Note: The air conditioning system must be evacuated every time it is depressurized.
Vacuuming removes air and moisture that may have entered the system components. After installing a component, the system should be evacuated for 15 minutes. If a component that was depressurized for repair is being installed, the system should be evacuated for 30 minutes.
1. The engine must be turned off.
2. Connect the hoses of the measuring manifold to the service nipples of the vehicle compressor. Close both valves of the nipples of the low and high pressure lines.
3. Make sure that all refrigerant has been pumped out of the system.
4. Connect the hose from the center fitting of the measuring manifold to the inlet fitting of the vacuum pump.
5. Start the vacuum pump, then open both valves of the low and high pressure line fittings of the measuring manifold.
6. After about 10 minutes, check that the low pressure line gauge shows a vacuum of about 94.4 kPa. If a vacuum is not created, there are leaks in the system
In this case, eliminate the leaks as follows:
- a) Close both valves of the measuring manifold fittings and turn off the vacuum pump.
- b) Fill the air conditioning system with refrigerant from the cylinder (approximately 400 grams). See section "Air conditioning system refill".
- c) Check the system for refrigerant leaks using a leak detector. Eliminate any detected faults (leaks). See section "Locating refrigerant leaks".
- d) Evacuate the refrigerant from the system again, then evacuate the system. If no leaks are found in the system, continue evacuating the system.
7. Start the vacuum pump.
8. Open both manifold gauge nipple valves to increase the vacuum to 94.4 kPa.
9. After the low pressure line gauge reading reaches -94.4 kPa, continue to evacuate the system for 15 minutes.
10. After approximately 15 minutes of vacuuming the system, close both valves of the manifold fittings and turn off the vacuum pump. Disconnect the manifold hose from the vacuum pump. The air conditioning system is now ready to be charged with refrigerant.
