Maintenance; Connections; Recovery; Evacuation - Aston Martin V8 Vantage Workshop Manual

Maintenance

Assessment of the A/C system operating efficiency and fault
classification may be achieved by using the facilities on a
Recovery / Recycling / Recharging unit.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions implicitly and observe
all safety considerations.

Connections

Only use hoses with connectors which are dedicated to
HFC 134a charge ports.
Under no circumstances should connections be made
with the A/C system in operation or valves open.
Should 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.

Recovery

Handling liquid refrigerant is dangerous. A drop of
refrigerant on the skin can result in localized frostbite.
When handling refrigerant, wear gloves and safety
goggles. If refrigerant splashes into the eyes,
immediately wash them with clean water and consult a
Do not attempt to adapt this unit for R-12 as an A/C
system failure will result. Recovery / Recycle /
Recharging equipment has special connections to avoid
cross contamination with R-12 systems.
The A/C unit's overfill limitation mechanism has been
calibrated specifically for use with the 50 lb. (23 Kg)
refillable refrigerant tank.
Run the A/C system for a few minutes before starting the
recovery procedure as this will enable more refrigerant to
be recovered. Turn the A/C system off before starting the
Ensure the A/C system has pressure in it before beginning
the recovery process; if there is no system pressure there is
no refrigerant to recover.
Ensure that the oil drain valve is closed.
Read manufacture's instructions and warnings before
completing any recovery / evacuating and charging
operations.
The Recovery / Recycling / Recharging unit relies on a
weighing mechanism to weight the quantity of oil
removed. Ensure that the Recovery / Recycle /
Recharging unit is not disturbed during the recovery
October 2005
Warning
Warning
doctor.
Caution
procedure.
Caution
procedure.
Air Conditioning (A/C) System (12.03)
1. Connect an R-134a Recovery / Recycling / Recharging
unit to the vehicle A/C system.
2. Follow the Recovery / Recycling / Recharging unit
manufacturer's instructions to evacuate the A/C system.
Compressor oil may be drawn out during this process, take
note of the quantity recovered so that it may be replaced.

Evacuation

The removal of unwanted air and moisture, is critical to the
correct operation of the A/C system. Moisture in the system
can be highly destructive and may cause internal blockages
due to freezing; water suspended in the lubricating oil will
damage the compressor. Once the A/C system has been
dismantled, or the refrigerant charge recovered, all traces of
moisture must be removed before charging.
It is recommended that initially only the high-side valve be
opened at the start of the procedure. After a short time a
small depression should be seen on the low-side, at which
point the low-side valve may be opened and the evacuation
process completed. If a vacuum is not registered on the
low-side, it may indicate that the expansion valve is
permanently closed or that the system is blocked. This
simple check may save time and effort when the system is
Read manufacture's instructions and warnings before
completing any Recovery / Recycling / Recharging
operation.
1. Connect an R-134a Recovery / Recycling / Recharging
unit to the vehicle A/C system.
2. Follow the Recovery / Recycling / Recharging unit
manufacturer's instructions to evacuate the A/C system.

Charging

Do not exceed the specification when charging the A/C
system with refrigerant. Doing so will decrease the
efficiency of the A/C unit or damage the refrigeration
Always start the charging of refrigerant from the high-
pressure side. If charging starts from the low-pressure
side, vanes of the A/C compressor will not be released
and abnormal noise may result.
Read manufacture's instructions and warnings before
completing any Recovery / Recycling / Recharging
operation.
1. Connect an R-134a Recovery / Recycling / Recharging
unit to the vehicle A/C system.
2. Follow the Recovery / Recycling / Recharging unit
manufacturer's instructions to charge the A/C system.
Workshop Manual
Climate Control (12.00)
recharged.
Caution
cycle parts.
Caution
12-3-9