Verify Refrigerant Lubricant Level - Chrysler 1998 Viper RT/10 Owner's Manual

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HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING 2 4 - 15
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
LOCATING VACUUM LEAKS
To locate a vacuum leak, disconnect 7-way vacuum
connector behind the instrument panel at the A/C
Heater control. For removal and installation of A/C
Heater control panel, refer to Group 8E, Instrument
Panel. Connect the calibrated vacuum hose prod to
each port i n the vacuum harness connector. Some
vacuum circuits have a metal fiber restrictive device
located i n the line. More reaction time is required for
the test gauge to r e t u r n to calibrated setting. After
each connection is made, the test gauge should
r e t u r n to calibrated setting. I f a l l circuits function
properly, replace control mode vacuum switch. I f not,
determine the color of the vacuum circuit that is
leaking. To determine vacuum line colors, refer to the
A/C Heater Vacuum Circuit Control chart i n this sec-
tion. Disconnect the vacuum actuator at the other
end of the circuit. (Instrument panel removal may be
necessary to gain access to some components). Block
the end of the disconnected vacuum line. The test
gauge should r e t u r n to calibrated setting. I f not, t h a t
circuit has a leak and must be repaired or replaced.
I f test gauge returns to calibrated setting, the vac-
uum actuator must be replaced.
VERIFY REFRIGERANT LUBRICANT LEVEL
(1) Discharge refrigerant system using recovery/re-
cycling equipment i f charge is present.
(2) Disconnect refrigerant lines from A/C compres-
sor. Cap the open lines to prevent moisture from
entering system.
(3) Remove compressor from vehicle.
(4) F r o m suction port on top of compressor, d r a i n
lubricant from compressor.
(5) A d d system capacity minus the capacity of
components that have not been replaced. Refer to the
Lubricant Capacity Chart. A d d lubricant through the
suction port on compressor. This is not to exceed 133
m l (4.5 oz.) i n total.
(6) I n s t a l l compressor and connect refrigerant
lines. Then evacuate and charge refrigerant system.
(7) Most recovery/recycling equipment w i l l mea-
sure the lubricant being removed. This is the amount
of lubricant to be added back to the system. I f a new
compressor is being installed, d r a i n lubricant from
old compressor, measure the amount drained and dis-
card old lubricant. D r a i n the lubricant from the new
compressor into a clean container. Return the
amount of lubricant measured from the old compres-
sor, plus the amount reclaimed from the system back
into the new compressor.
S E R V I C E P R O C E D U R E S
R-134a REFRIGERANT
This vehicle uses a new type of refrigerant called
R-134a. I t is a non-toxic, non-flammable, clear color-
less liquefied gas.
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible w i t h R-12
refrigerant i n an air conditioning system. Even a
small amount of R-12 i n a R-134a system could cause
compressor failure, refrigerant o i l to sludge and/or
poor performance. N e v e r a d d R-12 to a system
d e s i g n e d to use R-134a. S y s t e m f a i l u r e w i l l
occur.
The A/C service port valve cores are located w i t h i n
the A/C lines. The H i g h Side (Discharge) valve ser-
vice port is located near the f i l t e r - d r i e r on the r i g h t
side of the vehicle, behind the wheel well. The Low
Side (Suction) valve service port is located near the
receiver drier beside the air inlet (Fig. 3).
When servicing a system, i t is required that an air
conditioning charging recovery/recycling machine be
used (Fig. 8). Contact an automotive service equip-
ment supplier for proper equipment. Refer to the
operating instructions provided w i t h the equipment
for proper operation.
Fig. 8 Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Station
(Typical)
A manifold gauge set (Fig. 9) must also be used i n
conjunction w i t h the charging and/or recovery/recy-
cling device. Only use gauges t h a t have not been
used for R-12. The service hoses on the gauge set
should have manual ( t u r n wheel) or automatic back
flow valves at the service port connector ends. This
w i l l prevent refrigerant R-134a from being released
into the atmosphere.