Ford Escape: Climate Control System - General Information / General Procedures - Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging

Recovery

NOTICE: Use an A/C refrigerant analyzer before recovering any of the vehicle's A/C 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.

1. Verify the refrigerant purity to recovery.
   Refer to: Refrigerant Identification Testing (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

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

   For R1234yf the A/C Refrigerant Analyzer is equipped in the A/C machine. For R134a refrigerant the analyzer is a separate tool. For the A/C Refrigerant Analyzer. See A/C System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging Service Tools.
   Refer to: Climate Control Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   
   • For the A/C Refrigerant Management Center and A/C Service Unit. See A/C System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging Service Tools.
     Refer to: Climate Control Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
     

1. 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). Open solenoid valves.

   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: Refrigerant Oil Adding (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. 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.
   

1. If the system loses vacuum, repeat Steps 3 through 5 until the vacuum level remains stable for 2 minutes.
   

1. Carry out the required repairs.
   

Evacuation

1. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   
   • For the A/C Refrigerant Management Center and A/C Service Unit. See A/C System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging Service Tools.
     Refer to: Climate Control Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
     

1. 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). Open solenoid valves.

   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.
   

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

Charging

1. Lubricate the refrigerant system with the correct amount of clean refrigerant oil.
   Refer to: Refrigerant Oil Adding (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Connect the tool to the low-side and high-side service gauge port valves following the manufacturer's instructions.
   
   • For the A/C Refrigerant Management Center and A/C Service Unit. See A/C System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging Service Tools.
     Refer to: Climate Control Tools and Equipment (412-00 Climate Control System - General Information, General Procedures).
     

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