Subaru Legacy III (2000-2003 year). Manual - part 858

AC-20

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. The syringe can be found at a pharmacy or drug store.

Vacuum pump

A VACUUM PUMP (in good working condition) is necessary, and may 
be obtained from either a commercial refrigeration supply house or an 
automotive equipment supplier.

Can tap

A CAN TAP for the 397 g (14 oz) can is available from an auto supply 
store.

Tools and Equipment

Description

AC-00350

AC-00351

AC-00352

AC-00353

AC-21

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Thermometer

Pocket THERMOMETERS are available from either industrial hard-
ware store or commercial refrigeration supply houses.

Electronic leak detector

An ELECTRONIC LEAK DETECTOR can be obtained from either a 
specialty tool supply 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.

Tools and Equipment

Description

AC-00354

AC-00355

AC-00356

AC-22

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

REFRIGERANT PRESSURE WITH MANIFOLD GAUGE SET

2. Refrigerant Pressure with Manifold Gauge Set

A: OPERATION

1) Place the vehicle in the shade and draftless condition.
2) Connect the manifold gauge set.
3) Open the front windows and close all doors.
4) Open the hood.
5) Increase engine speed 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 kg/cm

2

, 18 — 28 psi)

High pressure: 1,471 — 1,667 kPa (15 — 17 kg/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 fan
• Too much refrigerant
• Air inside the system
• Defective receiver dryer

• Replace the fan motor.
• Clean the condenser fin.
• Discharge refrigerant.
• Replace the receiver dryer.

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.

Low-pressure side is unusually high.

• Defective compressor
• Defective expansion valve
• Too much refrigerant

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

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-23

HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)

REFRIGERANT RECOVERY PROCEDURE

3. Refrigerant Recovery Proce-

dure

A: OPERATION

CAUTION:
• During operation, be sure to wear safety gog-
gles 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-29, OPERATION, 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.

L: Low-pressure gauge

H: High-pressure gauge

(1) Low-pressure valve

(2) Vacuum pump valve

(3) High-pressure valve

(4) For low-pressure

(5) For vacuum pump

(6) For high-pressure

AC-00146

(2)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(3)

(3)

(2)

(1)

H

L

(1)

(1) Low service port

(2) High service port

(3) Close

AC-00147

(3)

(2)

(1)