Vacuum Pump Maintenance - Electrolux Side by Side Refrigerator Service Manual

Vacuum Pump Maintenance

It is absolutely essential to maintain your vacuum pump according to the
manufacturer's instructions including required oil changes at the recommended
intervals. Vacuum pump oil should always be changed after evacuating a
contaminated system. Vacuum pump performance should be checked periodically
with a micron gauge.
Vacuum pump suppliers may or may not recommend changing the vacuum pump
oil to the same type that's in the system being evacuated. Some manufacturers
may recommend a vacuum pump that's dedicated to R-134a systems.
Robinair has stated that their current and discontinued vacuum pump models,
using mineral oil currently specified for use in their vacuum pumps, can be used to
evacuate R-134a/Ester oil systems. Robinair also states that it is acceptable to
alternate between evacuating R-12/mineral oil and R-134a/Ester oil systems
without adversely effecting the vacuum pump's performance.
For other brands of vacuum pumps, check with the manufacturer for restrictions
and guidelines when using with R-134a.
CAUTION
If you use a vacuum pump with
mineral oil to evacuate an R-134a
system, it is ABSOLUTELY
ESSENTIAL to have a shut-off valve
between pump and your manifold
gauge set as shown in Figure E4.
The hand valve must be closed
during all times when vacuum
pump is not operating. This will
prevent migration of mineral oil
vapor into R134a/Ester oil system. If
vacuum pump should stop during
evacuation for any reason, the hand
pump shut-off valve must be closed
immediately.
Section E
TEE
FITTING
EVAPORATOR
FILTER
DRIER
CONDENSER
PROCESS TUBE
ADAPTERS
Figure E4
Evacuating and Recharging Connections
7 5
COMPOUND
PRESSURE
GAUGE
GAUGE
GAGE
MANIFOLD
SHUTOFF
HEATED
CHARGING
CYLINDER
COMPRESSOR
2 STAGE VACUUM
PUMP
HAND
VALVE