Peculiarities of auto air conditioner refuelling

According to the norms, air conditioner refuelling is carried out twice a year. The refuelling technology is divided into stages and each stage must be followed, otherwise the service life of the air conditioner will be reduced.

The best period for refuelling – the beginning and end of the summer season. During the winter period the air conditioner in the car is not often used, but it is necessary to do maintenance. Diagnostics will help to determine what measures are relevant for the air conditioner in this period.

What Freon is necessary for car air conditioner

Information about the harm of refrigerant r12 became publicly available in 1992, then it was claimed that it poses a danger to the ozone layer. It was discontinued. The refrigerant r12 was gradually replaced by the safer r134. According to technical requirements, the use of r134 entailed a change in the entire system design. Operation with r134 requires synthetic oils, while r12 can be operated with mineral oils. Freon with oil of synthetic origin is more expensive.

What happens if you accidentally fillr134 into a 12 system? The gas will not be able to dissolve the oil, and the compressor, not getting lubrication, will start to wedge. To prevent misunderstandings, the manufacturer developed filling fittings for r134 that were different from r12.

• The r12 refuelling connectors are similar to wheel nipples with a cap that screws on like a car wheel.
• The connectors for r134 Freon have a larger diameter and height. They resemble connections for pneumatic tools.

The plastic cap for the r12 system has a resemblance to a wheel. And the caps for r134 resemble large toothpaste tube caps. Clearly, it is virtually impossible to confuse and use r12 equipment instead of r134.

If you're using a r12 instead of r134 system, it's virtually impossible.

Machines with a production date before 1992 run on r12. The Freon brand for autos later than this date is – r134. Doubts may arise only in the owners of cars of 1992-1993 year of manufacture. This period is considered a transitional period. The above information will help car owners to understand what system is in their car.

Interestingly, today scientists have disproved the harmful effects of Freon r12. The emergence of ozone holes has been recognised as cyclical. The r12 ban was most likely the work of the American chemical company «Dupont». Everyone in the world is using its expensive r134, and the former Soviet Union plants that produced Freon 12 have been closed.

All the world is using its expensive r134, and the former Soviet Union plants that produced Freon 12 are closed.

Changing the air conditioner compressor in the car it is necessary to set the level of oil, not forgetting about its type and quantity.

Filling the air conditioner compressor with oil

It is necessary to know the amount of oil in the replacement compressor. There is a full fill (236ml), a half fill or no oil at all. When there is oil in the compressor, it must be drained and refilled with the correct amount to balance the system.

Only the oil type specified by the manufacturer must be used, taking into account its viscosity. Failure to comply will result in compressor noise and early wear.

The compressor will be noisy and at risk of early wear.

After the refuelling procedure, the clutch must be cranked before the unit itself can be installed. Cranking will help to spread the oil around the compressor, reduce the likelihood of compressor failure due to dry bearings, and reduce the starting torque when the clutch is first moved.

After the filling procedure, the clutch should be cranked before the unit is installed.

Filling and all other procedures related to the car air conditioner must be carried out in car centres. Drivers are not allowed to do this work themselves, and if they do, the manufacturer will void the warranty.