GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text

2000 Nissan PathfinderFor - - - - -

Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLCWednesday, August 31, 2005 12:44AM

ARTICLE BEGINNING

2000-01 GENERAL SERVICING General Servicing Procedures

NOTE: For additional general serving information, see MITCHELL(R) AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING BASIC SERVICE TRAINING MANUAL or MITCHELL(R) DOMESTIC CARS, LIGHT TRUCKS & VANS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING SERVICE & REPAIR supplement.

USING R-12 & R-134a REFRIGERANT

HANDLING/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1) Always work in a well-ventilated, clean area. Avoidbreathing refrigerant vapors. Exposure may irritate eyes, nose andthroat. Refrigerant is colorless and is invisible as a gas.Refrigerant is heavier than oxygen and will displace oxygen in aconfined area. 2) The A/C system high pressure can cause severe injury toeyes and skin if a hose were to burst. Always wear eye protection,gloves and other protective clothing when working around A/C systemand refrigerant. 3) Refrigerant evaporates quickly when exposed to atmosphere,freezing anything it contacts. If liquid refrigerant contacts eyes orskin (frostbite), DO NOT rub eyes or skin. Immediately flush affectedarea with cool water for 15 minutes and consult a doctor or hospital. 4) Never use R-134a in combination with compressed air forleak testing. Pressurized R-134a in the presence of oxygen (airconcentrations greater than 60 percent by volume) may form acombustible mixture. DO NOT introduce compressed air into R-134acontainers (full or empty), A/C system components or serviceequipment. 5) DO NOT expose A/C system components to high temperatures,steam cleaning for example, as excessive heat will causerefrigerant/system pressure to increase. Never expose refrigerantdirectly to open flame. If refrigerant needs to be warmed, placebottom of refrigerant tank in warm water. Water temperature MUST NOTexceed 125øF (52øC).

CAUTION: When R-134a is exposed to an open flame, drawn into engine, or detected with a Halide (propane) leak tester, a poisonous gas is formed. Keep work areas well ventilated.

6) Use care when handling refrigerant containers. DO NOTdrop, strike, puncture or incinerate containers. Use Department OfTransportation (DOT) approved, DOT 4BW or DOT 4BA refrigerant

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

containers. 7) Never overfill refrigerant containers. The safe fillinglevel of a refrigerant container MUST NOT exceed 60 percent of thecontainer's gross weight rating. Store refrigerant containers attemperature less than 125øF (52øC). 8) R-134a refrigerant is sold and stored in 30- or 50-poundLight Blue containers, while Freon (R-12) is stored in White coloredcontainers. 9) Refrigerant R-12 and R-134a must never be mixed, as theyand their desiccants and lubricants are not compatible. Ifrefrigerants are mixed, system cross-contamination or A/C systemcomponent failure may occur. Always use separate servicing andrefrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. 10) Follow equipment manufacturer instructions of all serviceequipment to be used. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), providedby refrigerant manufacturer/suppliers, contains valuable informationregarding the safe handling of refrigerants. 11) Before connecting refrigerant lines always lubricate "O"rings with refrigerant oil. 12) Always plug or cap A/C system refrigerant lines andcomponent connections as soon as possible to protect components frommoisture and/or dust. DO NOT remove plugs or caps until ready toinstall component. 13) Always use a back-up wrench when tightening or looseningfittings.

IDENTIFYING R-134a SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS

To prevent refrigerant cross-contamination, use the followingmethods to identify R-134a based systems and components.

Fittings & "O" Rings All R-134a based A/C systems use 1/2" - 16 ACME threadedfittings (identifiable by square threads) and quick-connect servicecouplings. See Fig. 1. Besides the use of these fittings, mostmanufacturers will use Green colored "O" rings in R-134a systems.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 3)2000 Nissan PathfinderFor - - - - -Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC

Fig. 1: Identifying R-134a Fittings & Quick-Connect Service CouplingsCourtesy of Audi of America, Inc.

Underhood A/C Specification Labels Most R-134a based systems will be identified through the useof underhood labels, or with R-134a refrigerant clearly printed onlabels. See Figs. 2 and 3. Labels may be located on underside of hood,compressor, firewall and/or strut supports. The underhood label usedon Ford Motor Co. vehicles is Yellow. Before servicing an A/C system,always determine which refrigerant is being used.

Fig. 2: Underhood A/C Specification Label (Typical)Courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., U.S.A.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 4)2000 Nissan PathfinderFor - - - - -Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC

Fig. 3: A/C Specification Labels Located On Compressor (Typical)Courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., U.S.A.

Other Means Of Identification Refrigerant R-134a, when viewed through a sight glass, mayhave a "milky" appearance due to the mixture of refrigerant andlubricating oil. As the refrigerant and oil DO NOT exhibit a "clear"sight glass on a properly charged A/C system, most R-134a systems haveno sight glass.

Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen use Green bands/labels oncondenser, refrigerant lines, receiver-drier and expansion valve. OnLexus A/C systems, hoses and line connectors have a groove, a Whiteline and "R-134a" marked on them. See Fig. 4.

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Fig. 4: Identifying R-134a Hose & Line Connectors (Lexus)Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

REFRIGERANT OILS

NOTE: PAG oils absorb moisture very rapidly, 2.3-5.6 percent by weight, as compared to a mineral oil absorption rate of 0.005 percent by weight.

Use ONLY the specified oil for the appropriate system or A/Ccompressor. Always check vehicle underhood A/C specification label orA/C compressor label before adding refrigerant oil to A/Ccompressor/system. See Figs. 2 and 3. Most of the common refrigerantoils are listed below. Always use refrigerant oil specified inunderhood A/C specification label or A/C compressor label.

Acura Use DENSO ND-Oil 8 (Part No. 38897-PR7-A01).

Audi Use SP-10 PAG oil (Part No. G 052 300 A2) on Nippondensocompressors and SP-10 PAG oil (Part No. G 052 154 A2) on Zexelcompressors.

Honda On Harrison HD6/HT6 compressor, use PAG oil specified onunderhood A/C specification label or A/C compressor label. On Keihincompressor, use SP-10 Oil (Part No. 38897-P13-A01AH). On Nippondensocompressor, use DENSO ND-Oil 8 (Part No. 38897-PR7-A01AH or 38899-PR7-A01). On Zexel DKV-14D compressor, use AIPDN Oil (Part No. 2-90188-301-0).

Hyundai

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Use Daphne Hermetic FD46XG PAG oil.

Infiniti & Nissan Use Type "F" Refrigerant Oil (Part No. KLH00-PAGQU) on Fordcompressors. Use Type "R" Refrigerant Oil (Part No. KLH00-PAGR0) withZexel rotary vane compressors. Use Type "S" Refrigerant Oil (Part No.KLH00-PAGS0) with Calsonic V6 compressors.

Isuzu On Harrison compressors use PAG oil specified on underhoodA/C specification label or A/C compressor label. On Nippondensocompressor, use DENSO ND-Oil 8 (Part No. 38897-PR7-A01AH). On ZexelDKS-17CH compressor, use PAG Oil (Part No. 2-90188-300-0). On ZexelDKV-14D compressor, use AIPDN Oil (Part No. 2-90188-301-0).

Jaguar Use specified PAG refrigerant oil. See underhood A/Cspecification label and/or A/C compressor label. On S-Type use PAG(WSH-MIC231-B) refrigerant oil.

Kia On Sportage, use ZXL 200 PG PAG oil. For other Kia models,check underhood A/C specification label and/or A/C compressor label.

NOTE: Kia Optima, although not specified by manufacturer, may use a Halla compressor and Daphne Hermetic FD46XG PAG oil.

Land Rover Use ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil. Check underhood A/Cspecification label and/or A/C compressor label.

Lexus & Toyota Use Denso/ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil (Part No. 38899-PR7-003 or08885-09109). Check underhood A/C specification label and/or A/Ccompressor label.

Mazda Use ATMOS GU-10, DENSO/ND-Oil 8, DENSO Oil 9, SP-10 or SP-20PAG refrigerant oil. Use SUN ISCO 5GS on Ford FS-10 compressors. Checkunderhood A/C specification label and/or A/C compressor label.

Mercedes-Benz Use PAG oil (Part No. 001 989 08 03). Check underhood A/Cspecification label and/or A/C compressor label.

Mitsubishi Use DENSO/ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil on Nippondensocompressors. Use SUN PAG 56 refrigerant oil on Sanden compressors.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

Porsche Use ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil. Check underhood A/Cspecification label and/or A/C compressor label.

Saab Use DENSO/ND-Oil 8 refrigerant oil on Nippondensocompressors. Use PAG Oil ISO 46 (Part No. 16-47 59 106) refrigerantoil on Sanden compressors. Check underhood A/C specification labeland/or A/C compressor label.

Subaru Use ZXL200PG (DH-PR) type "R" (Part No. K0010FS100)refrigerant oil. Check underhood A/C specification label and/or A/Ccompressor label.

Suzuki Use PAG oil. Check underhood A/C specification label and/orA/C compressor label.

Volkswagen On Nippondenso compressors, use PAG Oil (Part No. G052 300A2). On Sanden compressors, use SP-10 PAG Oil (Part No. G052 154 A2).On Zexel compressors, use PAG Oil (Part No. G052 154 A2 or G052 200A2).

Volvo Use PAG Oil (Part No. 11 61 407-0) on Zexel compressors.Check underhood A/C specification label and/or A/C compressor label.

SERVICE EQUIPMENT

A/C systems using R-134a refrigerant and PAG lubricantscannot use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil lubricants. R-134arefrigerant is NOT compatible or interchangeable with R-12refrigerant. Separate sets of hoses, manifold gauge sets andrecovery/recycling equipment are required to service the differentsystems. This is necessary to avoid cross-contaminating and damagingA/C system. A single set of A/C service equipment cannot be cleanedthoroughly enough to be used with both types of refrigerant.

All equipment used to service A/C systems using R-134a mustbe U.L. listed and certified to meet SAE standard J2210. The servicehoses on the manifold gauge set must have manual (turn wheel) orautomatic backflow valves at the service port connector ends. Thiswill prevent refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere.

For identification purposes, R-134a service hoses must have a

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

Black stripe along its length and be clearly labeled SAE J2196/R-134a.The low pressure test hose is Blue with a Black stripe. The highpressure test hose is Red with a Black stripe, and the center testhose is Yellow with a Black stripe.

R-134a manifold gauge sets can be identified by one or all ofthe following: Labeled FOR USE WITH R-134a on set, labeled HFC-134a orR-134a on gauge face, or by a Light Blue color on gauge face. Inaddition, pressure/temperature scales on R-134a gauge sets aredifferent from R-12 manifold gauge sets.

SYSTEM SERVICE VALVES

SCHRADER-TYPE VALVES

NOTE: Although similar in construction and operation to a tire valve, NEVER replace a Schrader-type valve with a tire valve.

Schrader valve is similar in construction and operation to atire valve. When a test gauge hose with built-in valve core depressoris attached, Schrader stem is pushed inward to the open position andallows system pressure to reach gauge.

If test hose does not have a built-in core depressor, anadapter must be used. Never attach hose or adapter to Schrader valveunless it is first connected to manifold gauge set.

Refrigerant R-12 Schrader-type valve cores have TV5 threadsize. Refrigerant R-134a Schrader-type valve cores use M6 (Metric)threads. See Fig. 1.

SERVICE VALVE LOCATIONS

SERVICE VALVE LOCATIONSÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄVehicle High Low

Acura Integra ........................................... (1) ... (2) MDX ............................................... (8) ... (9) 3.2CL ............................................. (1) ... (4) 3.2TL ............................................. (1) ... (4) 3.5RL ............................................. (6) ... (4)Audi Except TT ......................................... (7) ... (7) TT ................................................ (8) ... (9)Honda

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 9)2000 Nissan PathfinderFor - - - - -Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC

Accord ............................................ (1) ... (4) Civic ............................................. (10) .. (10) CR-V .............................................. (11) .. (9) Insight ........................................... (8) ... (9) Odyssey ........................................... (10) .. (10) Passport .......................................... (13) .. (14) Prelude ........................................... (1) ... (2) S2000 ............................................. (1) ... (9)Hyundai Accent ............................................ (8) ... (5) Elantra ........................................... (8) ... (9) Santa Fe .......................................... (8) ... (9) Sonata ............................................ (8) ... (9) Tiburon ........................................... (8) ... (9) XG300 ............................................. (8) ... (9)Infiniti ............................................ (15) .. (4)Isuzu Amigo & Rodeo ..................................... (13) .. (14) Hombre ............................................ (3) ... (4) Trooper ........................................... (3) ... (4) Vehi-CROSS ........................................ (12) .. (14)Jaguar .............................................. (6) ... (4)Kia ................................................. (3) ... (4)Land Rover Discovery ......................................... (3) ... (4) Range Rover ....................................... (8) ... (4)Lexus ES 300, GS 300, GS 400, GS 430, IS 300, SC 300 & SC 400 ........................................... (17) .. (4) LS 400 & LS 430 ................................... (6) ... (4) LX 470 ............................................ (8) ... (9) RX 300 ............................................ (17) .. (9)Mazda B2300, B2500, B3000 & B4000 ....................... (15) .. (6) Millenia .......................................... (15) .. (4) MPV ............................................... (15) .. (9) MX-5 Miata ........................................ (8) ... (4) Protege ........................................... (3) ... (4) Tribute ........................................... (15) .. (18) 626 ............................................... (16) .. (4)Mercedes-Benz ....................................... (17) .. (6)Mitsubishi Diamante .......................................... (8) ... (9) Eclipse ........................................... (8) ... (9) Galant ............................................ (8) ... (9) Mirage ............................................ (8) ... (9) Montero & Montero Sport 2000 Models ..................................... (11) .. (6)

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

2001 Models ..................................... (8) ... (9)Nissan Altima ............................................ (3) ... (4) Frontier & Xterra ................................. (15) .. (4) Maxima ............................................ (15) .. (4) Pathfinder ........................................ (15) .. (4) Quest ............................................. (12) .. (18) Sentra ............................................ (8) ... (9)Porsche Boxster ........................................... (8) ... (9) 911 ............................................... (8) ... (9)Saab ................................................ (6) ... (2)Subaru .............................................. (19) .. (19)Suzuki Esteem ............................................ (15) .. (4) Vitara & Grand Vitara ............................. (6) ... (2) Swift ............................................. (3) ... (4)Toyota Avalon ............................................ (1) ... (4) Camry, Camry Solara & Celica ...................... (17) .. (4) Corolla ........................................... (15) .. (4) ECHO .............................................. (8) ... (9) Highlander ........................................ (8) ... (9) Land Cruiser ...................................... (10) .. (4) MR2 ............................................... (8) ... (9) Prius ............................................. (8) ... (9) RAV4 .............................................. (8) ... (14) Sequoia ........................................... (17) .. (14) Sienna ............................................ (6) ... (2) Tacoma ............................................ (7) ... (7) Tundra ............................................ (17) .. (14) 4Runner ........................................... (17) .. (7)Volkswagen Beetle ............................................ (8) ... (9) Cabrio, Golf, GTI & Jetta ......................... (1) ... (9) EuroVan ........................................... (8) ... (9) Passat ............................................ (8) ... (9)Volvo ............................................... (8) ... (9)

(1) - On high pressure line, near receiver-drier.(2) - On low pressure line, near top of condenser.(3) - On high pressure line, between accumulator/receiver-drier and evaporator.(4) - On low pressure line, between evaporator and compressor.(5) - On low pressure line, on or near compressor.(6) - On top of accumulator/receiver-drier.(7) - On thin evaporator inlet (high pressure) line or thick outlet (low pressure) line.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 11)

(8) - On high pressure hose/line. For Volvo, see Fig. 7.(9) - On low pressure hose/line. For Toyota MR2, see Fig. 6.(10) - On top of condenser, on right side.(11) - On high pressure outlet at compressor. For Honda CRV, see Fig. 5(12) - On high pressure (thin) line, at rear of engine compartment.(13) - On high pressure outlet at compressor.(14) - On low pressure (thick) line, at rear of engine compartment.(15) - On high pressure line, between compressor and condenser.(16) - On high pressure hose/line between condenser and evaporator.(17) - In front/back of condenser.(18) - On low pressure line, between accumulator and compressor.(19) - On high and low pressure lines, near compressor.ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

Fig. 5: Locating A/C System Components (Honda CR-V)Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 12)2000 Nissan PathfinderFor - - - - -Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC

Fig. 6: Locating Service Valves (Toyota MR2)Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Fig. 7: Locating Service Valves (Volvo S60 & S80 Shown; OtherModels Similar)Courtesy of Volvo Cars of North America.

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURESArticle Text (p. 13)

REFRIGERANT RECOVERY/RECYCLING

Refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment is used to removerefrigerant from vehicle's A/C system without polluting atmosphere. Toremove and recycle refrigerant, connect the recovery/recyclingequipment and following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Removed refrigerant is filtered, dried and stored in a tankwithin the recovery/recycling equipment until it is ready to be pumpedback into vehicle A/C system. With refrigerant stored in therecovery/recycling equipment, A/C system can be opened withoutpolluting atmosphere.

NOTE: Separate sets of hoses, gauges and refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment MUST be used for R-12 and R-134a based systems. DO NOT mix R-12 and R-134a refrigerants, as their refrigerant oils and desiccants are not compatible. It is NOT possible to clean equipment thoroughly enough to prevent cross-contamination of A/C systems. On systems with R-134a refrigerant, use Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) wax-free refrigerant oil.

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