1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 compressor

^=2?
Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set
System Checking with the Manifold
Gauge Set
Connecting the Manifold Gauge Set
Caution: Only use hoses with connectors which are
dedicated to HFC 134A charge ports.
Attachmentofthehosequick release connectors to
the high and low side
system
ports
is
straightforward,
provided that the high and low valves are closed
and the system is NOT operational.
Assessment ofthe system's operating system can be
carried out by using the facilities ofthe Recovery-
Recharging-Recycling station. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions carefully and closely
observe the safety procedures.
Warning: Under no circumstances should the connections
be made with the
system
in operation or the
valves

open. Should the valves be open and a vacuum
pump or refrigerant container attached, an
explosion could occur
as
a result of high pressure
refrigerant being forced back into the vacuum
pump or container.
Stabilising the System
Accurate test gauge data can be attained only if the
system temperatures and pressures are stabilised.
Ensure that equipment and its hoses cannot come
into contact with moving parts or heat sources.
It is recommended that a free standing air mover is
placed in front of the vehicle to provide mass air
flow through the condenser-cooling system.
Checking Procedure
Connecting the Gauge Set.
A test hose connected to the fitting directly under
the low side gauge is used to connect the low side
ofthe test manifold into the low side ofthe system,
and a similar connection is found on the high side.
When connecting the gauge manifold set to the air
cond ition i ng system an access va Ive core removi ng
tool is available for connecting the test hoses to the
high and low sides ofthe system.
Using the valve removing tool it enables the valve
core to be removed and held back inside the tool
eliminating restrictions and, thereby, providing a
full flow of refrigerant.
Warning: Do not open the high side hand valve while the
air conditioning system is in operation because,
high pressure refrigerant will be forced through
the high side gauge and to the refrigerant container,
if it is attached.
This
could cause the container to
rupture or the fitting at the safety container valve
to burst resulting in damage and personal injury.

1.
With theengineswitched off, remove the protective
caps from the schraeder valves.

2.
Fit the access valve removal tool to the schraeder
valves. Ensure that both the manifold hand valves
are in the closed position.
3. Connect the high pressure manifold gauge hose (to
the high pressure side of the air conditioning side of
the system (high side is always the line from the
compressor to the condenser). Connect the low
pressure or compound gauge hose to the low
pressure side ofthe air conditioning system.

4.
Using the access valve removal tool loosen and
screw out the valve cores.

1.
Start the engine and allow it to attain normal
working temperature then set it at fast idle (typically
1200 to ISOOrpm).

2.
Select full air conditioning performance.
3. With all temperatures and pressures stable or
displaying symptoms of faults, begin relevant test
procedures.
May 1996 8-39

=2?
Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set
Pressure Temperature Relationship.
Note:
Pressures
shown are under exact conditions
(see
test
conditions) and
are
not
necessary
true for every
car

checked.
Ambient Temperature is given as the air
surrounding the
condenser
and
is
taken 5 cm in front of
the
condenser.

Test Conditions.
Use a large fan to substitute for normal ram air through the
condenser. Engine adjusted to fast idle speed.
All conditions equivalent to 30 m.p.h. or 48 km/h.
Ambient
Evaporator
Temp °C
16
18
21
24
27
29
32
35
38
41
43
46
49
High
Pressure
Gauge
Reading
Ibf/in2
95-115
105-125
115-125
130-150

1
50-170
165-185
175-195
185-205
210-230
230-250
250-270
265-285
280-310
Low
Pressure
Gauge
Reading
Ibf/in2
10
12
4
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
Ten
-16
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-5
-4
-3
-1
0
2
5
9
11
14
17
19
21
Normal operating ambient temperature range is:
-24 to 43°C.
Normal operating evaporator temperature range
is:-12toO°C.
Under normal running conditions system pressure
should be, as follows:
Lowside:1.05to2.10kgf/cm21.034to2.06bar15
to 30 ibf/in2
High side: 13.00 to 14.40 kgf/cm2 12.75 to 14.34
bar185to205lbf/in2
Manifold Gauge Set Check Procedures
Refrigerant Slightly Low.
Complaint.
Little or no cooling.

1.

2.

3.

4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
6.
7.
BLUE LOW SIDE
KED
HIGH SIDE
Condition.
The low side gauge reading is too low.
The high side gauge reading is too low.
A stream of bubbles evident in the sight glass.
The discharge air from the evaporator only
slightly
cool.

Diagnosis.
The system low on refrigerant due to slight leak.
Correction.
Test the system for leaks.
Depressurise the system.
Repair the leaks, and if necessary renew hoses or

units.

Check the compressor oil level. The system may
have lost oil due to leakage.
Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.
Recharge the system with new refrigerant.
Operate the system and check the performance.
May 1996 8-41

Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set [n::S3^^?
Refrigerant Excessively Low.
Complaint.
Cooling is not adequate.
Air In The System.
Complaint.
Cooling is not adequate.
BLU£ LOW SIDE SlUE LOW SIDE MD HIGH SIDE
5.
6.
7.

Condition.

1.
The low side gauge is reading very low.

2.
The high side gauge reading very low.
3. No bubbles or liquid evident in the sight glass.

4.
The discharge air from the evaporator is warm.
Diagnosis.
System refrigerant excessively low. Serious leak

indicated.

Correction.

1.
Test the system for leaks.
Note: Partially recharge the
system
before testing the

system
for
leaks
to
ensure that leak detection is
obtained.
Depressurise the system.
Repair the leaks, and if necessary renew hoses or

units.

Check the compressor oil level. The system may
have lost oil due to leakage.
Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.
Recharge the system with new refrigerant.
performance.

2.

3.

5.
6.
7.
8-42
Condition.
The low side gauge reading
is
constant and does not

drop.
The pressure should drop until the compressor
cycles (thermostat control)
The high side gauge reading is slightly high (or
slightly lower especially if a large fan is used to
substitute ram air).
The sight glass is free of bubbles or only shows an
occasional bubble.
Thedischarge air from theevaporator
is
only slightly

cool.

Diagnosis.
Non condensables present in the system. Air or
moisturepresent instead of afullrefrigerantcharge.
Correction.
Test the system for leaks. Test the compressor seal
area very carefully.
Depressurise the system. Repair the leaks, and if
necessary renew hoses or units.
Renew the drier bottle, probably water saturated .
Check the compressor oil level.
Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.
Recharge the system with new refrigerant.
Operate the system and check the performance.
May 1996

^2?
Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set
Compressor Malfunction
Complaint.
Cooling is not adequate.
Condenser Malfunction or System Overcharge
Complaint.
Little or no cooling. Overheating of the engine may
also be noted.
BLUE LOW SIDE

BLUE
LOW SIDE BED HICH SIDE
Condition

1.
The low side gauge reading is too
high.

2.
The high gauge reading is too low.
3. The sight glass is free of bubbles and the system is
fully charged.

4.
The discharge air from the evaporator is not
sufficiently
cool.

Diagnosis.
Internal leak in the compressor.
Correction.

1.
Depressurise the system.

2.
Renew the compressor and the drier bottle.
3. Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.

4.
Charge the system with new refrigerant.
5. Operate the system and check the performance.
HIGH
Condition.

1.
The low side gauge reading excessively
high.

2.
The high side gauge reading is also excessively

high.

3. Bubbles may appear occasionally in the sight glass
and the liquid line to the evaporator is very hot.

4.
The discharge air from the evaporator is warm.
Diagnosis.
The condenser not operating correctly through lack
of cooling caused by too high a high side pressure.
The system may have either
a
normal or overcharge
of refrigerant.
Correction.

1.
Checkthecompressordrivebeltforcorrecttension.

2.
Check the condenser for clogged air passages
preventing air flow through the condenser.
3. Inspect the condenser mounting for correct radiator
clearance.

4.
Check for correct fan operation.
5. Check the coolant pressure capfor correct type and

operation.

May 1996 8-43

Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set ^^?
Expansion Valve Malfunction
The valve stuck closed.
Restriction in the High Pressure Side.
BLUE LOW SIDE SED HIGH SIDE
Complaint.
Cooling is not adequate.
Condition.

1.
The low gauge reading is too low (0 or a vacuunn).

2.
The high side gauge reading is too low.
3. The discharge air from the evaporator only slightly

cool.

4.
The expansion valve shows signs of heavy sweating
or frost.
Diagnosis.
The expansion valve restrictingthe refrigerant flow.
Correction.

1.
Depressurise the system.

2.
Renew the expansion valve.
3. Renew the drier bottle.

4.
Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.
5. Recharge the system with new refrigerant.
6. Operate the system and check the
performance.

1.

2.

3.

4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
BLUE LOW SIDE
Complaint.
Cooling is not adequate.
Condition.
The low side gauge reading is low.
The high side gauge reading builds up to an
excessively high reading.
The discharge air only slightly
cool.

The high pressure liquid hose from the drier bottle
to the evaporator is cool to the touch or shows signs
oi heavy sweating or frost.
Diagnosis.
A restriction in the receiver-drier orthe high pressure
liquid hose from the drier bottle. Which results in
the compressor removing refrigerant from the
evaporator faster than it can enter. This results in a
starved evaporator.
Correction.
Depressurise the system.
Renew the drier bottle and/or the high
pressure liquid hoses or other defective parts.
Evacuate the system using a vacuum pump.
Recharge the system with new refrigerant.
Operate the system and check the performance.
8-46 May 1996

^?
Air Conditioning
Torque Settings / Depressurising the System
Torque Levels for the Hose Connections
COMPONENT TORQUE Nm
Evaporator Hose
Hose to Expansion Valve 32.0 ± 4.0
Hose to Compressor 34.0 ± 2.0
Condenser Hose
Hose to Compressor 34.0 ± 2.0
Hose to Compressor 25.0 ± 4.0
Condenser Pipe
Pipe to Drier Bottle 6.0 ± 1.5
Evaporator Pipe
Pipe to Expansion Valve 16.0 ± 1.5
Air Conditioning Procedures
Depressurising
Note:
Observe
all
safety
precautions and do not smoke
while carrying out the following
procedures.

1.
With the engine switched off, remove the protective
caps from the schraeder valves.

2.
Ensure the manifold gauge set hand valves are in
the closed position, then by using the access valve
core remover connect the manifold gauge set to the
system with the red hose to the high pressure side
and the blue hose to the low pressure side.
3. Screw out the valve core to allow the refrigerant to
flow.

4.
Place the centre hose of the manifold set into a
suitable container.
5. Slowly open the high or low side manifold hand
valve and adjust the valve for a smooth refrigerant
flow. Watch the refrigerant for any signsof escaping
oil and adjust the hand valve to prevent any oil

escaping.

6. If oil islostduringthedischarge,thecompressoroil
level must be checked and if necessary topped up.
7. As the discharge rate slows down, open the other
manifold hand valve so that refrigerant flows from
both high and low pressure sides of the system.
8. Constantly adjust the hand valves to ensure that oil
does not flow. When a zero reading is shown on
both high and low pressure gauges the system is
discharged.
8. Close both manifold hand valves.
Recovering Refrigerant
Caution: The
Recovery-Recycle-Recharging
equipment

has
special fittings to avoid
cross
contamination with
R-

12
systems.
Do not attempt to adapt
this
unit for
R-12
as
system
failure will
result.

Warning: Follow the safety procedures
as
defined at the
beginning of the section.
Caution: The unit's overfill limitation mechanism has

been
calibrated specifically for
use
with
the 50
lb.
(23 Kg)

refillable refrigerant
tank.

As the refrigerant is recovered it is passed through
an oil separator and
a
filter drier before it is allowed
to enter the refrigerant tank. When it is dry the
moisture indicator turns green.
May 1996 8-47

Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling ^=2?
Recovery Procedure
Hote:
Run the
air-conditioning
system
for
a
few
minutes
before starting the
recovery
procedure as
this will
enable

more refrigerant to be recovered. Turn the
system
off
before
starting
the procedure.

1.
Attach the red (high side) hose oftheunittothe high
side fitting of the system on the vehicle then fit the
blue (low side) fitting to the low side on the vehicle.
Note: Make sure that the Air conditioning
system
has
pressure in it before beginning the recovery
process;
if
there is no
system
pressure there is no refrigerant to

recover.
Also
make sure that the
oil
drain
valve
is
closed.

2. Open both the high and low side valves on the
control panel.
3. Open the red CAS (vapour) valve and the blue
LIQUID valve on the tank.

4.
Turn on the MAIN POWER switch.
5. Press the RECOVERY key on the key-pad. The
display shows that the unit in the RECOVER mode
and AUTOMATIC cycle. After the compressor starts
the display shows the weight of refrigerant being

recovered.
The compressor shuts off automatically
when the recovery is complete and the display
shows the message 'CPL' and the final weight of the
recovered refrigerant.
6. Wait for five minutes and watch the manifold
gauges for a rise above 0. If a rise occurs press the
HOLD/CONT key. Repeat as needed until the
system pressure holds for two minutes.
Note: Drain the oil
separator
after
each
job.
7. Slowly open the oil drain valve and drain the oil
into the oil catch bottle. When all the recovered oil
has completely drained close the valve.
8. Replace oil lost during the recovery procedure by
measuringthe amount of oil inthe catch bottle and
adding the same amount of new oil to the system.
Note:
Dispose
of the
recovered
oil in an approved way.
9. When the recovery tank is full the compressor is
shut off and the display shows the message FULL.
Evacuating and Recycling the Refrigerant

1.
Open the red (high side) and the blue (low side)
valves on the unit and open the red GAS (vapour)
valve and the blue LIQUID valve on the tank.

2.
Enter the required time using the key-pad, press
enter,thedisplayshowstheenteredtime in minutes.
3. Start the vacuum pump by pressing the VACUUM
KEY again. The recycling process begins
approximately five seconds after the vacuum pump
starts and the message RECYCLE is displayed.
Note: If the vacuum pump
has
run for ten hours or
over

without an oil change the
message
OIL
flashes
on the
display.
Change
the pump oil and
then press
the
SHIFT/

RESET key and
the
zero key to
reset the
oil
change
timer
to zero.
The digital display counts down the evacuation

time.

4.
Check for non-condensibles after five minutes

recycling.
Ifthegauge needles are more than lOpsi
apart purge the non-condensibles from the tank by
open
i ng
the purge valve on the back of the
un
it and
continue to bleed until both needles show the same

reading.

The vacuum sequence continues until the
programmed time has elapsed at which point the
message CPL is displayed.
5. If the moisture indicator turns green recharge with
refrigerant.
or
5. If the moisture indicator has not turned green
replace the unit's filter-drier, which is probably

saturated.

Note:
Pressing
any key at this point allows the next
function to be
accessed.

To recycle the refrigerant only without pulling a
vacuum for an indefinite period of time press the
SHIFT/RESET key and the RECYCLE key on the key­

pad.
Press the SHIFT/RESET key to cancel.
For vacuum only press the SHIFT/RESET key and
the ENTER key and then press
"1".
Run the vacuum
pump as long as required and then press
"1"
or
press SHIFT/RESET to cancel.
8-48 May 1996

^2?
Air Conditioning
System Recharging / Compressor Oil Check
Recharging the System

1.
Open the high side valve on the unit control panel.
If the messages PROGRAM and CHARGE are not
displayed press the CHG key to enter PROGRAM

mode.

2.
Key in the amount of refrigerant needed to recharge
the system and press ENTER.
3. Press the CHG key; the message AUTOMATIC and
the entered amount of refrigerant wi
11
be displayed.
The display counts down to zero as the charging
process proceeds. When the charging is complete
the message CPL is displayed.
If the refrigerant transfer is too slow the charging
unit emits a signal. If the message CHECK
REFRIGERANT is not displayed, close the high side

valve,
open the low side valve and start the air
conditioning system to pull the remainder of the
charge into the system.
If the refrigerant transfer will not complete and the
message CHECK REFRIGERANT is displayed, press
the HOLD/CONT key to interrupt the cycle then
reset the unit by pressing the RESET key. Recover
the refrigerant already charged into the system by
following the procedure for recovering the
refrigerant, add new refrigerant to the tank and
return to Step 1 to recharge the system.

4.
If the air conditioning system is not running start it
and let it run until the gauge pressure readings
stabilize (compare the gauge readings with the
system manufacturer's specifications).
Note:
Ensure
that the
readings
are accurate by closing
both the high and low side
valves
on the unit's control
panel.
5. Check the evaporator outlet temperature to make
sure that the air conditioning system is operating
properly (refer to the system manufacturer's
specifications for the proper temperature).
Compressor Oil Checic
Data
Special Tools
Sanden oil dipstick JD 149
Torque Figures
Oil filler plug 8-12 Nm
Procedure
Whenever a component has been replaced in the
refrigerator system or there is an obvious oil leak, the
following procedure should be carried out.
A Sanden oil dipstick and angle gauge are required in
order to carry out the check.

1.
Run the compressor for 10 minutes at engine idle

speed.

2.
Depressurise the system.
3. Lay the angle gauge across the flat surfaces of the
two front mounting lobes. Centre the bubble and
note the mounting angle.

4.
Remove the compressor from the vehicle.
3. Remove the plug from the oil filler hole
(1
Fig. 1).

4.
Rotate the counter weight (3 Fig. 1) on the front of
theclutchtoallowthedipstick(2 Fig. 1)to penetrate
to its fullest extent.
Figure 1.
5. Insert the dipstick to its stop position (4 Fig. 1). The
point of dipstick angle should be facing left.
6. Removethedipstickandchecktheoil levelagainst
the figures quoted in the chart below.
May 1996 8-49