Refrigerant Identification
- Do not mix HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf) in the vehicle with other refrigerant, such as R-12, R-134a and etc.
- Use only service equipment that is U.L-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE standards to recover and recycle R-1234yf from the air conditioning system. Do not use service equipment for the other refrigerant, such as R-12, R-134a and etc.
- Verify what refrigerant is in the system if there is concern that the system has been tampered with in any way and check the type and quantity of refrigerant that shall be in the A/C system and potential issues arising from accidental or intentional mixing of refrigerants.
- Using an SAE certified refrigerant identification device is recommended to prevent improper recovery and the resulting further spread of contaminated refrigerant, which could potentially damage other A/C systems and service equipment. Contaminated refrigerant (blend of more than one refrigerant or non-system refrigerant) in recovery/recycling equipment could lead to the potential contamination of more refrigerant.
- Certain types of electronic leak detection devices (heated diode or corona discharge) as well as motors, switches, and controls on recovery and recycling machines, could generate sparks that could serve as ignition sources in the presence of refrigerants classified as flammable (A2 or A3) by ASHRAE standard 34 2006.
- It is possible that the mixing of refrigerants in a A/C system can result in higher-than-expected system pressures, system and component damage, diagnostic errors and/or other potential hazards to people and environment.
- In case other refrigerant is mixed, recover the contaminated refrigerant in the A/C system and dispose it in accordance with all applicable national, regional or local regulations. Clean inside the A/C system using the specialized detergent and recharge new refrigerant.