Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Jetta. Manual — part 963

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A/C refrigerant system

Safety measures

The subassemblies and lines of the air

conditioner are filled with Tetrafluoroethane
also known as refrigerant R-134a.

A label on the lock carrier in the engine

compartment indicates the refrigerant type
and capacity.

WARNING!

- Always use an Underwriter's Laboratory
(UL) approved refrigerant
recovery/recycling/recharging unit such as
Kent-Moore ACR

4

, or equivalent, whenever

discharging an R-134a A/C system

- As of January, 1992 any person who
services a motor vehicle air conditioner
MUST, by law, be properly trained and
certified and use approved refrigerant
recycling equipment. Technicians must
complete an EPA approved recycling
course to be certified

- State and Provincial governments may
have additional requirements regarding air
conditioning servicing. Always comply
with local laws

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WARNING!

- A/C system is filled with refrigerant gas
which is under pressure

- Always be careful that refrigerant does not
come in contact with your skin

- If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with
your skin or eyes:

Do not rub skin or eyes

Immediately flush with cool water for 15
minutes

Rush to a doctor or hospital

Do not attempt to treat yourself

- Work in a well air ventilated area because
refrigerant gases are heavier than air,
displace oxygen and may cause suffocation
in areas of poor air circulation, like under the
car

- Avoid breathing refrigerant vapors.
Exposure may irritate eyes, nose and throat

- Always wear hand and eye protection
(gloves and goggles) when working around
the A/C system

- Keep refrigerant containers stored below 50

C (122 F) and never drop from high places.

DO NOT warm refrigerant containers with an
open flame. If refrigerant needs to be
warmed, place bottom of tank in warm water.

- Keep refrigerant away from open flames
because poisonous gas will be produced if it
burns. Do not smoke when refrigerant gases
are present for the same reason

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WARNING!

- Electric welding near refrigerant hoses
causes R-134a to decompose from
ultraviolet light. Discharge system before
electric welding

- Pressurized R-134a refrigerant in the
presence of oxygen may form a
combustible mixture. Never introduce
compressed air into any R-134a
container (full or empty), A/C component
or piece of service equipment

- Do not expose any component of the
A/C system to high temperatures (for
example, open flames). Excessive heat
will cause a pressure increase which
could burst the system

- Do not steam clean condensers or
evaporators. Use only cold water or
compressed air

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CAUTION!

- Before working on electrical system,
obtain radio security code and
disconnect battery Ground (GND) strap

- After reconnecting battery:

1) Always reactivate and check operation
of vehicle equipment such as radio,
clock, and power windows according to
Repair Manual and/or Owner's Manual

2) Activate Readiness Code

Repair

Manual, OBD II Fuel Injection & Ignition,
Repair Group 01

- R-12 and R-134a refrigerant are NOT
compatible. Never add R-12 refrigerant to
an R-134a system or R-134a refrigerant to
an R-12 system. If the refrigerants are
mixed, total system contamination will
occur and compressor failure may result

- Refrigerant oils used for the R-134a
system and R-12 system are NOT
compatible. Use only the specified
synthetic oil (Polyalkylene Glycol/PAG)
for the R-134a refrigerant system. DO
NOT use R-12 system oil in an R-134a
system or R-134a system oil in an R-12
system. If the refrigerant oils are mixed,
system contamination will occur and
compressor failure may result

- R-134a refrigerant system oil (PAG oil)
absorbs moisture very rapidly. Moisture
combines with the refrigerant to form
acids which will damage the system. Use
only the specified oil from a sealed
container and ALWAYS reseal oil
container immediately after use. DO NOT
use oil if it has become contaminated
with moisture

A/C refrigerant system

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