Automakers strive to provide maximum comfort for the driver and passengers. It is especially important to create a cozy atmosphere in the car during extreme temperatures in winter and summer. In the first case, the classic car “stove” is used, and for the second case, air conditioning is installed in modern cars.

However, over time, the refrigerant gradually evaporates in the air-conditioning system, and the car keeps maintaining a pleasant air temperature all the worse. Some drivers go to the experts at the station, but for someone it’s easy to fill the air conditioner in the car with your own hands. For more courageous motorists will need to pre-stock equipment and consumables.

Content

• 1 The principle of operation and the device autoconditioner
• 2 Refueling equipment and consumables
• 3 Autoconditioner refueling procedure
• 4 Fight against freon leaks

The principle of operation and the device autoconditioner

The operation of this device is absolutely similar to the work of similar devices installed in the premises. Due to the circulation of freon, the air flow is cooled.

In the design of the air conditioner there are such components and units:

• compressor for refrigerant transportation;
• evaporator;
• capacitor;
• trunk wiring from tubes and connectors;
• control valve.

You need to know that the freon used in automotive air conditioners is similar to that used in refrigerators and large refrigerators. He has several varieties.

At the heart of the design is a closed loop consisting of the nodes described, and connected by highways. In one part of the wiring, a high pressure is maintained up to 6 atm, and in the second circuit it is rather low. Rotation is transmitted from the engine to the compressor, which provides the required level of pressure. When this freon is in the system in a gaseous state.

During passage through the channels, the temperature of the refrigerant rises, it moves to the condenser, where it is cooled rapidly, and a transition to the liquid occurs. Further, through the substance enters the zone of high pressure and moves to the control valve, with the help of which thermoregulation occurs. With a larger opening, it forms a large cooling area.

In addition to this task, a coolant is sprayed, in which a gas is formed from a liquid, and a sufficient amount of heat is absorbed from the outside. From the evaporator, the gaseous suspension through the low-pressure pipelines moves to the compressor, thus the cycle is closed.

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Due to its physical and chemical properties, freon perfectly copes with the task. However, it has an important drawback - considerable fluidity.

You need to know that in the year there are losses of about 15% of the total mass of freon.

This means that it is necessary to replenish the lost mass every 2-3 years. In addition to natural discharges, it can go away even through minor cracks or chips in the system.

Refueling equipment and consumables

Before you fill the air conditioner in the car with your own hands, it is worth considering that the filling material is different for cars of different year of release. This is due to the different types of systems and the working pressure in them.

Equipment and consumables for refueling

You need to know that for cars produced before 1992 it is necessary to use freon with R12 marking, and for later models the material with the index R134a is used.

Some models of cars in 1993 also preserved the “old” design. You can independently distinguish the presence of a particular type of refrigerant on a sticker or tag located under the hood, closer to the radiator. Also the connecting nipples and fixtures are different.

If such an information element is missing, then how the air conditioner is filled in the car can be obtained from the vehicle’s technical documentation.

The general refueling algorithm is similar in both systems. To perform it, you need the following equipment:

• container with freon, necessary labeling;
• metrology equipment;
• pressure reinforced flexible hoses;
• a set of fittings and adapters for connecting the system of the car with a balloon.

In specialized stores are offered as complete kits for refueling, and all separately.

Autoconditioner refueling procedure

Pre-assembled charging kit with balloon and connecting hoses. Between them there is a metal adapter with a built-in crane. The free side of the pipework is connected to the metrological equipment (pressure gauge, etc.), and from them it also comes out of a flexible reinforced tube.

Professional refueling

Pre-calibration is carried out on temperature, especially on metrological equipment. A sensor with a calibrator is mounted for this procedure. Indications on the calibrator should be at the level of the environment.

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After aligning the parameters, the connection is made to the highways of the car through the filling fitting of the system.

It is necessary to strictly observe which of the automobile fittings to join in order not to get on the high pressure mainline. To do this, choose a large diameter pipe, as it is necessary, with low pressure.

Pre-remove the protective cap, and then gently, if necessary, clean the surface of the fitting. At this site we impose a flexible hose from the tanker. The refueling procedure must always be carried out on a running motor with revolutions of about 1500 rev / min.

The air conditioner regulator in the cabin is set to maximum. We turn the container with freon upside down and gently open the valve on the adapter. At this time, the balloon will release the refrigerant. Be sure to control the pressure in the system, which should not exceed 285 kPa.

The procedure lasts until cool air enters the cabin through distribution grid cavities. Upon reaching the air temperature in 5-8We complete the process by turning the transition valve.

Check the result of refueling will be possible with the help of a viewing window installed on the filter-drier. Visible transparent liquid should be without air bubbles, which is evidence of the correctness of the process.

Fight against freon leaks

There are two most popular ways to check for leaks:

• highly specialized equipment that detects freon particles in air;
• carrying out filling with freon having a special ultraviolet dye.

The first case is unlikely to be able to carry out independently in the garage, as it requires expensive equipment.

Refuel from the cartridge

Before refueling, additional cleaning of the radiator of the air conditioner and the radiator of the cooling system is used. Their cavities are treated with specialized cleaning foam. In some cases, vacuuming is performed to get rid of unnecessary accumulated moisture in the system and air bubbles.

It is necessary to provide high-quality lubrication for the air conditioning system. This is done in two ways:

• Freon is used to refuel, containing a sufficient amount of oil in the mixture;
• independently refill the required amount of lubricant for the system.

After several independent refills, it is recommended to perform such an operation on professional equipment in service centers. There will be a qualitative diagnosis of the entire system.