Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 452

Lotus Service Notes
PL.4 - REFRIGERANT HANDLING
The system is charged with 0.55 kg of refrigerant HFC R134a, and the following precautions MUST
ALWAYS BE OBSERVED.
1. On no account should refrigerant ever be discharged to atmosphere - use a refrigerant recovery/recycling
station in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Filling points on early Elise are located in the
front services compartment, and on the Exige and later Elise, ahead of the RH rear wheel, accessible
after removal of the wheelarch liner.
2. Standard R134a 'quick fit' connectors are provided in the compressor suction and discharge pipes at the
right hand front of the engine bay;
- the low pressure vapour line port is fitted in the pipe between the evaporator and compressor.
- the high pressure liquid line port is fitted in the pipe between the compressor and condenser.
3. Heavy concentrations of refrigerant vapour can produce toxic gas if exposed to a naked flame. The gas
can also attack metal.
4. Refrigerant drums must never be left open - always ensure the caps are securely fitted.
5. Never transport drums of refrigerant in the passenger compartment of a car.
6. Never expose refrigerant drums to high temperature.
7. Never weld or use a steam cleaner in close proximity to any part of the air conditioning system.
8. Never expose the eyes to vapourised or liquid refrigerant - ALWAYS wear safety goggles and gloves
when handling refrigerant.
PL.5 - REFRIGERANT PIPEWORK PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions must be observed when carrying out any work on the refrigerant pipework:
Before disconnecting any refrigerant pipework, the refrigerant must first be recovered using suitable equip-
ment connected to the service valves at the right hand front of the engine bay. Ensure that the equipment is
suitable for R134a.
1. All replacement components and flexible end connections are sealed when new, and should only be
opened IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO FITTING, AND AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, to prevent condensation
of any moisture which may enter when the sealing is removed.
2. Pipes, flexible end connections and components, must be capped immediately they are opened to pre-
vent the ingress of moisture and/or dirt.
3. The receiver-drier should be the LAST component to be connected, to ensure optimum dehydration and
maximum moisture protection of the system.
4. All joints should be coated with refrigeration oil before making any connections, to aid seating.
5. Great care must be taken to prevent damage to the pipe fittings and connections, since due to the high
pressures involved, a leak can be caused by the slightest imperfection. Always use two spanners of the
correct size when releasing or tightening any pipe joint so that the fixed part of the union may be pre-
vented from twisting and damaging the component. This is especially important with the aluminium
condenser.
6. All pipes and hoses must be free from any kinking. The efficiency of the system can be impaired by a
single kink, or restriction. Flexible hoses should not be bent to a radius which is less than ten times the
diameter of the hose.
Section PL
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