1997 ASTON MARTIN DB7 engine

Air Conditioning
System Checking with the Manifold Gauge Set D'^?
Purging the Test Hoses

1.
With the manifold test set attached to the system.

2.
Purge the high pressure test hose by cracking open
the high pressure side hand valve on the manifold
gauge set for 3 to 5 seconds. This allows the system
refrigerant to purge the air from the test hose and
discharge through the manifold centre test hose.
Immediately cl ose the high pressure side hand

valve.

3. Purge the low pressure test hose in the same manner
by cracking open the low pressure side hand valve
manifold gauge
set
for 3 to 5 seconds, then close the
hand valve.
Stabilising the System
The manifold gauge set is now attached to the
system and the test hoses purged of air. With both
hand valves closed, the system must be operated
for a few minutes to stabilise all pressures and
temperatures throughout the system in order to
obtain accurate test gauge readings.
Proceed as follows:

1.
Place all test hoses, gauge set and other equipment
away from all engine moving parts. Also keep the
hoses from touching the hot engine manifold.

2.
Start the engine and adjust engine speed to fast idle
3. Turn on the air conditioning and set for maximum
cooling with blower fans on high speed

4.
Open the car doors and/or windows (to quickly
eliminate car interior heat).
5. Operate the system under these conditions for 5 to
10 minutes to stabilise the system ready for testing.
6. Check the system for full refrigerant by noting the
sightglass indications. Some refrigerant loss occurs
over a period of time.
Note: The air conditioning
system
must contain a full
refrigerant
charge
before an accurate
system
check can
be
made.
An insufficient
charge
is indicated by
a stream

of
bubbles
or
foam.
If
the
refrigerant charge is low, the

system
must
be
fullydischarged into
a
refrigerant recovery
station and recharged with the correct weight of refrigerant
82.30.08. Do not top up a
system
with refrigerant.
Leak Test
A high proportion of ail air conditioning work
consists of locating and repairing leaks.
Many leaks are located at connections and are
caused by vibration. They may only require the re-
tightening of a connection or clamp.
Occasionally a hose rubs on a structural part of the
vehicle and creates a leak, or a hose deteriorates
which will require a replacement.
The specified maximum leakage rate at each fitting
is 0.5 kg of R 134a in 40 years and a leak detector
capable of operating to this accuracy must be

provided.
To check place the leak detector probe at
the lowest pointofeach joint, pausefortwo seconds.
Do not wave the probe about as refrigerant is
heavier than air and flows to the lowest point. If a
leak is greater than 0-5 kg in forty years is detected
identify the leak point for rectification.
Check that the leaking fitting has been tightened to
the correct torque. If the torque is low, rectify and
repeat leak test. If the torque is satisfactory,
depressurise the system, dismantle the leaking
connection and check the quality of the fitting.
If the fitting is satisfactory, clean and reassemble
after applying a thin film of refrigerant to the seat of
aflarefitting, ora newoiled "O" ring to an "O" ring

fitting.

Tighten to the correct torque.
Charge the system with 200 g of El 34A and leak test
the rectified system. If the system is satisfactory,
depressurise, evacuate and recharge the system.
If the system is unsatisfactory, i.e. leakage greater
than 0.5 kg in forty years, depressurise and replace
the leaking assembly.
8-40 May 1996

=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

^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
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

^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

^?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Compressor Removal
8.1.01.1 Compressor Removal/Renewal
Procedure

1.
Open the bonnet and fit a wing cover.

2.
Depressurise the air conditioning system.
3.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Disconnect the low and high pressure hoses from
the rear of the compressor. Plug the hose ends to
prevent the ingress of dirt.
Remove the compressor pivot bolt securing nut.
Carefully separate the muffler from the compressor
and remove and discard the 'O' ring
seal.

Fit a blanking plug to the muffler and a blanking
plate to the compressor, fit and tighten the bolt that
secures blanking plate.
Raise the vehicle to working height on a ramp.
Figure 7.

10.
Slacken the compressor drive belt adjuster rod and
adjuster plate securing nuts and bolts (Fig.
1
-4, 5, 6
and 7)

11.
Slacken adjuster nut (Fig.
1
-10).

12.
Remove the nut and bolt (Fig. 1-4 and 5) from
adjuster plate (Fig. 1-3).

13.
Slacken trunnion nut and bolt (Fig.
1
-9 and 2) and
remove the adjuster rod (Fig. 1-1).

14.
Disconnect the compressor multi-plug.

1
5. Remove the compressor drive belt.

16.
Pivot the compressor away from engine, support
the compressor and remove the top pivot bolt and
lift the compressor clear of the vehicle.

17.
Removethemountingbracketsfromthecompressor.

26.
Lift the compressor up to the engine and fit the top
pivot bolt (Fig.
1
-2) from above.

27.
Attach adjustment rod loosely to the compressor

(Fig.
1
-1) with nut and bolt (Fig.
1
-6 and 7).

28.
Loosely attach adjustment plate (Fig. 1-3) to the
compressor with nut and bolt (Fig.
1
-4 and 5).

29.
Fit bolt (Fig.
1
-2) through trunnion (Fig.
1
-8) and fit
nut (Fig. 1-9) to the bolt.

30.
Fit the drive belt over the pulley, move the
compressor away from the engine to tension the
drive belt and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts.

31.
To obtain the correct tension on the drive belt
tighten adjuster nuts
(Fig.
1
-10). The belt
is
correctly
tensioned when a load of 59- 63.6 kg (130 -140 lb)
applied at the centre deflects the belt 4 mm.

32.
Ensure that all securing bolts and nuts are fully

tightened.

33.
Lowerthe vehicle to the ground.

34.
Remove the blanking plate and the blanking plugs
from the compressor.

36.
Fit new 'O' ring seals to the low and high pressure
hoses and connect them to the compressor. Fit the
retaining plate, fit and tighten the screw.

38.
Charge the air conditioning system.

39.
Remove the wing cover and close the bonnet.
May 1996 8-51

^2?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Hose - Compressor to Evaporator/Air-Con Unit Renew
8.1.06.1 Hose-Compressor
to
Evaporator
Renewal
Procedure

1.
Open the bonnet and fit a wing cover.

2.
Depressurise the air conditioning systenn.
3. Remove the hose to evaporator valve clamping

plate,
disconnect the hose from the valve, remove
and discard the 'O' ring
seal.

4.
Fit a blanking plug to the evaporator valve. Release
the evaporator hose securing clips.
5. Remove the compressor outlet port retaining bolt.
6. Disconnect the hose from the compressor, discard
the hose complete with 'O' ring seals.
7. Connect the hose to the evaporator valve and
tighten clamp onto the hose.
8. Route the hose to the compressor, fit a new 'O' ring
seal and connect it to the compressor.
9. Position the outlet port retaining plate on the
compressor, fit and tighten the securing bolt.

10.
Refit the hose to the clips.

11.
Charge the air conditioning system.

12.
Remove the wing cover and close the bonnet.
8.2.01.1 Air Conditioning Unit Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Drain the engine coolant into a suitable container.
3. Depressurise the air conditioning system.

4.
Disconnect the high and low pressure hoses and
expansion valve from the air conditioning unit (see
expansion valve renewal).
5. Slacken the coolant hose to the heater matrix pipe
securing clips and disconnect the hoses from the
matrix. (This will require the removal of the air
intake hose for access.)
6. Remove the following items from inside the car:
front seats
underscuttle panels/knee bolsters
glove box assembly
facia trim (walnut trim)
radio and ashtray
centre console switch panel assembly
instrument panel and surround trim
steering wheel and column
facia assembly complete
hoses - distribution box to door vents
facia support frame
Details and drawings of the above operations can
be found in the electrical and trim sections.
Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the blower
motors, water valve and reservoir.
Un-clip the electrical harness from the air
conditioningunit, release theelectrical connections
and reposition the harness to allow removal of the
unit.
Displace and remove the footwell ventilator ducts
and hoses (Fig. 1-1).
May 1996 8-55

Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Air-Conditioning Unit Renew ^^?

10.
Disconnect the pliable trunking from the unit (Fig.
8.2.02.1
EvaporatOr Unit Renewal
1-2). ^

1.
Remove the air conditioning unit assembly.

2.
Remove the heater pipe guide plate securing screws
and remove the guide plate.
3. Remove the screws secu ri ng evaporator sensor and
withdraw the sensor from the evaporator.

4.
Remove the screws securing the solenoid mounting
plate and displace the mounting plates from the
unit.
5. Removetheharnesstocasingearthboltand displace
the harness.
6. Cut and remove the harness to casing securing
ratchet straps and displace the harness from the

casing.

7. Displace the vacuum hose from the casing.
8. Displace and remove the casing securing clips.
9. Splitthecasingandremovetheevaporatorfromthe
unit.

10.
Remove the expansion valve guide securing screws
and remove the plate.

11.
Displace and remove the plate from the evaporator.

12.
Fitting the new evaporator is the reversal of the
removal procedure.

13.
Refill the engine cooling system with coolant.

14.
Recharge the air conditioning system.
Figure 1

11.
Twistandpulloutthefourairconditioningunitstub
pipes (Fig. 1-3)

12.
Remove the screws securing the air conditioning
unit support stays.

13.
Displace the tunnel carpet for access to the lower
fixing bolts and remove the stays.

14.
Disconnect the condensate drain tubes.

15.
Peel off the tape securing the windscreen demist
duct to the distribution box (Fig.
1
-4).

16.
Remove the air conditioning unit to bulkhead
securing nuts.

1
7. Carefully lift out the air conditioning unit complete
with the distribution box.

18.
Remove the distribution box securing screws and
remove the assembly (Fig.
1
-5).

19.
Reverse the removal procedure to refit the air
conditioning unit.

Note:
Ensure new'O'rings
are
fitted toall air conditioning
tiose connections.
8-56 May 1996