sometimes ice
or frost will form immediately after the restriction as
the refrigerant expands after pas?ing through the re-
striction. If air flow through the condenser or radia-
tor is blocked, high discharge pressures will result.
During normal condenser operation, the outlet pipe
will be slightly cooler than the inlet pipe.
Receiver-DehydratorA receiver-dehydrator may fail due to a restriction
inside body of unit. A restriction at the inlet to the
receiver-dehydrator will cause high head pressures.
Outlet tube restrictions will be indicated by low headpressures. Outlet tube restrictions will be indicated
by
low head pressures and little or no cooling. An
excessively cold receiver-dehydrator outlet may be
indicative of a restriction.
Expansion ValveExpansion valve failures usually will be indicated by
low suction and discharge pressures, and insuff%ient
evaporator cooling. The failure is generally due to
malfunction of the power element and subsequent
closing of the valve. A less common cause of the
above symptom is a clogged inlet screen.
EvaporatorWhen the evaporator malfunctions, the trouble will
show up as inadequate supply of cool air. A partially
plugged core due to dirt or a faulty blower will gener-
ally be the cause.
Refrigerant Line Restrictions
Rest~rictions in the refrigerant lines will be indicated
as follows:
I. Suction Line - A restricted suction line will cause
low suction pressure at the compressor, low dis-
charge pressure and little or no cooling.
2. Discharge Line -A restriction in the discharge line
generally will cause the pressure relief valve to open.
3. Liquid Line
- A liquid line restriction will be evi-
denced by low discharge and suction pressure, and
insufficient cooling.
Use of Receiver-Dehydrator Sight Glass for
DiagnosisAt temperatures higher than 70 degrees F, the sight
glass may indicate whether the refrigerant charge is
sufficient. A shortage of liquid refrigerant is in-
dicated after about
five minutes of compressor oper-
ation by the appearance of slow-moving bubbles
(vapor) or a broken column of refrigerant under the
glass. Continuous bubbles may appear in a properly
charged system on a cool day. This is a normal situa-
tion. If the sight, glass is generally clear and perform-
ance is satisfactory, occasional bubbles do not
indicate refrigerant shortage.
If the sight glass consistently shows foaming or a
broken liquid column, it should be observed after
partially blocking the air to the condenser. If under
this condition the sight glass clears and the perform-
ance is otherwise satisfactory, the charge shall be
considered adequate.
98.40 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
2. Interconnect manifold and gage set (J-5725-01),
gage charging lines (J-5418) and gage adapters
(J-5420) to air conditioning system as shown in Figure
9B-40.3. Place transmission in “Park” for automatics and
in neutral for manuals. Apply hand brake.
4. Turn blower switch to the “Hi” position.
5. Turn temperature switch to “Max” position.
6. Run engine at 2000 RPM for ten (10) minutes with
car doors and windows closed and the hood up. Place
a high volume industrial type fan in front of radiator
if head pressure should exceed 250 psi and also at
high ambients to bring the pressures to within the
limits specified in the Functional Charts in Division
V.In the case of the Opel 1900 and the Manta, a ther-
mometer should be placed in a position to read the
temperature of the air discharging from the right-
hand A/C outlet. In case of the GT, a thermometer
should be placed in a position to read the tempera-
ture of the air discharging from the left-rear A/C
outlet.
HEATER-AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT
CIRCUIT TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS GUIDE
Insufficient Cooling (Check Air Flow)
Normal Air Flow (Inspect system for visual defects.
Run functional tests.)
Discharge Air
- Normal Temp Check for air leaks
through dash, car body, windows, or from heater or
ventilators.
Discharge Air
- High Temp Check sight glass for
foaming and compressor clutch for engagement.
No Compressor Clutch Engagement Check connec-
tions at clutch switch, harness connectors, and check
clutch switch.
No Foaming Compare evaporator pressure to that
on functional test table.
Foaming System is probably low on refrigerant.
Check for leaks, repair, evacuate, and charge. If
foaming still occurs, check for restriction in refriger-
ant lines between condenser and receiver dehydrator.
Evaporator Pressure Normal Compare head pres-
sure to pressure on functional test table.
Evaporator Pressure Low Ice may be forming on
evaporator. Low volume of air discharging at A/C
outlet after system has been running above idle con-dition
,for approximately 15-30 min.utes. Discharging
air gradually elevating in temperature. Check expan-
sion valve. If valve isn’t permitting flow of liquid,
this will be indicated by a warm pipe out of the
evaporator. This may be caused by: 1) Clogged or
Plugged inlet screen in the expansion valve; 2)
Broken capillary line; or 3) Discharged temperature
bulb. If the valve is okay, the pipe out of the evapora-
tor will be cold.
Evaporator Pressure High Check the expansion
valve to determine if themobulb is making good con-
tact and is properly insulated. Operate engine at 2000
RPM with maximum air conditioning setting. If
evaporator pressure remains high, feel suction line.
If line feels frosty or extremely
(cold with relative
high ambient conditions, then partially cover the
condenser to obtain head pressures from 265 psi to
280 psi maximum. If evaporator pressure rises above
30 psi, change the expansion valve.
Also, check if compressor may be the cause due to
some internal or external mechanical trouble which
prevents reduction of pressure. Check for external
troubles, slipping belt, bad clutch and/or pulley, or
improper clutch engagement, before investigating
the compressor internally.
Head Pressure High Check for the following: Con-
denser air flow low, air in system, excessive refriger-
ant in system, restriction in condenser.Head.PressureLowRestriction in flow of refrigerant
to evaporator, or expansion valve plugged or defec-
tive.
Low Air Flow (Check blower operation and
evaporator. Check operation of controls.)
Ice BIocking Evaporator Run functional test. If
evaporator pressure is low, ice may form on evapora-
tor and reduce air flow.
Evaporator Pressure Low Ice may be forming on
evaporator. Low volume of air discharging at A/C
outlet after system has been running above idle con-
dition for approximately 15-30 minutes. Discharging
air gradually elevating in temperature. Check expan-
sion valve. If valve isn’t permitting flow of liquid,
this will be indicated by a warm pipe out of the
evaporator. This may be caused by: 1) Clogged or
plugged inlet screen in the expansion valve; 2)
Broken capillary line, or 3) Discharged temperature
bulb. If the valve is okay, the pipe out of the evapora-
tor will be cold.BlowerNot OperatingCheck for the following: Fuse
blown, blower switch defective, wire broken or loose
connection, poor ground connection, or blower mo-
tor defective.
REFRIGERANT COMPONENTS ALL MODELS9a- 47
B. Connect center flexible line of gauge set to the
fitting on the valve.
C. Start engine, turn temperature control knob to full
cold position, set blower switch to Max Hi. Operate
engine for 10 minutes at 2000 RPM to stabilize sys-tem.D. With compressor operating, slowly open valve on
refrigerant can and allow refrigerant to flow into
system (through manifold gauge set) until liquid in-
dicator clears up and immediately shut off valve at
gauge set and on refrigerant can. Check weight of
can and valve assembly and record.
E. Add an additional 1 lb. of refrigerant by adding
refrigerant from the can just weighed until can is
empty. Attach another can and add refrigerant until
can and valve assembly weigh the same as recorded.
6. Close valves at refrigerant drum or
can,7. Test for leaks and make operational check of
system.
ADDING OIL TO THE SYSTEM (MAJOR
OVERHAUL)The oil in the refrigeration system does not remain
in the compressor during system operation, but cir-culates throughout the system. The compressor is
initially charged with 10 oz. of 525 viscosity oil.
After system has been in operation the oil content in
the compressor will vary depending on the engine
RPM and air conditioning load. At higher engine
RPM’s a lesser amount of oil will be retained in the
compressor reservoir. It is important that the total
system oil content does not vary from a total of10-l/2 oz. Excessive oil content will reduce cooling
capacity. Inadequate oil content may result in dam-
age to compressor moving parts.
The refrigeration system will not require adding of
oil unless there is an oil loss because of a ruptured
line, badly leaking compressor seal, replacement of
evaporator, compressor, receiver-dehydrator, or loss
due to a collision. Oil is generally added to the sys-
tem via the oil drain hole in the lower side of the
compressor for this condition. To add oil to the sys-
tem via the compressor, the compressor must be
removed. If no major loss of oil has occurred and a
component (condenser,receiver-dehydrator or
evaporator) is removed for servicing, the oil may be
added directly to the component. To add oil to a
component removed for servicing and when no ma-
jor loss has occurred, drain and measure oil in com-
ponent, then replace with a like amount. To add oil
to the system when a major loss of oil is evidenced,
or when the compressor is being serviced, remove
compressor, drain and measure oil, and replace oil
amount specified in the Oil Replacement Table.
OIL REP,‘LACEMENT TABLE
Condition
1. Major loss of oil and
a component (conden-
ser, receiver-dehydra-
tor, or evaporator)
has to be replaced.
Amount of Oil Drained
From Compressora. More than 4 oz.Amount of 525 Oil to Install
In Compressora. Amount drained from compressor,
plus amount for component
being replaced.
Evaporator
- Add 2 oz.
Condenser
- Add I oz.
Receiver-Dehydrator
- Add 1 oz.
b. Less than 4 oz.b. Install 6 oz., plus amount for
component being replaced as
shown above.
2. Compressor being
replaced with a
ser-vice replacement
compressor
- no major
oil loss.a. More than 1
l/2 oz.a. Same amount as drained from
compressor being replaced.
b. Less than 1
l/2 oz.b. Install 6 oz