7 2 Air Conditioning Service

System Servicing
&
Performance
Objectives
Refrigerant Recovery
Refrigerant Recycling
System Performance Testing

Moisture Review
Refrigerant and oil, when exposed to the

air, absorbs moisture
– Also receiver-drier & accumulator desiccant
Moisture enters through damaged lines,
hoses, and connections
– Improper evacuation during past service
Refrigerant and moisture form
hydrochloric acid
Acid breaks down system components
Moisture Review
• Moisture removal requires a minimum of
20-30 minutes of vacuum pump operation
– The longer a system is evacuated, the more

moisture is removed
– Required vacuum time will vary based on the
temperature and elevation
– The vacuum pump must be capable of
producing required vacuum levels (25-30”)
A system that does not hold vacuum indicates a
leak
The removal of any refrigerant from a
system to be stored and not reused
Required by law
R-12 and R-134a require separate storage
tanks
Refrigerant must be disposed
of at the proper facility
Benefits:
– Refrigerant does not have to be tested
– Mixed refrigerants will not contaminate
a whole bottle of recycled refrigerant
– Refrigeration filtering is
eliminated
– System will be recharged
with a known good
refrigerant
Manual recovery unit
– Inexpensive
– Consists of a vacuum pump and a
holding tank
– Manifold gauges are connected to the
high and low sides of the system
– Service line is connected to pump
– High and low side valves are opened
and pressure is allowed to escape into
the tank
– When pressure
stops dropping on
the gauge, the
pump is cycled on
until 10” of vacuum
is achieved
– Process must be
monitored and
manually shut off
Electronic recovery – Most new units
unit recover, recycle,
– Fairly inexpensive and charge the A/C
– Frees technician for system
other tasks
– Recovers all
refrigerant by
creating a slight
vacuum
Electronic recovery unit
– Manifold gauges are connected to the system
or the machine is connected directly
– Service hose is connected to the machine
– Open both valves on the manifold gauge set
and both tank valves on the machine
– Turn on the machine and press the “recovery”
button
– The machine will recover the refrigerant and
stop automatically when finished
Electronic recovery
unit
– Monitor the
manifold gauges for
1-2 minutes to
insure pressure
remains at zero (0)
– If pressure rises,
repeat recovery
process
Electronic recovery
unit
– Drain the oil that
was recovered from
the system into the
supplied measuring
cup
– Add new oil to the
system before
recharging
– Turn off all gauge
and tank valves;
disconnect hoses
• The process of removing moisture and
foreign material from recovered
refrigerant, to be reused in the A/C
system
• Saves cost of new refrigerant
• Saves time in connecting
multiple machines
• R12 machine
 Cleans refrigerant  Purge air from the
that is already system as necessary
contained in the
storage tank
 Open both valves of
the storage tank and
press the “recycle”
button
 Watch the moisture
indicator and continue
recycling until it turns
green
• R134a machine
 Refrigerant is cleaned in the “evacuation”
mode as a vacuum is being pulled on the A/C
system
A/C System
Performance Checks
Belt tension & condition
Is it slipping?
Glazed?
Oily?
Is the tensioner
working?
What condition is
the pulley in?
Compressor clutch operation
Is it cycling?
How fast?
Does it slip when
engaged?
Is there oil residue
or dirt on the
clutch?
Compressor clutch operation
A slipping clutch may be caused by an improper
air gap, contamination to the clutch surface, or
voltage problems at the clutch coil
Electric Fan Operation
Does the fan come
on when the A/C
function is
selected?
Is there a high or
low side pressure
switch?
Does it work?
Blower Motor
Does the motor
operate?
Is it operating at
full speed
Cabin Air-flow
Is the air blowing
from the correct
vents? (floor, bi-
level, etc.)
Is the blend door
working properly?
Is the ducting
attached properly
to transfer the air?
Sight Glass Is it clear?
(if applicable) Are there bubbles
when the
compressor clutch
is operating? (air)
Is there foam?
(low charge)
Are there streaks?
(no liquid refrigerant)
Low-side Line
Is it cold?
High-side Line
Is it hot?
Leaks
Damaged tubes or hoses
Leaks
Damaged fittings or line switches
Leaks
Leaking schrader valve
Leaks
Oil around fittings or O-rings
System Operation

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7 2 Air Conditioning Service

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System Servicing

System Performance Testing

Refrigerant and oil, when exposed to the

– The longer a system is evacuated, the more

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