Other Means Of Identification
Refrigerant R-134a, when viewed through a sight glass, may
have a "milky" appearance due to the mixture of refrigerant and
lubricating oil. As the refrigerant and oil DO NOT exhibit a "clear"
sight glass on a properly charged A/C system, most R-134a systems have
no sight glass.
REFRIGERANT OILS
NOTE: Use ONLY the specified oil for the appropriate system or A/C
compressor. Always check vehicle underhood A/C specification
label or A/C compressor label before adding refrigerant oil
to A/C compressor/system. See Figs. 2 and 3. Always use
refrigerant oil specified on vehicle underhood A/C
specification label if different from the following list.
Refrigerant R-12 based systems use mineral oil, while R-134a
systems use Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) oils. Using a mineral oil based
lubricant with R-134a will result in A/C compressor failure due to
lack of proper lubrication. The following R-134a refrigerant oils are
currently specified:
Use DENSO/ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil on Nippondenso
compressors. Use SUN PAG 56 refrigerant oil on Sanden compressors.
NOTE: PAG oils absorb moisture very rapidly, 2.3-5.6 percent by
weight, as compared to a mineral oil absorption rate of
0.005 percent by weight.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT
A/C systems using R-134a refrigerant and PAG lubricants
cannot use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil lubricants. R-134a
refrigerant is NOT compatible or interchangeable with R-12
refrigerant. Separate sets of hoses, manifold gauge sets and
recovery/recycling equipment are required to service the different
systems. This is necessary to avoid cross-contaminating and damaging
A/C system. A single set of A/C service equipment cannot be cleaned
thoroughly enough to be used with both types of refrigerant.
All equipment used to service A/C systems using R-134a must
be U.L. listed and certified to meet SAE standard J2210. The service
hoses on the manifold gauge set must have manual (turn wheel) or
automatic back-flow valves at the service port connector ends. This
will prevent refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere.
For identification purposes, R-134a service hoses must have a
Black stripe along its length and be clearly labeled SAE J2196/R-134a.
The low pressure test hose is Blue with a Black stripe. The high
pressure test hose is Red with a Black stripe, and the center test
hose is Yellow with a Black stripe.
R-134a manifold gauge sets can be identified by one or all of
the following: Labeled FOR USE WITH R-134a on set, labeled HFC-134a or
R-134a on gauge face, or by a Light Blue color on gauge face. In
addition, pressure/temperature scales on R-134a gauge sets are
different from R-12 manifold gauge sets.
SYSTEM SERVICE VALVES
SCHRADER-TYPE VALVES
NOTE: Although similar in construction and operation to a tire
valve, NEVER replace a Schrader-type valve with a tire valve.
Schrader valve is similar in construction and operation to a
tire valve. When a test gauge hose with built-in valve core depressor
is attached, Schrader stem is pushed inward to the open position and
allows system pressure to reach gauge.
If test hose does not have a built-in core depressor, an
adapter must be used. Never attach hose or adapter to Schrader valve
unless it is first connected to manifold gauge set.
Refrigerant R-12 Schrader-type valve cores have TV5 thread
size. Refrigerant R-134a Schrader-type valve cores use M6 (Metric)
threads. See Fig. 1.
SERVICE VALVE LOCATIONS
SERVICE VALVE LOCATIONS TABLE \
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Vehicle High Low
Diamante ...................... ( 1) ................ ( 2)
Eclipse ....................... ( 1) ................ ( 2)
Galant ........................ ( 1) ................ ( 2)
Mirage ........................ ( 1) ................ ( 2)
Montero ....................... ( 3) ................ ( 3)
Montero Sport ................. ( 1) ................ ( 2)
3000GT ........................ ( 4) ................ ( 2)
( 1) - On high pressure line, between accumulator/receiver-
drier and evaporator.
( 2) - On low pressure line, between evaporator and
compressor.
( 3) - On top of accumulator/receiver-drier.
( 4) - On high pressure line, near receiver-drier.
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REFRIGERANT RECOVERY/RECYCLING
Refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment is used to remove
refrigerant from vehicle's A/C system without polluting atmosphere. To
remove and recycle refrigerant, connect the recovery/recycling
equipment and following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Removed refrigerant is filtered, dried and stored in a tank
within the recovery/recycling equipment until it is ready to be pumped
back into vehicle A/C system. With refrigerant stored in the
recovery/recycling equipment, A/C system can be opened without
polluting atmosphere.
NOTE: Separate sets of hoses, gauges and refrigerant
recovery/recycling equipment MUST be used for R-12 and
R-134a based systems. DO NOT mix R-12 and R-134a
refrigerants, as their refrigerant oils and desiccants are
not compatible. It is NOT possible to clean equipment
thoroughly enough to prevent cross-contamination of A/C
systems. On systems with R-134a refrigerant, use
Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) wax-free refrigerant oil.
Attaching hardware
missing ................ C .......... Require replacement of
hardware.
Attaching hardware not
functioning ............ A ... Require repair or replacement
of hardware.
Binding, affecting
performance ............ A .. Require repair or replacement.
Binding, not affecting
performance ............ 2 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Broken .................. A .. Require repair or replacement.
Burned, affecting
performance ............ A ........... (1) Require repair or
replacement.
Burned, not affecting
performance ............ 2 ........... ( 1) Suggest repair or
replacement.
Cracked, affecting
performance ............ A .. Require repair or replacement.
Cracked, not affecting
performance ............ 1 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Float saturated ......... A ............ Require replacement.
Leaking ................. A .. Require repair or replacement.
Malfunctioning .......... A ........... ( 2) Require repair or
replacement.
Melted, affecting
performance ............ A ........... ( 1) Require repair or
replacement.
Melted, not affecting
performance ............ 2 ........... ( 1) Suggest repair or
replacement.
Missing ................. C ............ Require replacement.
Out of adjustment ....... B .. Require repair or replacement.
Terminal broken ......... A .. Require repair or replacement.
Terminal burned, affecting
performance ............ A ........... ( 1) Require repair or
replacement.
Terminal burned, not
affecting performance .. 2 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Terminal corroded,
affecting performance .. A .. Require repair or replacement.
Terminal corroded, not
affecting performance .. 2 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Terminal loose, affecting
performance ............ B .. Require repair or replacement.
Terminal loose, not
affecting performance .. 1 .. Suggest repair or replacement.
Won't return ............ A .. Require repair or replacement.
Worn .................... 1 ............ Suggest replacement.
( 1) - Determine cause and correct prior to repair or
replacement of part.
( 2) - Includes inoperative, intermittent operation, or failure to
perform all functions.
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TIRES
Consult the vehicle owner's manual or vehicle placard for
correct size, speed ratings, and inflation pressure of the original
tires.
TIRE INSPECTION