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Perkins 4.107 4.108 4.99 Diesel Engines Workshop Service Repair Manual

1) Quick summary of the system and the goal (theory)
- Basic refrigeration cycle: compressor (raises refrigerant pressure/temperature) → condenser (rejects heat, condenses vapor to liquid) → receiver/drier or accumulator (stores liquid and removes moisture) → expansion device (TXV or orifice tube; drops pressure, produces cold evaporating refrigerant) → evaporator (absorbs cabin heat, refrigerant vaporizes) → back to compressor.
- Proper charge and no moisture/leaks are essential: correct mass of refrigerant sets pressures and refrigerant saturation temperatures; vacuuming removes air/non‑condensables and moisture which reduce heat transfer and can freeze/block expansion device or form acids that damage components.
- Correct oil distribution is required for compressor lubrication; refrigerant carries oil through the loop. Opening the system or losing charge changes oil balance and can starve the compressor.

2) Prepare and identify (do these first)
- Identify refrigerant type and system capacity from vehicle/AC data plate or manual (common options: original R‑12 on older equipment or R‑134a on retrofits). Use only the labelled refrigerant; R‑12 handling is restricted and should be done with proper certification and reclaimed refrigerant.
- Gather tools: recovery/recharge station and cylinder, manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, micron gauge (recommended), refrigerant scale, hoses with shutoffs, leak detector/UV dye and lamp (or electronic sniffer), thermometers/clamp sensor for suction line and liquid line, PPE (safety glasses, gloves).
- Safety/legal: never vent refrigerant. Use recovery equipment; if you’re not certified for regulated refrigerants, involve a certified tech.

3) Diagnose before adding refrigerant (theory + action)
- Symptom analysis and what it means:
- Low/weak cooling, low suction pressure and warm vents → low refrigerant charge or restriction in flow.
- High head pressure and warm air → overcharge, blocked condenser airflow, failing condenser fan, or non‑condensables/moisture.
- Very low head pressure and low suction pressure → compressor failure or severe restriction.
- Rapid pressure changes or oil stains → leak.
- Action: connect manifold gauges to high and low service ports and read static pressures (system off) and running pressures (engine/tractor at operating RPM, A/C on MAX). Compare pressure/temperature to expected refrigerant saturation tables and to the system label. Use temperatures at evaporator inlet/outlet to calculate superheat; use liquid-line temperature to calculate subcooling. These diagnostics show whether the system is undercharged, overcharged, or restricted.

4) Find and repair leaks (theory + action)
- Theory: leaks let refrigerant and oil escape and allow moisture/air in; oil loss can damage the compressor; moisture reacts to form acids and freezes at expansion device. Recharging without repairing leaks is temporary.
- Action sequence:
- Pressurize system with dry nitrogen to a safe pressure (per system spec) and use electronic sniffer or soap/leak detection or UV dye added previously to locate leaks. Evaporator leaks often require removing/inspecting evaporator core or cabin bulkhead. Hoses, O‑rings, compressor shaft seal, condenser, and service port valves are common leak points.
- Replace failed components (hoses, O‑rings, condenser, evaporator core, service valves). Lubricate new O‑rings with correct system oil and use correct replacement parts. Replace receiver/drier or accumulator whenever the system opened to atmosphere — the desiccant is exhausted when exposed.

5) Evacuate and test vacuum (theory + action)
- Theory: evacuation removes air/non‑condensables and moisture. Deep vacuum reduces boiling point so moisture vaporizes and is removed; residual moisture will freeze at the expansion device and block flow or generate acids that corrode components.
- Action:
- Connect vacuum pump via manifold and micron gauge. Pump down to ~500 microns (0.5 torr) if possible. If no micron gauge, pull as close to full vacuum as the pump/manifold reads (≈29 inHg) and hold.
- Hold vacuum for at least 15–30 minutes to check for leaks and for the vacuum to stabilize. If the vacuum rises, there is a leak — find and repair, then re‑evacuate. After a successful hold, leave the vacuum for another 15–30 minutes to remove moisture.

6) Charge with refrigerant by weight (theory + action)
- Theory: charging by weight to the manufacturer’s specified mass is the only accurate way to restore designed pressures, superheat and subcooling. Adding by pressure alone is inaccurate. Proper charge yields target superheat (evaporator) and subcooling (condenser) so the evaporator is nearly fully vaporized at compressor inlet without liquid carryover.
- Action:
- Use a calibrated refrigerant scale and add the specified mass of refrigerant into the low side with the compressor running at specified RPM (or manufacturer procedure). For small top‑off adjustments, measure subcooling or superheat and add/recover until in target range rather than by sight.
- If the system uses an orifice tube, aim for typical R‑134a superheat 8–12°F (4–6°C) at measured evaporator conditions; subcooling 6–12°F (3–6°C). If a TXV is present, aim for lower superheat per TXV spec (often ~6–10°F). (Use the system’s manual targets when available.)

7) Commissioning, verification and oil considerations
- Theory: final checks ensure proper heat transfer and that the compressor is lubricated. Oil lost with recovered refrigerant must be accounted for — if a major component (compressor, condenser, evaporator) was replaced, reintroduce the recommended amount and type of PAG or mineral oil as specified. Too much oil reduces heat transfer; too little damages the compressor.
- Action:
- Run the system to steady state with fans on; measure low/high pressures and temperatures. Compute superheat and subcooling from pressure‑derived saturation temps and measured line temps. Adjust charge only to get superheat/subcooling in target.
- Check compressor oil level if applicable and add per manufacturer instructions when components were replaced. Check for oil leaks.
- Road/test operation under expected load and verify vent temps and pressure behavior over a range of ambient conditions.

8) How each repair step fixes the faults (concise mapping)
- Leak repair: stops refrigerant/oil loss and ingress of moisture/air; fixes gradual loss of cooling and prevents compressor damage from oil starvation.
- Receiver/drier/accumulator replacement: removes moisture and filter contaminants; fixes freezing at expansion device, acid formation, and intermittent blockages.
- Evacuation: removes air/non‑condensables that raise head pressure and reduce cooling; removes moisture that would freeze or corrode.
- Correct refrigerant charge by weight: restores intended saturation temperatures and pressures so evaporator provides correct cooling without liquid slugging the compressor.
- Oil replenishment/balancing: restores lubrication, prevents compressor wear and seizure.
- Replacing restriction (TXV/orifice/condenser): restores correct mass flow — if restricted, evaporator starves; if stuck open, pressures are wrong; condenser issues cause high head pressures and reduced heat rejection.

9) Typical diagnostic pressure/temperature signs (quick reference)
- Undercharge: low suction pressure, low discharge pressure, warm vents. Superheat high (evaporator not fully vaporizing).
- Overcharge: high head pressure, low subcooling unusual if non‑condensables present; vents warm. Superheat low or zero.
- Non‑condensables/air in system: unusually high head pressure for ambient and compressor running; cooling poor even with “full” charge. Evacuation required.
- Moisture/contaminants: intermittent freeze at expansion device, fluctuating pressures, acid damage signs after long term.

10) Closure — practical tips (no filler)
- Always use recovery and weigh in charge. Replace the drier/accumulator after opening. Verify leaks before recharging. Use micron gauge and manifold for meaningful evacuation. Adjust by measuring superheat/subcooling, not “by feel.” Document the refrigerant mass and oil added.

That is the ordered theory-backed procedure and why each repair step fixes the faults.
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