Refrigerant System Evacuation Using a R-134a Refrigerant Management Machine

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Motorcraft® Electric A/C Compressor Oil only must be used as a refrigerant system lubricant for hybrid vehicles. Addition of any oil other than Motorcraft® Electric A/C Compressor Oil to the hybrid vehicle refrigerant system will damage the electric Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor and contaminate the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to REFRIGERANT OIL ADDING .

NOTE: Do not use the R-134a Refrigerant Management Machine built-in oil injection system to inject Motorcraft Electric A/C Compressor Oil to the refrigerant system on hybrid vehicles equipped with an electric Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor if it has been previously used to inject PAG oil. For hybrid vehicles, use only clean manual injection tools. Injection of Motorcraft Electric A/C Compressor Oil into a hybrid vehicle with equipment previously used with PAG oil will contaminate and damage the hybrid A/C system.

NOTE: Ford Motor Company recommends use of a R-134a Refrigerant Management Machine to carry out recovery, evacuation and charging of the refrigerant system. If a R-134a Refrigerant Management Machine is not available, evacuation may be accomplished using a separate Vacuum Pump and R-134a Manifold Gauge Set.

NOTE: Leaks in refrigerant system service equipment, hoses or gauges can cause a leak in vacuum that may be misinterpreted as a problem with the vehicle's refrigerant system. It is necessary to leak-test all refrigerant system service equipment, hoses and gauges on a weekly basis to verify that no leaks are present.

Connect a R-134a Refrigerant Management Machine to the low- and high-pressure service gauge port valves following the operating instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.
Evacuate the system until the low-pressure gauge reads at least 99.4 kPa (29.5 in-Hg) of vacuum and as close to 101.1 kPa (30 in-Hg) as possible. Continue to operate the Vacuum Pump for a minimum of 45 minutes.
Turn OFF the Vacuum Pump. Observe the low-pressure gauge for 5 minutes to make sure that the system vacuum is held. If vacuum is not held for 5 minutes, leak test the system, repair the leak and evacuate the system again.