Automatic Climate Control System, Safety Measures When Working on Vehicles and For Handling Refrigerant

Automatic Climate Control System, Safety Measures When Working On Vehicles And For Handling Refrigerant
The assemblies and piping system of the air conditioner are filled with the following refrigerant:

1.1.1.2 tetrafluoroethane (CF(3)-CH(2)F or CH(2)F-CF(3))
This refrigerant is currently marketed as R134a, H-FKW 134a, SUVA 134a and KLEA 134a (trade names may vary in the USA).

Safety precautions
The following safety measures are to be heeded for this refrigerant (different or additional regulations may apply in the USA).

The refrigerant circuit is to be discharged first should repair work require the refrigerant circuit to be opened. In doing so, the utmost care is to be taken to avoid contact with liquid refrigerant or refrigerant vapors. Should refrigerant nevertheless escape, avoid inhaling the resultant refrigerant/air mixture.

Extraction systems are therefore to be switched on and use made of both rubber gloves and protective goggles.

Explanation:
Intensive exposure to refrigerant on unprotected parts of the body will result in frostbite.

WARNING:
- Keep an eye bath to hand.
- Should liquid refrigerant come into contact with the eyes, rinse eyes thoroughly in water for approx. 15 minutes.
- Then apply eye drops and consult a doctor immediately even if no pain is felt.
- Always inform doctor of the type of refrigerant involved.

Should refrigerant come into contact with other parts of the body despite compliance with all the pertinent safety measures, these are similarly to be rinsed thoroughly in cold water without delay for at least 15 minutes.

Although refrigerant does not represent a fire hazard, smoking, welding, soldering and brazing are not permitted in areas exposed to refrigerant.

Explanation:
The high temperature of a naked flame or hot objects causes decomposition of refrigerant gas. Inhalation of the resultant toxic decomposition products leads to dry coughing and nausea.

Discharging refrigerant circuit
Refrigerant is never to be allowed to escape into the atmosphere, but rather it is to be extracted from the refrigerant circuit using an extractor or service station. The refrigerant removed is then either to be re-processed on site or returned to the manufacturer for proper disposal (different or additional regulations may apply in the USA).

Discharging refrigerant circuit.

Explanation:
Should it escape into the earth's atmosphere, refrigerant R134a will have a detrimental effect in terms of global warming.

NOTE:
- Refrigerant R134a has far less of a greenhouse effect than R12.
- Refrigerant R134a does not affect the earth's ozone layer (R134a is an H-FC with no chlorine atoms). Depletion of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is however only brought about by the splitting of carbon-chlorine bonds (as is the case, for example, with refrigerant R12).

After discharging air conditioner, unplug connector from A/C Compressor Regulator Valve -N280- or from High Pressure Sensor -G65-.

Explanation:
A/C Compressor Regulator Valve -N280- is then no longer actuated and compressor runs at idle. Compressor is designed such that lubrication of compressor components is guaranteed by way of an internal oil circuit at idle (provided there is sufficient refrigerant oil in the compressor).

Working on refrigerant circuit
Work on refrigerant circuit is only to be carried out in well ventilated areas where there are no inspection pits, shafts or cellar entrances within a radius of 5 meters. Extraction systems are to be switched on.

Explanation:
The refrigerant emerging is not only colorless and odorless, but also heavier than air and thus displaces oxygen. Should refrigerant gas nevertheless escape, this can result in animperceptible danger of asphyxiation in poorly ventilated areas and inspection pits.

NOTE:
- The mixture of gas and air which forms when refrigerant gas escapes must not be inhaled. Use is to be made of suitable workshop extractors.
- Welding, brazing and soldering are not permitted on sections of the air conditioner when filled. This likewise applies to vehicle welding and soldering work if there is a danger of air conditioner components becoming warm.

Explanation:
Exposure to heat creates considerable pressure in the system, which could cause it to burst.

Remedy:
Discharge refrigerant circuit.

NOTE: Damaged or leaking parts of the air conditioner are never to be repaired by welding or soldering them; they are always to be replaced.

When servicing air conditioner, all open components and pipe connections are to be immediately re-sealed.

Explanation:
Moisture will ingress into air conditioner components if they are left open for a lengthy period. If this is the case, air conditioners cannot be re-filled without having to replace parts of the system.

Painting work on vehicles with air conditioner
When performing paintwork repairs, object temperatures of 80 degree C are not to be exceeded in drying booths or their pre-heating areas.

Explanation:
Exposure to heat creates considerable pressure in the system, which could cause it to burst.

Further information:
- A label in the engine compartment indicates the refrigerant used as well as the capacity.
- Further information on repair operations on vehicles with air conditioners as well as on the handling of refrigerants can be found in the ELSA system.

- Access internet from ELSA and refer to "Air conditioner - with refrigerant R134a Audi" under Technical Information.