Cadillac 60 Series 1963 Shop Manual page 406

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
13-25
could cause the drum to explode before the temp-
erature rises to the point where the safety plug
would burst allowing the refrigerant to escape.
3. Do not carry the drum in the passenger
compartment of a car. Always place drum in the
luggage compartment of car or, if in an open
truck, shield drum to protect it from the sun's
rays. This heat could increase the pressure
enough to cause safety plug to burst.
4. Do not subject drum to high temperature
when charging system -- use water no warmer
than 125°F to heat drum. Never place drum on
steam radiator or stove, or use torches for heat-
ing during charging.
5. Do not discharge refrigerant 12 into areas
where there is an exposed flame or where it could
be drawn into the engine air intake when the en-
gine is operating. Concentrations of this gas in
contact with a flame may produce a poisonous
gas.
6. Always wear goggles when doing work that
involves opening the refrigerant lines. An acci-
dent can easily cause liquid refrigerant to strike
the face. If goggles protect the eyes, the likeli-
hood of serious injury will be reduced. A skin
injury can be bathed with cold water and treated
in the same manner as frostbite. If refrigerant
liquid should strike the eye, proceed as follows:
a. Do not rub it in. Splash the affected area
with quantities of cold water to bring the temper-
ature gradually above the freezing point. Apply
a few drops of antiseptic oil to provide a pro-
tective film.
b. If irritation continues, wash the eyes with
a weak solution of boric acid.
c. Consult an eye specialist immediately for
treatment.
b. Handling Lines
1. Store all lines to avoid crushing or kinking.
2. Lines should be kept sealed and dehydrated
in stock. Do not remove shipping caps from lines
until just before installation.
3. Always use two wrenches when tightening
fittings, to prevent twisting the hoses or soft
aluminum tubing. Lubricate all fittings with r e -
frigeration oil to allow the joint to be tightened
without twisting the pipe.
4. Cap ends of lines that have been disconnected
for any reason, to prevent entrance of moisture
or dirt.
5. Gage set and lines should be kept clean and
free from moisture.
6. Do not leave refrigeration oil container open
any longer than necessary, as the special oil is
moisture-free but will rapidly absorb moisture
from the air.
7. Use Vacuum Pump, J-5428, or Charging
Station, J-8393, to remove, any air or moisture
that may have entered the system when it was
opened to replace a part.
c. Collision Service
It is very important that the Air Conditioner
system be inspected as soon as possible whenever
a car so equipped has been involved in a collision.
If the system has been opened as the result of a
collision, it will permit the entry of air, moisture,
and dirt which will cause internal damage. As the
length of time the system has been open and the
extent of damage to the components will govern
the replacement of parts and the service opera-
tions required, a definite procedure cannot be
recommended which will cover all cases. The
following, however, may be used as a guide:
1. Make certain clutch is disengaged if car is
to be operated before repairs are made.
2. Inspect all u n i t s and lines, noting any
damage.
a. If condenser is damaged, it should be r e -
placed. No repairs such as soldering, brazing
or welding should be attempted.
b. Replace dehydrator-receiver assembly if
damaged, leaking, clogged or restricted, or if
system was open for any period of time.
3. Check compressor and clutch pulley for
cracks. If compressor does not show evidence
of external damage, it may be used.
d. Welding
Excessive heat applied to any section of the
refrigerant lines will create excessively high
pressures. For this reason, welding should not
be performed on any portion of the car adjacent
to the refrigerant units or lines.
e. Undercoating
To simplify service operations, undercoating
should not be applied to any connections or rubber
lines of the refrigeration system. While it is
permissible to undercoat the metal refrigerant
lines, all flare joints and connections should first
be masked.
f. Replacing Components
When removing any components or lines from
the system, they must be capped and plugged
immediately to prevent exposing them to mois-
ture.