Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual: Product Characteristics

Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual / Refrrigerant R134a Servicing / A/C System, General Information / Safety Precautions / 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-FKW, R134a).

With regard to their physical properties, these are refrigerants which have been liquefied under pressure. They are subject to the regulations governing pressure vessels and use is only to be made of approved and appropriately marked containers.

Compliance with specific conditions is required to ensure safe and proper use.

Handling Refrigerant

WARNING

There is a danger of ice-up.

The refrigerant can then escape as a fluid or vapor.

Do not open containers which store refrigerant.

If refrigerant vessels are opened, the contents may escape in liquid or vapor form. This process is intensified the higher the pressure in the vessel.

The pressure level is governed by two factors:

The type of refrigerant in the vessel. “The lower the boiling point, the higher the pressure.”

The temperature level. “The higher the temperature, the higher the pressure.”

Protective Eyewear

Put on protective goggles. They prevent refrigerant getting into the eyes, as this could cause severe injury from exposure to cold.

Protective Gloves and Clothing

Greases and oils dissolve readily in refrigerants. They would therefore destroy the protective layer of grease if allowed to come into contact with the skin. Degreased skin is however sensitive to the cold and germs.

Fluid Refrigerant and Skin Precaution

The refrigerant draws heat for evaporation from the surrounding area. Even if this is the skin. This may cause extremely low temperatures. Local frost bite may result (boiling point of R134a: -26.5 °C (-15.7 °F) at ambient pressure).

Do Not Breath In Refrigerant Vapor

Note

If highly concentrated refrigerant vapor escapes, it mixes with the surrounding air and displaces the oxygen necessary for breathing.

Smoking Hazard

A burning cigarette can cause refrigerant to decompose. The resultant substances are toxic and must not be inhaled.

Safety Precautions

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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 c ...

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