Air Conditioning Refrigerant / Compressor
repair procedures
Refrigerant System Service Precautions (R-134a)
REFRIGERANT DISCHARGE
Use only equipment listed in U.L. and compliant with SAE J2210 for recovering R-134a refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
Connect the service station (A) certified for R-134a refrigerant to the high-pressure (B) and low-pressure (C) couplers according to the manufacturer's instructions.
After discharging the refrigerant, measure the amount of oil drained. Make sure the same amount of oil is added before charging the system.
EVACUATING THE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
Use only equipment listed in U.L. and compliant with SAE J2210 for recovering R-134a refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
When the air conditioning system has been exposed to ambient air, i.e. during installation or repair, it must be evacuated using an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging system. (If the system has been exposed to ambient air for several days, the liquid container with the desiccant insert must be replaced and the system must be evacuated for several hours.)
Connect the service station (A) certified for R-134a refrigerant to the high-pressure (B) and low-pressure (C) couplers according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If the vacuum does not drop below 93.3 kPa (700 mmHg), there may be a leak in the system. Partially charge the system and check for leaks (see Refrigerant Leak Check).
Disconnect the low-pressure valve from the low-pressure port.
CHARGING THE SYSTEM
Use only equipment listed in U.L. and compliant with SAE J2210 for recovering R-134a refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
Connect the service station (A) certified for R-134a refrigerant to the high-pressure (B) and low-pressure (C) couplers according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Charge the air conditioning system with exactly the same amount of new refrigerant as was removed during recovery. Use only the specified refrigerant oil. Do not overfill the system with R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant, otherwise the compressor will fail.
Specified amount 450 ± 25 g (15.7 ± 0.8 oz)
REFRIGERANT LEAK TEST
Always perform a leak test using an electronic leak detector when a refrigerant leak is suspected or when servicing where components are removed, connections are loosened or joined.
If a leak is detected, proceed as follows:
Check the tightening torque of the connections and tighten to the correct torque if necessary. Check for gas leaks with a leak detector (A).
If the connection continues to leak, drain the refrigerant. Disconnect the connection and check the mating surfaces for damage. Always replace, even if the damage is minor.
Check the compressor oil and add if necessary.
Charge the A/C system again and recheck with the electronic leak detector. If no more leaks are detected, evacuate and charge the A/C system.
Refrigerant System Service Basics (R-1234yf)
Refrigerant Identification
Never use HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) in vehicles with other refrigerants such as R-12, R-134a, etc.
Use only equipment listed in UL and compliant with applicable SAE standards and legal regulations for recovering R-1234yf refrigerant. Do not use equipment for other refrigerants such as R-12, R-134a, etc.
Check which refrigerant is in the system if there are signs that the system has been tampered with in any way, and identify the type and control the amount of refrigerant present in the air conditioning system, and check for possible problems caused by accidental mixing of refrigerants.
It is recommended to use an SAE-approved refrigerant detection device to prevent false detection and to avoid further spreading of contaminated refrigerant, which may damage the air conditioning system and service equipment. Contaminated refrigerant (a mixture of more than one refrigerant or a refrigerant other than the one in the system) in recovery equipment may cause further contamination of additional refrigerant.
Some types of electronic leak detectors (heated diode or corona discharge), as well as motors, switches and controls on recovery equipment, may generate sparks in the presence of refrigerants that are classified as flammable (A2 or A3), and can act as an ignition source.
Mixing refrigerants in the air conditioning system can lead to higher than expected system pressure, damage to the system and components, diagnostic errors and/or other possible hazards to people and the environment.
If there is a mixture with other refrigerants, the contaminated refrigerant must be drained from the air conditioning system and disposed of in accordance with applicable national, regional and local regulations. Clean the air conditioning system with a special cleaner and charge it with new refrigerant.
REFRIGERANT DISCHARGE
Use only equipment that complies with applicable SAE standards and legal regulations to recover HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
Connect the recovery/recharging station (A), certified for R-1234yf refrigerant, to the high-pressure (B) and low-pressure (C) service couplings in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
After discharging the refrigerant, measure the amount of oil drained. Make sure the same amount of oil is added before charging the system.
EVACUATING THE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
Use only equipment that complies with applicable SAE standards and legal regulations to recover HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
When the air conditioning system has been exposed to ambient air, i.e. during installation or repair, it must be recovered using a R-1234yf refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging system. (If the system has been exposed to ambient air for several days, the receiver/drier cartridge must be replaced and the system must be evacuated for several hours.)
Connect the recovery/recharging station (A), certified for R-1234yf refrigerant, to the high-pressure (B) and low-pressure (C) service couplings in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
If the vacuum does not exceed 87.7 kPa (658 mmHg), there may be a leak in the system. Partially charge the system and check for leaks (refer to Refrigerant Leak Check).
Disconnect the low-pressure valve from the low-pressure port.
CHARGING THE SYSTEM
Use only equipment that complies with applicable SAE standards and legal regulations to recover HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) refrigerant.
In case of accidental refrigerant leakage, clean the work area before continuing. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Refer to additional safety instructions and information from refrigerant and compressor oil manufacturers regarding possible health risks.
Connect the recovery/recharging station (A), certified for R-1234yf refrigerant, to the high-pressure port (B) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Charge the air conditioning system with exactly the same amount of new refrigerant as was removed during recovery. Use only the specified refrigerant oil. Do not overfill the system with R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant, otherwise the compressor will fail.
Specified amount 450 ± 25 g (15.7 ± 0.8 oz)
REFRIGERANT LEAK TEST
Always perform a leak test using an electronic leak detector when a leak is suspected or when service work has been performed that involved removing, loosening or connecting components.
If a leak is detected, proceed as follows:
Check the tightening torque of the connection and tighten if necessary. Check for gas leaks using the leak detector (A):
If the leak persists after tightening the pipe connection, recover the refrigerant, disconnect the pipe connection and check the sealing surfaces for damage. Replace the affected components, even if the damage is minor.
Check the compressor oil and add if necessary.
Charge the A/C system again and recheck with the electronic leak detector. If no more leaks are detected, evacuate and charge the A/C system.
TEST
compressor
Check engine speed
Turn on the air conditioning.
Check the engine speed.
The following engine speed should be present when the compressor is operating.
[U2 1.6 TCI]
Position SPECIFICATIONS Idle RPM
(after warm-up)A/C OFF Idle, N or P range 850 ± 100 rpm Slow driving at level 1 900 ± 100 rpm A/C ON Idle, N or P range 850 ± 100 rpm Slow driving at level 1 900 ± 100 rpm
[Kappa 1.0 T-GDI]
Position SPECIFICATIONS Ignition Timing (°) TDC 0° ± 10° Idle Speed (rpm) A/C OFF
(Neutral, N or P range)850±100 A/C ON 850±100
[KAPPA 1.2 MPI]
Position SPECIFICATIONS ignition timing angle 6° ± 10° BTDC idle speed A/C OFF Idle, N or P range 660 ± 100 rpm D range 660 ± 100 rpm A/C ON Neutral 660 ± 100 rpm D, N, P positions 660 ± 100 rpm
[Kappa 1.4 IMB]
Position SPECIFICATIONS ignition timing angle 6° ± 10° BTDC idle speed A/C OFF Idle, N or P range 660 ± 100 rpm D range 660 ± 100 rpm A/C ON Neutral 660 ± 100 rpm D, N, P positions 660 ± 100 rpm
noise test
Turn on the air conditioning.
Check the compressor in the engine compartment.
A rattling noise is heard when the compressor operates.
Test yourself
A quick Kia Stonic quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.