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AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
FLUSHING
FLUSHING nvolves the introduction of a chemical solvent into the contaminated components. Use only an approved AC Flush chemical intended for this purpose. A flush chemical must be capable of loosening the contaminants and evaporate quickly, leaving no residue behind.
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Start by introducing the flush solvent into the condenser. An air pressurized flush gun is available for this purpose but a plastic squeeze bottle with a tapered nozzle tip and a little patience will get the job done. Be certain the plastic is compatible with the solvent or it may begin to dissolve during use. Cover the inlet and outlet of the condenser and allow the solvent to sit for 20 - 30 minutes and blow the solvent out opposite the direction of flow by means of a rubber tipped air gun. Force a length of plastic or rubber hose over the fitting the solvent is coming out of and direct it into another bottle where you can filter and collect it (a funnel and coffee filter works well for this) so you may recycle it. Keep repeating this until the solvent comes out clean. Then move on to the hoses, tubes and evaporator (remember to remove the orifice tube or expansion valve prior to flushing, and installation of the new orifice tube/or valve). If the inlet to the evaporator and the suction hose are clean you can probably get away without flushing the evaporator, but this is a judgment to be made by the technician. Be sure to flush out the hoses, paying special attention to mufflers, (they resemble cans and are often used in discharge lines), especially if you are changing a seized compressor. |
NEVER
flush through a compressor, drier or expansion valve. You will ruin them. ALWAYS try to flush opposite the direction of flow whenever possible. You do not want to flush the contaminants deeper into the component you are attempting to clean.System FLOW begins at the discharge port of the compressor and continues via the discharge hose on to the condenser inlet where it moves through the condenser and exits the condenser outlet into the liquid line, travels through the drier and continues on to the expansion valve at the evaporator inlet. In the case of an accumulator system, the flow goes directly from the condenser outlet via the liquid line to the orifice tube, which is typically located in the evaporator inlet, through the evaporator and the evaporator outlet, into and out of the accumulator which connects to the suction line, which is connected to the suction port of the compressor.
A word of CAUTION
Flushing is a nasty, dirty job that needs to be done outdoors or in a very well ventilated work place. It is not something you do in your home garage.
BE AWARE THAT WHEN YOU BLOW THE FLUSH OUT OF THE COMPONENTS A CERTAIN AMOUNT WILL VAPORIZE AND BE VERY PRONE TO EXPLOSIONS AND FLASH FIRES. A HOT LIGHT BULB OR A SPARKING SWITCH CAN CAUSE A VERY UNPLEASANT, EVEN FATAL EVENT. DON’T BE PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH. IF YOU AREN’T SURE DON’T DO IT.
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