Handling of Refrigerant Lines and Fittings

Pipe and Hose Connections Torque:

Seal Material and Size Chart:

HANDLING OF REFRIGERANT LINES AND FITTINGS

Tighten tubing connections to the specified torque (see accompanying figures). Insufficient or excessive torque causes loose joints or deformed joint parts. Either condition can cause refrigerant leakage.

- All metal tubing lines should be free of dents or kinks to prevent loss of system capacity due to line restriction.

- Never bend a flexible hose line to a radius of less than 4 times the diameter of the hose.

- Never place a flexible hose line closer than 65 mm (2 1/5-inch) to the exhaust manifold.

- Inspect flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness, and replace if necessary.

- When disconnecting any fitting in the refrigeration system discharge the system. However proceed with caution. Open slowly. Keep face and hands away to prevent injury if there is liquid Refrigerant-12 in the line. Allow any pressure to bleed off as described under "Discharging, Evacuating, Adding Oil and Charging Procedures."

- Cap or tape any line open to atmosphere to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the system.

- Use proper wrenches when making connections on seal (O-ring) fittings. Use two wrenches to prevent distorting the lines or components.

- When connecting the flexible hose connections, hold the swaged fitting, the flare nut and the coupling at the same time using three different wrenches to prevent turning the fitting and damaging the ground seat.

- Use seals (O-rings) in good condition. A burr or piece of dirt may cause a leak.


- Replace the seal when a connection has been broken. When replacing the seal first dip it in clean 525 viscosity refrigeration oil. Refer to accompanying figure for fitting type and correct seal.

- When making steel to aluminum connections, use torque for aluminum tubing (refer to accompanying figures).