Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual: Welding and Soldering on Refrigeration Systems

Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual / Refrrigerant R134a Servicing / A/C System, General Information / Safety Precautions / Welding and Soldering on Refrigeration Systems

Before performing welding or soldering work on vehicles near the air conditioning system components, extract the refrigerant and remove the residue by flushing with compressed air and nitrogen.

The products of refrigerant decomposition due to the effect of heat are not only toxic, but may also have a highly corrosive effect on pipes and system components. They mainly take the form of hydrogen fluoride.

Pungent Odor

A pungent odor indicates that the products of decomposition mentioned above have already formed. Avoid inhaling these substances under all circumstances, as otherwise the respiratory system, lungs and other organs could be damaged.

First Aid

Following contact with eyes or mucous membranes, immediately rinse with copious amounts of running water and consult an eye specialist.

Following contact with the skin, immediately remove affected clothing and rinse skin with copious amounts of water.

Following inhalation of highly concentrated refrigerant vapors, immediately take the affected person into the open air. Call a doctor. Administer oxygen in the event of breathing difficulties. If the affected person has difficulty breathing or cannot breathe, tip head back and perform mouth to mouth respiration.

Product Characteristics

Refrigerants used in motor vehicle air conditioning systems belong to the new generation of refrigerants based on chlorine-free, partially fluorinated hydrocarbons (H ...

Handling Pressure Vessels

Secure vessels to prevent them falling over! Secure upright cylinders to stop them falling over and cylinders lying flat to stop them rolling away. ...

Other materials:

Round Connector Systems
Note If necessary, housing securing mechanisms (secondary locks) must be released or removed using specified tool before releasing the contacts. Refer to → Chapter „Secondary Lock“. ...

ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control
Note On vehicles with ACC, the trim in the right cover section of the front bumper must not be painted if paint repairs or component replacements are performed. The ACC system is located behind this section therefore a coat of paint would ...

Flushing Circuit Block Diagrams
Note The arrows in the following illustrations show the direction of refrigerant flow while flushing. During flushing, refrigerant flows in the opposite direction than during A/C system operation, therefore the high pressure side of A/C se ...