Safety Precautions: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mitsubishi Galant. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Wear safety goggles and gloves when servicing the refrigeration system to prevent severe damage to eyes and hands.

Because R-134a refrigerant is a hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) which contains hydrogen atoms in place of chlorine atoms, it will not cause damage to the ozone layer.

Ozone filters out harmful radiation from the sun. To assist in protecting the ozone layer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation recommends an R-134a refrigerant recycling device.

Refrigerant R-134a is transparent and colorless in both the liquid and vapor state. Since it has a boiling point of -29.8°C (-21.64°F) at atmospheric pressure, it will be a vapor at all normal temperatures and pressures. The vapor is heavier than air, non-flammable, and non-explosive. The following precautions must be observed when handling R-134a.

WARNING: Do not heat R-134a above 40°C (104.0°F) or it may catch fire and explode.

R-134a evaporates so rapidly at normal atmospheric pressures and temperatures that it tends to freeze anything it contacts. For this reason, extreme care must be taken to prevent any liquid refrigerant from contacting the skin and especially the eyes. Always wear safety goggles when servicing the refrigeration part of the A/C system. Keep a bottle of sterile mineral oil handy when working on the refrigeration system.

If any liquid refrigerant gets into your eyes, use a few drops of mineral oil to wash them out. R-134a is rapidly absorbed by the oil.
Next, splash your eyes with plenty of cold water.
Call your doctor immediately even if irritation has ceased.

CAUTION: Keep R-134a containers upright when charging the system.

In most instances, moderate heat is required to bring the pressure of the refrigerant in its container above the pressure of the system when charging or adding refrigerant.

A bucket or large pan of hot water not over 40°C (104.0°F) is all the heat required for this purpose. Do not heat the refrigerant container with a blow torch or any other means that would raise temperature and pressure above this temperature. Do not weld or steam-clean on or near the system components or refrigerant lines.

WARNING: A leak detector for R-134a should be used to check for refrigerant gas leaks.

CAUTION: Do not allow liquid refrigerant to touch bright metal or it will be stained.

When metering R-134a into the refrigeration system, keep the supply tank or cans in an upright position. If the refrigerant container is on its side or upside down, liquid refrigerant will enter the system and damage the compressor.

Refrigerant will tarnish bright metal and chrome surfaces, and in combination with moisture can severely corrode all metal surfaces.