Here are some helpful tips on diagnosing your a/c problem.

Identify

Use of a refrigerant identifier should be the first step in any A/C

service. As the price of R12 continues to rise, the number and

popularity of both legal and illegal refrigerants is on the increase.

To protect the technician from illegal refrigerants, some of which

are hydrocarbon based, and to protect the shop's investment in a

refrigerant recovery unit, it is highly recommended that a technician

use an identifier prior to servicing the A/C system.

Refrigerant recovery/recycling units are designed to meet SAE

standards for recycling R12 and R134a only and therefore most

equipment manufacturers do not warranty their recovery/recycling

equipment if other refrigerants are detected.

Inspect

Often overlooked by an eager technician looking to get through a

service as quick as possible is the basic visual inspection. You

can see signs of most leaks if you look carefully. Refrigerant oil

leaks out with the refrigerant and creates a film that collects dust

and leaves a build up of dirt. A quick visual check of the A/C and

coolant systems could result in an immediate diagnosis.

Diagnose

Diagnosing A/C system performance can be the most difficult

and time-consuming part of any A/C repair. But, the proper

tools and processes can save time and reduce complexity. A seasoned

technician may even be able to do the job using just a

thermometer to measure vent temperatures and temperature

drops across components. (In California, the thermometer must

be able to read air temperatures from 20°F to 100°F.) Also available

for diagnosing A/C systems is a manifold gauge set which

reads system pressures. Recently, a few manufacturers have

developed test/measurement devices that make diagnosis even

faster and simpler by connecting directly to the A/C system to

do the analysis.

Service

This involves a Recovery, Recycle,

Evacuation, and Recharge process

using an approved piece of equipment.

All refrigerants removed

MUST be recovered and not vented.

Section 609 of the Federal Clean

Air Act requires use of a recovery

unit—even by those shops just

doing “top offs”—and all R12 and

R134a recovery-only or recovery/

recycling equipment MUST meet

EPA (SAE) standards. They must

also carry a certification stamp

from either UL or ETL.

Repair

There are many tools and types of

equipment—such as A/C line disconnect

tools, clutch and compressor

kits, vacuum pumps and refrigerant

scales—that can help speed up

repairs. Although not mandated by

law, experience has shown that such

tools make a real difference in both

the speed and quality of the repair.

Verify

The last task of any job is to confirm

that it has been done right.

Verify performance and inspect for

system leaks. Verification can be

easily performed with an electronic

or ultraviolet leak detector.

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