Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM COLOR CODING INFORMATION

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment 

Recovery 

1. NOTE: Use only Ford Approved R134A refrigerant management equipment.

   Verify the refrigerant purity prior to recovery. Refer to Refrigerant Identification Testing procedure in GENERAL PROCEDURES .

   • 198-RI2012yfp A/C Refrigerant Analyzer for use with R134a and R1234yf vehicles Use the General Equipment: Refrigerant Identification Equipment

2. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   • 265-37887 Ritchie R134A A/C Refrigerant Hybrid Management System Use the General Equipment: Air Conditioning Service Unit

3. NOTE: Never attempt to recover from only the low side service gauge port valve (solenoid valves in the system will not allow for full recovery).

   Recover the refrigerant from the system following the manufacturer's instructions. Note the amount of oil removed during the refrigerant recovery (if any). Add that same amount back into the system once repairs are complete. Refer to the appropriate Refrigerant Oil Adding procedure in GENERAL PROCEDURES .

4. Allow the system to set for about 2 minutes and observe the system vacuum reading. If the vacuum is not lost, disconnect the recovery equipment.
5. If the system loses vacuum, repeat Steps 3 through 5 until the vacuum level remains stable for 2 minutes.
6. Carry out the required repairs.

Evacuation 

1. NOTE: Use an A/C refrigerant analyzer before recovering any of the vehicle's refrigerant. Failure to do so puts the shop's bulk refrigerant at risk of contamination. If the vehicle's A/C refrigerant is contaminated, refer the customer to the service facility that carried out the last A/C service. If the customer wishes to pay the additional cost, use the A/C recovery equipment that is designated for recovering contaminated A/C refrigerant. Dispose of all contaminated A/C refrigerant as hazardous waste in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations. For all equipment, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
   • 198-RI2012yfp A/C Refrigerant Analyzer for use with R134a and R1234yf vehicles Use the General Equipment: Refrigerant Identification Equipment

2. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   • 265-37887 Ritchie R134A A/C Refrigerant Hybrid Management System Use the General Equipment: Air Conditioning Service Unit

3. NOTE: Never attempt to recover from only the low side service gauge port valve (solenoid valves in the system will not allow for full recovery).

   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.

4. Turn off the vacuum pump. Observe the low-pressure gauge for 10 minutes to make sure the system vacuum is held.

Charging 

1. NOTE: Use an A/C refrigerant analyzer before recovering any of the vehicle's refrigerant. Failure to do so puts the shop's bulk refrigerant at risk of contamination. If the vehicle's A/C refrigerant is contaminated, refer the customer to the service facility that carried out the last A/C service. If the customer wishes to pay the additional cost, use the A/C recovery equipment that is designated for recovering contaminated A/C refrigerant. Dispose of all contaminated A/C refrigerant as hazardous waste in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations. For all equipment, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
   • 198-RI2012yfp A/C Refrigerant Analyzer for use with R134a and R1234yf vehicles Use the General Equipment: Refrigerant Identification Equipment

2. Lubricate the refrigerant system with the correct amount of clean PAG oil. Refer to the appropriate Refrigerant Oil Adding procedure in GENERAL PROCEDURES .
3. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   • 265-37887 Ritchie R134A A/C Refrigerant Hybrid Management System Use the General Equipment: Air Conditioning Service Unit

4. Set the refrigerant charge amount and charge the refrigerant system following the manufacturer's instructions.

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM COLOR CODING INFORMATION

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment 

Activation 

1. Refer to: Health and Safety Precautions .
2. Unscrew and remove the protective caps from the A/C charging connections. Use the General Equipment: Air Conditioning Service UnitUse the General Equipment: Refrigerant Identification Equipment
3. 1. Low-pressure connection
   2. High-pressure connection
4. Use the refrigerant analyzer before recovery, otherwise the refrigerant center may become contaminated. Dispose of contaminated refrigerant as hazardous waste. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using the refrigerant center and the refrigerant analyzer.

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5. Connect the service unit lines to the filling connection of the air conditioning system.

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

6. Drain the air conditioning system via the low-pressure port in accordance with the service unit manufacturer instructions.
7. NOTE: Make sure that the specified amount of refrigerant oil is added.
   NOTE: Make sure that a new component is installed.

   Fill up with refrigerant oil. Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS .

8. Evacuate the air conditioning system in accordance with the service unit manufacturer instructions.
9. NOTE: Filling port valve leakage cannot be detected during test due to the valve is bypassed by service unit.
   NOTE: Make sure that there is no leakage on the filling port valve area.

   Perform the leak test in accordance with the service unit manufacturer instructions.

10. Locate and rectify any leaks in the A/C refrigerant circuit, if necessary using a leak tester.
11. Add refrigerant oil to the air conditioning system. Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS .
12. Fill the air conditioning system with liquid through the high-pressure connection. Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS .
13. 1. Open the shut-off valve on the high-pressure side.
    2. Switch the service unit to "Fill" mode and fill the system with the specified quantity of liquid refrigerant.
14. Fill the air conditioning system with gas through the low-pressure connection. Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS .
15. 1. Open the shut-off valve on the low-pressure side.
    2. Switch the service unit to "Fill" mode and fill the system with the specified quantity of gaseous refrigerant.
    3. Add the remaining amount of refrigerant with the air conditioning switched on. To do so run the engine at about 1200-1500 rev/min. Set the air conditioning system to full cooling power and fresh air mode. Set the blower motor to the highest setting. Fill with the remainder of the specified fill capacity.
16. Disconnect the service unit.
17. 1. Close the shut-off valve.
    2. Switch off the service unit.
    3. Disconnect the service unit lines from the filling connections of the air conditioning system.
    4. Screw the protective caps onto the charging connections.
18. Install all components in reverse order.