3397 version 3
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Convert an automotive air conditioning system from R-12 to R-134a
Level
3
Credits
2
Purpose
This unit standard is for people in the automotive repair industry. People
credited with this unit standard are able to: evaluate condition of existing air
conditioning system on a vehicle; prepare air conditioning system for
retrofitting; convert an air conditioning system for R-134a operation; and test
R-134a air conditioning system operation.
Subfield
Motor Industry
Domain
Automotive Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Status
Registered
Status date
25 January 2008
Date version published
25 January 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Recommended: Unit 981, Install an automotive air
conditioning system, or demonstrate equivalent
knowledge and skills.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0014
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Legislation and publications relevant to this unit standard include but are not limited
to – Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996;
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practices as described in
J639 Safety Standards for Motor Vehicle Refrigerant Vapor Compressions Systems,
2005; J1660 Fittings and Labels for Retrofit of Cfc-12 (R-12) Mobile Air-Conditioning
Systems to HFC-134a (R-134a), 1998; and J1661 Procedure Retrofitting CFC-12 (R12) Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems to HFC-134a (R-134a), 1998; Motor Trade
Association (MTA) Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice; vehicle
manufacturer published retrofit procedures.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
3397 version 3
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2
Society of Automotive Engineers Standards are available online at
http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/.
MTA Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice is available from the Motor Trade
Association, PO Box 9244, Wellington, phone 04 385 8859, website
http://www.mta.org.nz/.
3
Definitions:
R-12 refers to Refrigerant 12 known as CFC 12, a chlorofluorocarbon which is a
controlled substance within the meaning of the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996. It
is used as a refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems.
R-134a refers to Refrigerant 134a known as HFC134a, a hydrofluorocarbon used as
a substitute refrigerant for automotive R-12 air conditioning systems and for
dedicated systems.
Suitable tools and equipment means industry approved tools and equipment that are
recognised within the industry as being the most suited to complete the task in a
professional and competent manner with due regard to safe working practices.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Evaluate condition of existing air conditioning system on a vehicle.
Performance criteria
1.1
Safe working practices are observed throughout the task in accordance with
legislative requirements.
Range
1.2
personal safety, safety of others, vehicle safety, workshop safety,
environmental safety, tools and equipment safety.
A visual inspection of all air conditioning components is performed as specified
by the manufacturer. Any problems are reported to the supervisor.
Range
may include but is not limited to – damage, lubricant leaks,
corrosion, suitability to be converted, condenser change.
1.3
The vehicle's air conditioning system is operated to check that the system
performs on R-12 as intended by the manufacturer. Any malfunction is reported
to the supervisor.
1.4
A leak test is performed immediately after the air conditioning system has been
operating for 10 to 15 minutes using a compatible leak detector. Any leaks
found are repaired in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
Range
leaks around – compressor, hose fittings, evaporator and
condenser.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
3397 version 3
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Element 2
Prepare air conditioning system for retrofitting.
Performance criteria
2.1
Safe working practices are observed throughout the task in accordance with
legislative requirements.
Range
personal safety, safety of others, vehicle safety, workshop safety,
environmental safety, tools and equipment safety.
2.2
Suitable tools and equipment are selected and used that enable the system to
be prepared for retrofitting.
2.3
Faults identified from a visual inspection and from an operational check are
rectified, so that the air conditioning system operates in accordance with
manufacturer specifications.
2.4
The amount of oil in the compressor is optimised by running the R-12 air
conditioning system with the blower on high speed.
2.5
All R-12 refrigerant is recovered from the vehicle's air conditioning system using
compatible refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment in accordance with
legislative requirements and Code of Practice.
2.6
The air conditioning system is evacuated to remove as much R-12 as possible
from the residue mineral oil.
Range
2.7
minimum of 30 minutes, steady vacuum of 450 microns (29 in.) Hg
(mercury) unless otherwise specified by the compressor and
vehicle manufacturer.
The mineral oil is removed from the system following compressor and vehicle
manufacturer recommendations.
Range
may include but is not limited to – removing and draining
components, flushing using the recommended flushing fluid or
system.
Element 3
Convert an air conditioning system for R-134a operation.
Performance criteria
3.1
Safe working practices are observed throughout the task in accordance with
legislative requirements.
Range
personal safety, safety of others, vehicle safety, workshop safety,
environmental safety, tools and equipment safety.
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3.2
Suitable tools and equipment are selected and used that enable R-134a
compatible components to be installed to compressor and vehicle manufacturer
specifications.
3.3
Non-compatible components are replaced following compressor and vehicle
manufacturer recommendations.
Range
may include but is not limited to – seals, O-rings (where disturbed),
desiccant, receiver-drier (accumulator-drier), compressor oil.
3.4
R-134a quick connect service ports are installed over the existing R-12 service
ports in a manner that prevents the service ports from being easily removed.
3.5
The air conditioning system is evacuated, so that no air and moisture is present
in the system, using R-134a compatible servicing equipment following the
procedure outlined in the recovery equipment instructions.
3.6
The specified amount of R-134a compatible oil (Polyalkylene Glycol [PAG oil] or
ester oil) is installed following compressor and vehicle manufacturer
recommendations and instructions.
3.7
The air conditioning system is charged with R-134a using compatible servicing
equipment, following the compressor and vehicle manufacturer guidelines in
accordance with legislative requirements and Code of Practice.
3.8
Retrofit labels are installed close to the service ports, clearly noticeable and
displaying information relating to the retrofit.
Range
3.9
name and address of company (or individual) performing retrofit
service, date service performed, type and amount of refrigerant,
type and amount of lubricant, warning to use only R-134a
refrigerant and the specified oil.
The vehicle is checked to ensure that no existing labels containing R-12
refrigerant information remain on the vehicle.
Element 4
Test R-134a air conditioning system operation.
Performance criteria
4.1
Safe working practices are observed throughout the task in accordance with
legislative requirements.
Range
4.2
personal safety, safety of others, vehicle safety, workshop safety,
environmental safety, tools and equipment safety.
Suitable tools and R-134a compatible equipment are selected and used that
enable the system to be tested to compressor and vehicle manufacturer
specifications.
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4.3
The air conditioning system is checked for leaks by the use of an R-134a leak
tester.
4.4
Any leaks located as a result of leak detection tests are sealed in accordance
with compressor and vehicle manufacturer instructions.
4.5
The air conditioning system functions within compressor and vehicle
manufacturer acceptable limits of temperatures and pressures.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016