Subaru 2004 Forester, Service Manual

Page: 30 / 622

AC-28
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Refrigerant Charging Procedure
6) Leave it at least 5 to 10 minutes after closing the
valves on low-/high-pressure sides, and then check
the low-pressure gauge reading for any changes.
When the gauge reading changes, this is a sign of
leakage. Check the pipe or hose connector points,
and repair if necessary. Repeat the procedure from
1) after repairing the faulty part.
7) If there are no leaks, further evacuate the sys-
tem 20 to 30 minutes.
8) Close all valves and stop the vacuum pump.
9) Following the can tap operation manual instruc-
tions, install it to refrigerant can.
10) Disconnect the vacuum pump from center
hose, and connect the hose to tap valve.
11) When a 13.6 kg (30 lb) refrigerant container is
used, measure the refrigerant amount in use using
a weighting scale before connecting to center hose.
12) Open the valve on HFC-134a source.
13) Loosen the center hose connection on manifold
gauge (if applicable, press a purge valve on mani-
fold gauge) only for a couple of seconds to allow
the air in the center hose to escape by the refriger-
ant.
14) Make sure that the high-pressure valve of man-
ifold gauge is closed, and then open the low-pres-
sure side valve only to charge the refrigerant.
CAUTION:
Do not open the high-pressure valve. Be sure to
open the low-pressure valve.
15) Close the low-pressure valve when the low-
pressure gauge reading reaches 200 kPa (1,500
mmHg, 59.1 inHg).
16) Using a leak tester, check the system for refrig-
erant leaks.
17) After confirming that there are no leaks with the
leak test, charge the required amount of refrigerant.
18) If the HFC-134a source is empty, close the low-
pressure valve and then close the valve on can tap
before replacing the empty source. Restart charg-
ing operation after replacing the HFC-134a source
with a new one and purging.
19) Close the low-pressure valve if the charge rate
of refrigerant becomes worse.
20) Confirm that both the low-/high-pressure
valves are closed. Start the engine with A/C switch
OFF.
21) Quickly repeat A/C switch ON-OFF cycles a
few times to prevent initial compressor damage.
(1) Tap valve
(2) To center manifold hose
(1) Refrigerant container (HFC-134a)
(2) Weighting scale
AC-00214
(1)
(2)
AC-00215
(1)
(2)
(1) Open
(2) Close
AC-00216
AC-00217
(1)
(2)