Subaru Legacy (2005 year). Manual - part 862

AC-17

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

General Description

Refrigerant recovery system

A REFRIGERANT RECOVERY SYSTEM is used for the recovery and 
reuse of A/C system refrigerant after contaminants and moisture have 
been removed from the refrigerant.

Syringe

A graduated plastic SYRINGE will be needed to add oil back into the 
system. A syringe can be available at a pharmacy or drug store.

Vacuum pump

A VACUUM PUMP is necessary (for a good working condition), and 
may be available at either a refrigerant supplier or an automotive 
equipment supplier.

Can tap

A CAN TAP for the 397 g (14 oz.) can is available at an automotive 
equipment supplier.

ILLUSTRATION

Tools and Equipment

AC-00014

AC-00015

AC-00016

AC-00017

AC-18

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

General Description

Temperature gauge

A Pocket THERMOMETER is available at either a industrial hardware 
store or a refrigerant suppliers.

Electronic leak detector

An ELECTRONIC LEAK DETECTOR can be available at either a spe-
cialty tool supplier or an A/C equipment supplier.

Weight scale

A WEIGHT SCALE such as an electronic charging scale or a bath-
room scale with digital display will be needed, if a 13.6 kg (30 lb) refrig-
erant container is used.

ILLUSTRATION

Tools and Equipment

AC-00018

AC-00019

AC-00020

AC-19

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

Refrigerant Pressure with Manifold Gauge Set

2. Refrigerant Pressure with Manifold Gauge Set

A: PROCEDURE

1) Place the vehicle in the shade and windless condition.
2) Connect the manifold gauge set.
3) Open the front windows and close all doors.
4) Open the front hood.
5) Increase the engine to 1,500 rpm.
6) Turn on the A/C switch.
7) Turn the temperature control switch to MAX COOL.
8) Put in RECIRC position.
9) Turn the blower control switch to HI.
10) Read the gauge.

Standard:

Low pressure: 127 — 196 kPa (1.3 — 2.0 kgf/cm

2

, 18 — 28 psi)

High pressure: 1,471 — 1,667 kPa (15 — 17 kgf/cm

2

, 213 — 242 psi)

Ambient temperature: 30 — 35

°

C (86 — 95

°

F)

B: INSPECTION

Symptom

Probable cause

Repair order

High-pressure side is unusually high.

• Defective condenser fan motor
• Clogged condenser fin
• Too much refrigerant
• Air inside the system
• Defective receiver dryer

• Replace the fan motor.
• Clean the condenser fin.
• Discharge refrigerant.
• Replace the receiver dryer.
• After evacuating again, charge an 
appropriate amount of refrigerant.

High-pressure side is unusually low.

• Defective compressor
• Not enough refrigerant
• Clogged expansion valve
• Expansion valve frozen temporarily by 
moisture.

• Replace the compressor.
• Check for leaks.
• Replace the expansion valve.
• Fully evacuate the expansion valve.

Low-pressure side is unusually high.

• Defective compressor
• Defective expansion valve
• Too much refrigerant

• Replace the compressor.
• Replace the expansion valve.
• Discharge refrigerant.

Low-pressure side is unusually low.

• Not enough refrigerant
• Clogged expansion valve
• Expansion valve frozen temporarily by 
moisture.
• Saturated receiver dryer

• Check for leaks.
• Replace the expansion valve.
• Replace the receiver dryer.

AC-20

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

Refrigerant Recovery Procedure

3. Refrigerant Recovery Proce-

dure

A: PROCEDURE

CAUTION:
• During operation, be sure to wear protective
goggles and protective gloves.
• Connect the refrigerant recovery system with
the manifold gauge set to discharge the refrig-
erant from the A/C system and reuse it.
• When reusing the discharged refrigerant,
keep service cans on hand. Because the dis-
charge rate with the recovery system is approx.
90%, service cans are necessary to charge the
refrigerant.
• Follow the detailed operation procedure de-
scribed in the operation manual attached to the
refrigerant recovery system.
1) Perform the compressor oil return operation.
<Ref. to AC-25, PROCEDURE, Compressor Oil.>
2) Stop the engine.
3) Make sure the valves on low-/high-pressure
sides of manifold gauge set are fully closed.

4) Install the low-/high-pressure hoses to the ser-
vice ports on the low-/high-pressure sides of the
vehicle respectively.

5) Connect the center hose to the refrigerant recov-
ery system.
6) Follow the operation manual to activate the re-
frigerant recovery system.

(A) Low-pressure gauge (Compound pressure 

gauge)

(B) High-pressure gauge

(C) Close

AC-00021

(A)

(B)

(C)

(C)

(A) Low-pressure gauge (Compound pressure 

gauge)

(B) High-pressure gauge

(C) Close

(D) Low-pressure side service port

(E) High-pressure side service port

AC-00022

(A)

(B)

(C)

(C)

(E)

(D)