open gas tank MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1987 1.G Workshop Manual

24-28 AIR-CONDITIONING-Safety Precautions
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS N24PAAB
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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The refrigerant used in all air-conditioning installations is R-12. It is transparent and colorless in both the liquid and
vapor state. Since it has a boiling point of -29.8T (-21.7”F). at atmospheric pressure, it will be a vapor at all normal
temperatures and pressures. The vapor is heavier than air, non- flammable, and nonexplosive. It is nonpoisonous
except when it is in direct contact with open flame. It is noncorrosive except when combined with water. The
following precautions must be observed when handling R-12.
Caution
Wear
safety goggles when servicing the refrigeration system.
R-12 evaporates so rapidly at normal atmospheric pressures and temperatures that it tends to freeze anything it
contacts. For this reason, extreme care must be taken to prevent any liquid refrigerant from contacting the skin and
especially the eyes.
Always wear safety goggles when servicing the refrigeration part of the air- conditioning system. Keep a bottle of
sterile mineral oil handy when working on the refrigeration system. Should any liquid refrigerant get into the eyes,
use a few drops of mineral oil to wash them out. RI12 is rapidly absorbed by the oil. Next, splash the eyes with
plenty of cold water. Call your doctor immediately even though irritation has ceased after treatment.
Caution
Do not heat R-12 above 52°C (125°F).
In most instances, moderate heat is required to bring the pressure of the refrigerant in its container above the
pressure of the system when charging or adding refrigerant. A bucket or large pan of hot water not over 52°C
(125°F) is all the heat required for this purpose. Do not heat the refrigerant container with a blow torch or any other
means that would raise temperature and pressure above this temperature. Do not weld or steam clean on or near
the system components or refrigerant lines.
Caution
Keep R-12 containers upright when charging the system.
When metering R-12 into the refrigeration system, keep the supply tank or cans in an upright position. If the
refrigerant container is on its side or upside down, liquid refrigerant will enter the system and damage the
compressor.
Caution
Always work in a well-ventilated room.
Good ventilation is vital in the working area. Always discharge the refrigerant into the service bay exhaust system
or outside the building. Large quantities of refrigerant vapor in a small, poorly ventilated room can displace the air
and cause suffocation.
Although R-12 vapor is normally nonpoisonous, contact with an open flame can cause the vapor to become very
poisonous. Do not discharge large quantities of refrigerant in an area having an open flame. A poisonous gas is
producted when using the flame-type leak detector. Avoid inhaling the fumes from the leak detector.
Caution
Do not allow liquid refrigerant to touch bright metal.
Refrigerant will tarnish bright metal and chrome surfaces, and in combination with moisture’can severely corrode
all metal surfaces.
/ STB Revision
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AIR-CONDITION1 G-Service Adjustment Procedures 24-37
water 2OUO326
(5) Start the vacuum pump and operate until the evaporator suc-
tion gauge registers at least-101 kPa (29.9 in.of vacuum).
If at least-101 kPa (29.9 in. of vacuum) cannot be obtained,
either the system has a leak or the vacuum pump is defective.
Check the vacuum pump. If the pump proves to be functioning
properly, the system has a leak. Charge the system with one
pound of refrigerant. Locate and repair all leaks. Discharge the
refrigerant and evacuate the system.
(6) Continue to operate the pump for at least five minutes.
(7) Close manifold valves. Turn off the vacuum pump and observe
evaporator suction gauge for two minutes. The vacuum level
should remain constant.
If the vacuum level falls off, the system has a leak. Charge the
system with one pound of refrigerant. Locate and repair all
leaks. Discharge the system and repeat evacuation procedure.
CHARGING THE SYSTEM
The refrigerant system must have been evacuated using the pre-
vious procedure before charging. Charge using only R-l 2 refriger-
ant R-l 2 is available in bulk tanks or small cans. Follow the safety
precautions for handling R-12 as listed in the beginning of this
group.
Charging with Small Cans
When using disposable cans of this type, follow carefully the can
manufactures instructions.
Caution
Never use these cans to charge into the high pressure side of
the system (compressor discharge port) or into a system that
is at high temperature, because the high system pressures
could be transferred into the charging can causing it to ex-
plode.
Keep the refrigerant manifold valves capped when not in use.
Keep a supply of extra refrigerant-can-to-refrigerant-manifold gas-
kets on hand so that gaskets can be replaced periodically. This will
insure a good seal without excessive tightening of the can or the
manifold nuts.
(1) Attach center hose from manifold gauge set to refrigerant
dispensing manifold. Turn refrigerant manifold valves com-
pletely counterclockwise so they are fully open. Remove pro-
tective caps from refrigerant manifold.
(2) Screw refrigerant cans into manifold. Be sure manifold-to-can
gasket is in place and in good condition. Tighten can and man-
ifold nuts to 8 to 11 Nm (6 to 8 ft.lbs.)
(3) Turn refrigerant manifold valves completely clockwise to
puncture the cans and close the manifold valves.
/ ST6 Revision