Dodge Sprinter 2006 Manual page 2094

24 - 62 PLUMBING
CAUTIONS
CAUTION: Never add R-12 to a refrigerant system
designed to use R-134a. Do not use R-12 equipment
or parts on a R-134a A/C system. These refrigerants
are not compatible and damage to the A/C system
will result.
CAUTION: Never use R-12 refrigerant oil in a A/C
system designed to use R-134a refrigerant oil.
These refrigerant oils are not compatible and dam-
age to the A/C system will result.
CAUTION: The use of A/C system sealers may
result in damage to A/C refrigerant recovery/evacu-
ation/recharging equipment and/or A/C system.
Many federal, state/provincial and local regulations
prohibit the recharge of A/C systems with known
leaks. DaimlerChrysler recommends the detection
of A/C system leaks through the use of approved
leak detectors and fluorescent leak detection dyes.
Vehicles found with A/C system sealers should be
treated as contaminated and replacement of the
entire A/C refrigerant system is recommended. A/C
systems found to be contaminated with A/C system
sealers, A/C stop-leak products or seal conditioners
voids the warranty for the A/C system.
CAUTION: Recover the refrigerant before opening
any fitting or connection. Open the fittings with
caution, even after the system has been dis-
charged. Never open or loosen a connection before
recovering the refrigerant.
CAUTION: If equipped, do not remove the second-
ary retention clip from any spring-lock coupler con-
nection while the refrigerant system is under
pressure. Recover the refrigerant before removing
the secondary retention clip. Open the fittings with
caution, even after the system has been dis-
charged. Never open or loosen a connection before
recovering the refrigerant.
CAUTION: The internal parts of the A/C system will
remain stable as long as moisture-free refrigerant
and refrigerant oil is used. Abnormal amounts of
dirt, moisture or air can upset the chemical stability.
This may cause operational troubles or even seri-
ous damage if present in more than very small
quantities. Before disconnecting a component,
clean the outside of the fittings thoroughly to pre-
vent contamination from entering the refrigerant
system. Keep service tools and the work area clean.
Do not open the refrigerant system or uncap a
replacement component until you are ready to ser-
vice the system. Immediately after disconnecting a
component from the refrigerant system, seal the
open fittings with a cap or plug. This will prevent
contamination from entering the A/C system.
CAUTION: Refrigerant oil will absorb moisture from
the atmosphere if left uncapped. Do not open a
container of refrigerant oil until you are ready to
use it. Replace the cap on the oil container immedi-
ately after using. Store refrigerant oil only in a
clean, airtight, and moisture-free container.
CAUTION: Do not overcharge the refrigerant sys-
tem. Overcharging will cause excessive compressor
head pressure and can cause compressor noise
and A/C system failure.
DI AGN OSI S AN D T EST I N G
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM LEAKS
WARNING: R-134a service equipment or vehicle A/C
system should not be pressure tested or leak tested
with compressed air. Mixture of air and R-134a can
be combustible at elevated pressures. These mix-
tures are potentially dangerous and may result in
fire or explosion causing property damage, per-
sonal injury or death.
Avoid breathing A/C refrigerant and lubricant vapor
or mist. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose and
throat. Use only approved service equipment meet-
ing SAE requirements to discharge R-134a system.
If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate
work area before resuming service.
If t h e A/C syst em is n ot coolin g pr oper ly, det er m in e
if t h e r efr iger a n t syst em is fu lly ch a r ged wit h
R-134a . Th is is a ccom plish ed by per for m in g a Refr ig-
er a n t Syst em Ch a r ge Level t est (Refer t o 24 - H E AT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/P LUMBING
DIAGNOSIS AND TE STING - RE F RIGE RANT SYS-
TE M CH ARGE LE VE L) or by com plet ely eva cu a t in g
a n d r ech a r gin g t h e A/C syst em . If t h e A/C liqu id lin e
pr essu r e is fou n d t o be less t h a n 345 kP a (50 psi)
wh ile per for m in g t h e Refr iger a n t Syst em Ch a r ge
Level t est , pr oceed t o t h e Syst em E m pt y pr ocedu r e
below. If liqu id lin e pr essu r e is fou n d t o be gr ea t er
t h a n 345 kP a (50 psi), pr oceed t o t h e Syst em Low
pr ocedu r e. If t h e r efr iger a n t syst em is em pt y or low
in r efr iger a n t ch a r ge, a lea k a t a n y lin e fit t in g or
com pon en t sea l is likely. A r eview of t h e fit t in gs,
lin es a n d com pon en t s for oily r esidu e is a n in dica t ion
of t h e lea k loca t ion . To det ect a lea k in t h e r efr iger-
a n t syst em , per for m on e of t h e followin g pr ocedu r es
a s in dica t ed by t h e sym pt om s.
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