Air Conditioning (A/C) System Flushing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Activation

NOTE: Use an A/C refrigerant analyzer before recovering any of the vehicle's refrigerant. Failure to do so puts the shop's bulk refrigerant at risk of contamination. If the vehicle's A/C refrigerant is contaminated, refer the customer to the service facility that carried out the last A/C service. If the customer wishes to pay the additional cost, use the A/C recovery equipment that is designated for recovering contaminated A/C refrigerant. All contaminated A/C refrigerant must be disposed of as hazardous waste. For all equipment, follow the equipment manufacturer procedures and instructions.

NOTE: Before flushing the A/C system, remove the receiver drier or receiver drier element, front Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV), rear TXV (if equipped) and hoses with mufflers. Internal plumbing of these devices makes it impossible to correctly remove any residual-flushing agent. These components are typically discarded after A/C system contamination. Hoses without mufflers can be reused unless they are clogged with foreign material. The 3.78L (1 gal) of Motorcraft ® A/C System Flushing Solvent YN-23 and FL1-A filter used in A/C Flush and Purge Machine 357-405 80001 00 are intended for use on one vehicle only. They may be used to flush both the A/C condenser core and the A/C evaporator core on an individual vehicle, but under no circumstances should they be used on more than one vehicle.

NOTE: Only the A/C Flush and Purge Machine 357-405 80001 00 and Motorcraft ® A/C Systems Flushing Solvent, is approved for use on Ford vehicles. No other flushing device or solvent is approved for flushing heat exchangers (A/C condenser, A/C evaporator). Use of any other flusher or solvent may cause damage to the A/C system and the flushing unit.

NOTE: Flush the A/C components individually, not as a whole system.

NOTE: Prior to using the A/C Flush and Purge Machine 357-00001 00 for the first time, review the operating instructions.

NOTE: Ford Motor Company has approved a procedure to provide technicians with a non-CFC method of flushing contaminated A/C system heat exchangers. The procedure allows the specific components to be cleaned and flushed. The types of contamination flushed include particle matter that results from A/C compressor or desiccant failure and gummy residue that can form when refrigerant oil is overheated during A/C compressor seizure. The flushing process is a 2-step procedure that involves using an A/C Flush and Purge Machine 357-405 80001 00 to:

circulate the flushing solvent through the heat exchanger in the reverse direction of normal refrigerant flow (back-flushing). Particulate matter picked up during flushing is filtered from the returning solvent before the solvent is returned to the reservoir for continued circulation.

remove the flushing solvent from the heat exchanger. In this step of the procedure, pressurized air 621-862 kPa (90-125 psi) is used to push and evaporate any remaining flush solvent from the heat exchanger.

1.

Recover the refrigerant. Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging .

2.

Disconnect the refrigerant lines from the heat exchanger(s) to be flushed.

3.

NOTE: Do not flush through the condenser integrated receiver drier element (if equipped), TXV (if equipped) or hoses with mufflers. Internal plumbing and material make-up of these components make it impossible to correctly remove foreign material or residual flushing solvent.

Use the correct adapters with 357-405-80001 to flush the heat exchanger. Do not flush through the condenser integrated receiver drier element (if equipped), TXV (if equipped) or hoses with mufflers. Internal plumbing and material make-up of these components make it impossible to correctly remove foreign material or residual flushing solvent.

4.

NOTE: Use 3.79 L (1 gal) of Motorcraft ® A/C System Flushing Solvent to flush the heat exchanger for a minimum of 15 minutes. The flush solvent may be used for one or both heat exchangers in the A/C system. However, the flush solvent is intended for one vehicle only. The filter used on the flushing unit is also intended for use on one vehicle only.

Flush the heat exchanger for a minimum of 15 minutes.

5.

Apply 621-862 kPa (90-125 psi) pressurized air to the component for a minimum of 30 minutes. The 30-minute purge time is required to force and evaporate all residual solvent from the A/C system component. Failure to successfully remove all residual solvent within the component can result in system damage when reconnected and operated. Dispose of the used flush solvent and filter in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

6.

Install a new TXV (if equipped) in any vehicle being serviced for an internal A/C compressor or desiccant failure. Refer to: Thermostatic Expansion Valve .

7.

Install new refrigerant hoses with mufflers if clogged with foreign material.

8.

Install a new receiver drier (if equipped) or receiver drier element/desiccant bag (if equipped) in any vehicle being serviced for an internal A/C compressor or desiccant failure. Refer to: Desiccant Bag .

9.

Reconnect the heat exchanger being serviced.

10.

If a new A/C compressor is not being installed, lubricate the refrigerant system with the correct amount of clean PAG oil. Refer to: Refrigerant Oil Adding .

11.

If a new A/C compressor is not being installed, evacuate, leak test and charge the A/C system. Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging .

12.

If a new A/C compressor is being installed, install the A/C compressor. Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS) . Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS) . Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor - 3.5L Duratec (209kW/284PS) . Refer to: Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .