Service Warnings And Precautions - Jeep Wrangler 1999 Electronic Service Manual

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GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)

SERVICE WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

WARNING:
• THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CONTAINS
REFRIGERANT UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. SEVERE
PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT FROM IMPROPER
SERVICE PROCEDURES. REPAIRS SHOULD ONLY
BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSON-
NEL.
• AVOID BREATHING THE REFRIGERANT AND
REFRIGERANT OIL VAPOR OR MIST. EXPOSURE
MAY IRRITATE THE EYES, NOSE, AND/OR THROAT.
WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SERVICING THE
AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT SYSTEM. SERI-
OUS EYE INJURY CAN RESULT FROM DIRECT
CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERANT. IF EYE CON-
TACT OCCURS, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMME-
DIATELY.
• DO NOT EXPOSE THE REFRIGERANT TO
OPEN FLAME. POISONOUS GAS IS CREATED
WHEN REFRIGERANT IS BURNED. AN ELEC-
TRONIC LEAK DETECTOR IS RECOMMENDED.
• IF
ACCIDENTAL
OCCURS, VENTILATE THE WORK AREA BEFORE
RESUMING SERVICE.
REFRIGERANT RELEASED IN A CLOSED WORK
AREA WILL DISPLACE THE OXYGEN AND CAUSE
SUFFOCATION.
• THE EVAPORATION RATE OF R-134a REFRIG-
ERANT AT AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AND ALTI-
TUDE IS EXTREMELY
ANYTHING THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE
REFRIGERANT WILL FREEZE. ALWAYS PROTECT
THE SKIN OR DELICATE OBJECTS FROM DIRECT
CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERANT.
• THE R-134a SERVICE EQUIPMENT OR THE
VEHICLE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE
PRESSURE TESTED OR LEAK TESTED WITH COM-
PRESSED AIR. SOME MIXTURES OF AIR AND
R-134a HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE COMBUSTIBLE
AT ELEVATED PRESSURES. THESE MIXTURES ARE
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, AND MAY RESULT IN
FIRE OR EXPLOSION CAUSING INJURY OR PROP-
ERTY DAMAGE.
CAUTION:
• Liquid refrigerant is corrosive to metal sur-
faces. Follow the operating instructions supplied
with the service equipment being used.
• Never
add R-12
designed to use R-134a. Damage to the system will
result.
• R-12 refrigerant oil must not be mixed with
R-134a refrigerant oil. They are not compatible.
• Do not use R-12 equipment or parts on the
R-134a system. Damage to the system will result.
SYSTEM DISCHARGE
LARGE AMOUNTS
HIGH. AS A RESULT,
to a refrigerant system
HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
• Do not overcharge the refrigerant system. This
will cause excessive compressor head pressure
and can cause noise and system failure.
• Recover the refrigerant before opening any fit-
ting or connection. Open the fittings with caution,
even after the system has been discharged. Never
open or loosen a connection before recovering the
refrigerant.
• Do not remove the secondary retention clip
from any spring-lock coupler connection 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 discharged. Never open or loosen
a connection before recovering the refrigerant.
• The refrigerant system must always be evacu-
ated before charging.
• Do not open the refrigerant system or uncap a
replacement component until you are ready to ser-
vice the system. This will prevent contamination in
the system.
• Before disconnecting a component, clean the
outside of the fittings thoroughly to prevent con-
tamination from entering the refrigerant system.
• Immediately after disconnecting a component
OF
from the refrigerant system, seal the open fittings
with a cap or plug.
• Before connecting an open refrigerant fitting,
always install a new seal or gasket. Coat the fitting
and seal with clean refrigerant oil before connect-
ing.
• Do not remove the sealing caps from a replace-
ment component until it is to be installed.
• When installing a refrigerant line, avoid sharp
bends that may restrict refrigerant flow. Position the
refrigerant lines away from exhaust system compo-
nents or any sharp edges, which may damage the
line.
• Tighten refrigerant fittings only to the specified
torque. The aluminum fittings used in the refriger-
ant system will not tolerate overtightening.
• When disconnecting a refrigerant fitting, use a
wrench on both halves of the fitting. This will pre-
vent twisting of the refrigerant lines or tubes.
• Refrigerant oil will absorb moisture from the
atmosphere if left uncapped. Do not open a con-
tainer of refrigerant oil until you are ready to use it.
Replace the cap on the oil container immediately
after using. Store refrigerant oil only in a clean, air-
tight, and moisture-free container.
• Keep service tools and the work area clean.
Contamination of the refrigerant system through
careless work habits must be avoided.
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