When Do You Flush The A/C System; Examples Of System Contamination - TEXA ACKF01 Manual Del Usuario

5.3

When do you flush the A/C system?

There are many reasons which would justify to flush the A/C system. However the summary of
the key priorities is the following:
When dirt or other contamination are present in the A/C circuits.
When a system leakage, may have generated the presence of humidity.
When the refrigerant circuits have been left open for a long time. (i.e. after an
accident)
When the system contains moisture, due to incorrect servicing or saturated filter drier.
When there is a doubt about the amount of lubricant and UV additive present in the
system.
When the compressor has to be replaced due to internal damages.
When the vehicle manufacturer prescribes to do it.
5.4

Examples of system contamination

Typically, A/C system contamination is in the form of dark oil, foreign materials or debris
including metal filings, aluminium corrosion (usually in the form of a white powder) or pieces
of compressor piston ring material or o-rings. Any particles found in the system or on the
orifice tube inlet screen is considered contamination and the system should be
flushed.
Dark lubricant: Is usually a sign of compressor piston ring failure. Premature wear on
compressor piston rings which are typically black Teflon, causes the system oil turn black.
Metal particles: Is a sign of compressor wear.
Black particles: Is a indicating that piston rings start to wear excessively, leaving small black
particles on the inlet of the orifice tube.
White powder: Is a sign of aluminium corrosion. The A/C system is suffering from extreme moisture contamination. Moisture mixed with refrigerant, forms harmful acids which will
corrode aluminium components. In this situation look for leaks at heat exchangers (condenser
and evaporator) as they are the thinnest metal components and usually the first to leak.
Rubber particles: Is a sign of serious contamination and improper servicing of the A/C
system. O-Rings can easily deteriorate and fall apart when non approved additives, solvents or
chemical sealers are used in system.
Clean
system-oil
ACKF01_GB_00
Contaminated
system-oil
TEXA S.p.A.
Contamination
deposit in system-oil
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