ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional

ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional

ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional

Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With nearly 400,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified professionals can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets.

Certification Benefits Motorists

ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Prior to taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers, and to their customers. Moreover, shop owners and managers who encourage their employees to become certified can be counted on to be concerned about the other aspects of their business.

How Certification Works

About 100,000 technicians sit for ASE tests each May and November at over 750 locations. Technicians who pass at least one exam and fulfill the two-year work experience requirement become ASE-certified. Those who pass a battery of exams (and fulfill the experience requirement) earn Master Technician status.

The tests, developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE's own in-house pros, are administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams.

There are specialty exams covering all major areas of repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Brakes, Heating and Air Conditioning, Suspension and Steering, Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Automatic Transmissions. (There are also exams for collision repair technicians, engine machinists, parts specialists, and others.)

ASE requires technicians to re-test every five years to keep up with technology and to remain certified. All ASE credentials have expiration dates.

Finding ASE-Certified Technicians

Repair establishments with at least one ASE technician are permitted to display the ASE sign. Each ASE professional is issued personalized credentials listing his or her exact area(s) of certification and an appropriate shoulder insignia. Technicians are also issued certificates that employers often post in the customer-service area. Employers often display the blue and white ASE sign as well. Businesses with a high level of commitment to ASE (75 percent of service personnel certified) are entitled to a special "Blue Seal of Excellence" recognition from ASE.

Choosing the Right Technician

As with other professionals, automotive technicians often specialize. So it's wise to ask the shop owner or service manager for a technician who is certified in the appropriate area, say, brakes, engine repair, or air conditioning.

Choosing a Repair Shop Checklist

Here are some tips from the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on finding a good repair establishment:

• Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
• Ask friends and associates for recommendations; consult local consumer organizations.
• Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
• Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
• Look for a courteous staff, with a service writer willing to answer all of your questions.
• Look for policies regarding labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, acceptable methods of payment, etc.
• Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.
• Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community, or customer service awards.
• Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification by ASE.
• Reward good service with repeat business and customer loyalty.

For ASE’s Glove Box Tips, click here.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

Springtime Auto Tips

Springtime Auto Tips

Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash-n-wax on a warm Saturday afternoon is liberating. Winter's gloom (to say nothing of grit and road salt) is literally washed away. Take out the snow shovel, the gloves, and heavy boots and store them 'til next season. Surely summer can't be far away.

Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision then now. ASE offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer.

• Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules.
• Have hard starts, rough idling, stalling, etc. corrected before hot weather sets in.
• Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
• If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ ASE-certified automotive technicians.
• The tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician.
• Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician to reduce the likelihood of more costly repairs.
• Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.)
• Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended.
• Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs.
• Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to combat summer's dust and insects.

For ASE’s Glove Box Tips, click here.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

Ten Tips for SUV Owners

Ten Tips for SUV Owners

It's a rare motorist who doesn't have strong feelings about today's sport utility vehicles. Love 'em or hate 'em, one thing is certain-just like their automobile cousins, SUVs last longer, operate more efficiently, and command a higher resale value when they are properly maintained and serviced.

For those too busy or too overwhelmed by modern vehicles to perform their own maintenance, the pros at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offer some advice on choosing a repair establishment:

• Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
• Ask friends and associates for recommendations; consult local consumer organizations.
• Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
• Look for a neat, well organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
• Look for a courteous staff, with a service writer willing to answer all of your questions.
• Look for posted policies regarding labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, acceptable methods of payment, etc.
• Ask if the repair facility usually handles your type of repair work.
• Start off with a minor job and progress to more complex work if you are pleased with the establishment.
• Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community, or customer service awards.
• Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification of the technicians by ASE.

For ASE’s Glove Box Tips, click here.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

Auto Service Goes High-Tech

Auto Service Goes High-Tech

Increasingly, automotive repair and service is becoming a high-tech profession, note officials with the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Old images die hard, but yesterday's mechanics have become today's technicians, complete with hand-held computer diagnostic tools and a wall full of credentials attesting to their abilities.

In a recent poll of ASE-certified automotive technicians, over four-fifths said they used a computer on the job, more than two-thirds said they owned a computer at home, and over half said they had access to the Internet.

"The profession is being revolutionized," notes ASE President Tim Zilke. "Brute force has been supplanted by brain power. If you don't think so, just look under the hood of one of today's sport coupes or SUVs. This is rocket science-or very close to it. Today's auto technicians need to be master diagnosticians, well versed in electronics, and have smooth customer service skills." Auto technicians face components and repairs virtually unheard of a generation ago: on-board computers, electronic fuel injection, and antilock brakes, to name but a few advances.

Fortunately, the requirements on motorists are much less. According to ASE, a major component of satisfactory auto repair is good communication between shop and customer.

ASE suggests that consumers read their owner's manual to become familiar with the basic systems and the service intervals. Once at the repair establishment, be prepared to describe the symptoms; but do not suggest a specific course of repair. Do not be embarrassed to ask questions or definitions of technical terms. Don't expect an on-the-spot diagnosis, but ask to be apprised of the problem, course of action, and costs before work begins. And, be sure you understand policies regarding diagnostic fees, labor rates, return of old parts, and guarantees, ASE advises.

For ASE’ Glove Box Tips, click here.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

Don't Scrimp on Vehicle Maintenance

Don't Scrimp on Vehicle Maintenance

Technician certification organization ASE surveys show a well-maintained vehicle not only lasts longer, it retains more of its resale value.

With a sluggish economic recovery and today’s consumers watching their finances carefully, it’s no surprise that the average age of vehicles in the United States is more than 11 years old, according to automotive research firm R.L. Polk and Co. With motorists holding on to their vehicles longer than ever before, maintenance takes an even greater importance in keeping roads — and people — safe.

The cost of neglect

“It’s tempting to avoid car maintenance in tough economic times, but that’s not a financially sound method to manage the big investment you’ve made in your vehicle,” notes Tony Molla, vice president of communications for the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). “Surveys of our certified technicians show that a well-maintained vehicle lasts longer, retains more of its resale value, pollutes less, and gets better mileage than one that’s been neglected — to say nothing of being safer to operate.”

According to the pros at ASE, neglect causes components to wear out faster than they would otherwise (poorly aligned tires, for example) and can result in minor problems growing into more expensive repairs (worn brake pads will eventually damage the more expensive rotors). ASE suggests motorists, whether they are do-it-yourselfers or take their cars to ASE-certified technicians, become familiar with their owner’s manual and follow the service schedules. “The owner’s manual is under-utilized; it summarizes systems to check and provides schedules based on normal or severe driving,” notes Molla.

While some people might relish a weekend tinkering with the family car, today’s technological advances under the hood and busier lifestyles find more consumers in search of dependable, trustworthy automotive service and repair.

Finding a good mechanic

Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to a national program conducted by ASE.

ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With more than 360,000 currently certified professionals working in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges across the United States, ASE’s national certification program has industry-wide acceptance and recognition.

ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not the repair facilities. Before taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers, and to their customers.

What’s more, because this program is voluntary, ASE certification becomes a self-selecting credential. And while ASE does not certify repair shops or monitor business practices, it stands to reason that those shop owners and managers who support their employees’ efforts to become ASE-certified often will be just as proactively involved in the other aspects of their businesses as well.

How certification works

More than 40 certification tests in all areas of vehicle service and repair are offered eight months out of the year at secure computer centers. Technicians who pass at least one exam and fulfill the two-year work experience requirement earn the “ASE-certified” designation. Those who pass a battery of exams, as well as fulfill the experience requirement, earn “Master Technician” status. In addition, all ASE credentials have expiration dates. ASE requires technicians to retest every five years to demonstrate their commitment to continuing education and stay abreast of changing technologies.

The tests are developed and regularly updated by industry experts with oversight from ASE’s own in-house pros. They are administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams.

There are specialty exams covering all major areas of repair. There are nine tests for auto technicians alone: Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Light Vehicle Diesel Engines, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Brakes, Heating and Air Conditioning, Suspension and Steering, Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Automatic Transmissions. There are also exams for collision repair technicians, engine machinists, parts specialists, bus techs and others.

Finding ASE-Certified Technicians

Repair establishments with at least one ASE-certified technician are permitted to display the blue and white ASE sign. Each ASE professional is issued personalized credentials listing his or her exact area(s) of certification and an appropriate shoulder insignia or lapel pin. Technicians are also issued certificates that employers often post in the customer-service areas of their businesses. Businesses with a high level of commitment to ASE are entitled to a special "Blue Seal of Excellence" recognition from ASE.

As with other professionals, automotive technicians often specialize, so it’s wise to ask the shop owner or service manager for a technician who is certified in the appropriate area, such as brakes, engine repair, or air conditioning.

Visit www.ase.com for more information about ASE-certification, plus seasonal car care tips.

Galaxy Note 4 How-To Guides

Galaxy Note 4 How-To Guides

Learn how to use Galaxy Note 4, detailed how-to guides
"Galaxy Note 4 is surely one of the best Android smartphones in 2014. As other Samsung smartphones, Galaxy Note 4 is packed with tons of features that you cannot find in other Android phones.
The unique S Pen (stylus) has many great features that you probably are not aware of.
So, this Galaxy Note 4 how-to guides page is created to help Galaxy Note 4 owners.
We try to keep all Galaxy Note 4 how-to guides in detail so that anyone can easily follow them."


If you are looking for the official Galaxy Note 4 user manual, you may download the PDF manual in your language here.

1. How to turn off or turn on the touch light for the two capacitive buttons  (return and recent) on Galaxy Note 4?
2. How to take screenshot on Galaxy Note 4?
3. How to access the hardware menu button (as in Galaxy Note 3) on Galaxy Note 4?
4. How to turn off Flipboard briefing on Galaxy Note 4 home screen?
5. How to create app folders on Galaxy Note 4 home screen and app drawer to organize apps?
6. How to add widgets to Galaxy Note 4 home screen?
7. How to use download booster on Galaxy Note 4?
8. How to use fingerprint scanner on Galaxy Note 4?
9. How to use Galaxy Note 4 side key panel?
10. Meaning of Galaxy Note 4 status icons and notification icons
11. How to customize Galaxy Note 4 ringtones?
12. How to customize Galaxy Note 4 notification tones?
13. How to silence Galaxy Note 4?
14. How to create own vibration patterns on Galaxy Note 4?
15. How to install S Note idea sketch and easy chart on Galaxy Note 4?
16. How to enable and access Galaxy Note 4 air command?
17. How to use Samsung keyboard on Galaxy Note 4?
18. Galaxy Note 4 S View Flip Cover Guide?

How to turn off/on the touch key light (return and recent) on Galaxy Note 4?

 How to turn off/on the touch key light (return and recent) on Galaxy Note 4?

You can turn on/off touch key light on Galaxy Note 4

Similar to all previous Galaxy Note and Galaxy S phones, Galaxy Note 4 has 2 capacitive touch keys in each side of the home button.

The touch key in the right side of the home button is a return key or back key. The left one is called recent apps key showing the recently opened apps.

By default, when you touch either of the two touch keys, both of them will be illuminated. This can be embarrassing when you try to reply an urgent message in a  cinema.

In daytime, you seldom need the light to guide you.

Of course, lighting the touch keys may consume considerable battery  and therefore it may drain your battery noticeably if the duration of  illumination is too long.

In Galaxy Note 4, you now can turn on and turn off the touch key light to save battery.

This guide will show you how to turn on/off the touch key light, how to set the duration of the lighting, and how to access the new touch key light settings in Galaxy Note 4

How to turn on/off touch key light on Galaxy Note 4?

In Galaxy Note 4, the switch for turning on/off the touch key light and the settings for the duration is under Settings—Display and Wallpaper.

You can go to Settings, tap Display and wallpaper.

Tap Touch key light duration.  Then you have 4 options (same as other Galaxy devices):

1. 1.5 seconds.  This means touch key light is on and the light goes off after 1.5 seconds.  This is the default setting.
2. 6 seconds.
3. Always off. This option essentially turn off touch key light. The touch key will never be illuminated. This setting will not be overwritten by any other settings.
4. Always on.  This option turns on the touch key light permanently.  It is NOT recommended for most owners.

I  didn’t turn off the touch key light, but neither of the keys are illuminated on Galaxy Note 4. Why?

Among the 4 options mentioned above, in the old Galaxy devices, none of them can be overwritten by other settings.

In Galaxy Note 4, however,  options 1,2 and 4 can be overwritten by power saving mode.

So, this explains why your touch key light is off even your setting is on.

You can tune this settings at Settings–Power saving.

In Power saving page, tap Power saving mode.

Tap Restrict performance.

Now you can un-check Turn off touch key light (it is checked by default). This will turn on touch key light when power saving mode is enabled.

Of course, you can turn off restrict performance totally.

 

Troubleshoot Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning Repairs And Services

A/C COOLING PROBLEM?

The most likely cause of an automotive air conditioner cooling problem is no refrigerant in the system. If the refrigerant has escaped past a leaky compressor or O-ring seal, leaked out of a pinhole in the evaporator or condenser, or seeped out through a leaky hose, the leak needs to be identified and repaired before the system is recharged.

On many systems, the compressor will not turn on if the refrigerant is low because the "low pressure safety switch" prevents the compressor clutch from engaging if system pressure is low. This protects the compressor from possible damage caused by a lack of lubrication.

One of the first things you should check, therefore, is compressor engagement. If the compressors magnetic clutch is not engaging when the A/C is turned on, the problem may be a blown fuse or a wiring problem. If the fuse is blown, replacing it may restore cooling temporarily. But the underlying reason for the fuse blowing in the first place needs to be identified and corrected to prevent the same thing from happening again.

If the magnetic clutch is receiving voltage but is not engaging the compressor, the clutch is defective and needs to be replaced. If there is any evidence of leakage around the compressor shaft seal, the seal should also be replaced.

If the clutch works but fails to turn the compressor (the belt may squeal in protest!), the compressor has seized and needs to be replaced.

Compressor failures are usually the result of loss of lubrication, which in turn may be due to low refrigerant in the system, a blockage (such as a plugged orifice tube which prevents refrigerant and oil from circulating to the compressor), loss of lubricant due to leaks or improper service procedures (not adding oil to the system to compensate for oil lost through leakage or component replacement), or use of the wrong type of lubricant.

R-12 systems require mineral oil while R-134a systems require various types of PAG oil or POE oil. Using mineral oil in a newer R-134a system can cause serious lubrication problems as can using the wrong grade (viscosity) of PAG oil. Always follow the vehicle or lubricant manufacturers compressor oil recommendations.

The next thing you should check when troubleshooting a no cooling problem is system pressure. For this, you need a set of A/C service gauges. Attach your service gauges to the high and low service fittings. If both the high and low side pressure gauges read low, the system is low and needs recharging. But before any refrigerant is added, check for leaks to find out where the refrigerant is going.

AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM: REFRIGERANT LEAKSAll vehicles leak some refrigerant past seals and through microscopic pores in hoses. The older the vehicle, the higher the rate of seepage. Newer vehicles have better seals and barrier style hoses so typically leak less than a few tenths of an ounce of refrigerant a year. But system capacities also tend to be smaller on newer vehicles, so any loss of refrigerant will have more of an adverse effect on cooling performance.
Various methods can be used to check for leaks. The telltale oil stains and wet spots that indicate leaks on older R-12 systems are less apparent on the newer R-134a systems because PAG lubricants are not as "oily" as mineral oil. This makes it harder to see leaks.
Leaks can be found by adding special dye to the system (available in pressurized cans premixed with refrigerant), an electronic leak detector, or plain old soapy water (spray on hose connections and watch for bubbles -- requires adding some refrigerant to system first and turning the A/C on). Once you've found a leak, repairs should be made prior to fully recharging the system. Most leak repairs involve replacing O-rings, seals or hoses. But if the evaporator or condenser are leaking, repairs can be expensive.

POOR COOLING PERFORMANCE
Diagnosing an A/C cooling problem is best done by connecting a gauge set to the high and low pressure service fitting on the system. Though poor cooling is often due to a low charge of refrigerant, it can also be caused by many other factors (see chart above).
How to tell if your A/C system needs refrigerant: look at the LOW pressure gauge reading when the engine is OFF. On an 80 degree day, the LOW gauge should read about 56 psi or higher if the A/C system contains an adequate charge of refrigerant. On a 90 degree day, the LOW side reading should be about 70 psi or higher. If the LOW gauge reading is less than this, the A/C system probably needs some additional refrigerant.
Refer to the vehicle manufacturer specifications for normal system operating pressures, and the total refrigerant capacity of the system. Most newer passenger car A/C systems do not hold much refrigerant (14 to 28 oz.), so you don't want to add too much if the system is low.
AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT COOLING

Evacuating the system with a vacuum pump will purge it of unwanted air and moisture. Evacuation should be done with a vacuum pump that is capable of achieving and holding a high vacuum (29 inches) for at least 30 to 45 minutes.

An A/C system that blows cold air for awhile then warm air is probably freezing up. This can be caused by air and moisture in the system that allows ice to form and block the orifice tube.
For best performance, an A/C system should contain less than 2% air by weight. For every 1% increase in the amount of air that displaces refrigerant in the system, there will be a corresponding drop of about one degree in cooling performance. More than 6% air can cause a very noticeable drop in cooling performance, and possibly cause evaporator freeze-up.
Air can get inside a system through leaks, by not evacuating the system prior to recharging it, and/or by recharging the system with refrigerant that is contaminated with air. Recovery equipment can suck air into the recycling tank if an A/C system contains air or if the system has a leak. For this reason, the refrigerant recovery tank on recycling equipment must be checked and purged daily. On some equipment, this is done automatically. But on equipment that lacks an automatic purge cycle, tank pressure and temperature has to be measured and compared to a static pressure reference chart.
Some refrigerant identifier equipment can detect air in the system as well as other contaminants. An identifier should be used to check the refrigerant before the system is serviced to prevent cross-contamination of recovery and recycling equipment.
Possible causes of intermittent cooling in a manual A/C system that might be caused by an electrical problem include:

Faulty low pressure cutout switch. This switch prevents the compressor from running if the refrigerant level is low. If the cutout switch is not reading correctly, it can prevent the compressor from coming on.

Faulty compressor clutch. The magnetic clutch on the compressor requires full battery voltage to engage. If the voltage to the clutch is low, or the clutch coils have too much resistance, or the air gap in the clutch is too great, the clutch may not engage to drive the compressor.

Faulty compressor clutch relay. Check to see if the relay is receiving voltage when the A/C is turned on. Also check the relay wiring and ground connections. If bypassing the relay with a jumper wire or routing battery voltage directly to the compressor clutch makes the A/C work, the relay is probably bad.

Faulty A/C control switch. The switch may be worn and not making good contact when it is turned on.
Some possible causes of intermittent cooling (or no cooling) on automatic A/C systems include all of the above, plus:

A problem in the control module or control head (this usually requires using a dealer scan tool to read fault codes and perform self-diagnostics).

A bad temperature sensor (an ambient air temperature sensor, interior air temperature sensor, evaporator temperature sensor, or sunload sensor). Again, a factory scan tool is usually required to perform diagnostics on the system.

AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM: NOISE
Noise from the compressor usually means the compressor is on its way out. But noise can also be caused by cross-contaminated refrigerant (operating pressure too high), air in the system or the wrong type of compressor lubricant.
Noise can also be caused by hoses or other parts rattling against other components in the engine compartment. Check the routing of the hoses, support brackets, etc., to pinpoint the noise.
TROUBLESHOOTING AIR CONDITIONING ODOR
If a vehicles air conditioner blows out air that smells like the inside of old gym sneaker when the A/C is turned on, microbes are growing on the evaporator. Mold likes damp, dark places. Bacteria can also thrive under such conditions. Besides smelling bad, it can be unhealthy to breathe (ever hear of Legionnaires Disease?).
To get rid of the unwanted organisms, various chemicals can be sprayed on the evaporator directly or through the blower ducts or air intake. Many replacement evaporators have a special chemical coating that inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria. The drainage tubes that carry condensation away from the evaporator should also be inspected and cleaned.
A/C FLUSHING
If the compressor has failed, or the system is full of sludge or contamination, the condenser, evaporator and hoses should all be flushed with an approved flushing chemical (such as Dura 141b) to clean the A/C system. Flushing can help prevent repeat compressor failures and system blockages by dislodging and cleaning out sludge and debris. Replacing badly contaminated parts such as the condenser, accumulator or receiver-drier and orifice tube or expansion valve is another way to get rid of these contaminants, but flushing is usually a more practical and economical choice. Regardless of which approach you use, the orifice tube or expansion valve should always be replaced when contamination is found.
NOTE: Some types of compressors can be very difficult to flush completely. These include "parallel" flow condensers and those with extremely small passegeways. If contaminated, these types of condensers must be replaced to reduce the risk of a repeat compressor failure. Installing an in-line filter is also recommended for added insurance,
When a compressor fails, a lot of metallic debris is often thrown into the system. Most of this debris collects in the condenser where it can cause blockages that reduce cooling performance. If the debris is carried through the condenser and enters the liquid line, it can plug the orifice tube or expansion valve. This can block the flow of refrigerant and lubricating oil causing a loss of cooling and possible compressor damage. Debris can also migrate backwards from the compressor through the suction hose causing blockages in the accumulator or receiver-drier.
Another source of trouble can be debris from old hoses that are deteriorating internally. Tiny flakes of rubber can be carried along to the orifice tube or expansion valve and cause a blockage.
Sludge is usually the result of moisture-contamination. The blackish goo that results can damage the compressor and plug the orifice tube or expansion valve. The moisture-absorbing "desiccant" in the accumulator or receiver-drier is supposed to prevent this from happening. But the desiccant can only hold so much moisture. Once saturated, sludge begins to form. So you should also replace the accumulator or receiver-drier if the system is contaminated, has leaks or must be opened up for repairs.
Another reason for flushing is to remove residual lubricating oil from the system. This should be done when retrofitting an R-12 system to R-134a. It should also be done if the lubricating oil is contaminated or the system contains the wrong type of oil for the application. Flushing out the old oil can prevent oil overcharging, reduced cooling performance and/or lubrication incompatibility problems.
For added insurance after flushing, you can install a high side filter to protect the orifice tube or expansion valve from any residual debris that might still be in the system, and/or a second filter in the suction hose to protect the compressor.
R134A RETROFIT
As long as R-12 is available, there is no real reason to convert older vehicles to R-134a. That is because R-12 systems cool best when charged with R-12 refrigerant. But converting to R-134a does make sense if your A/C system requires major A/C repairs (such as a new compressor, condenser or evaporator). The extra cost involved to make the changeover to R-134a does not add that much to the total repair bill.
A basic retrofit procedure can be done one of two ways. The "Type 1" retrofit follows the OEM recommended procedure and generally involves removing all the old mineral oil from the system, replacing the accumulator or receiver-drier with one that contains a desiccant (X-7) which is compatible with R-134a, replacing O-rings (if required), installing or replacing a high pressure cutout switch and/or orifice tube (if required), then adding the specified PAG oil and recharging the system with R-134a. Federal law also requires the installation of R-134a fittings on the high and low service ports to reduce the chance of refrigerant cross-contamination the next time the vehicle is serviced, and labels that identify the system has been converted to R-134a. For more information, see the R134A RETROFIT GUIDE program featured on this website.
 Click on image for more info A "Type 2" procedure is more of a "quick and cheap" approach to retrofit. On many 1989 through 1993 vintage vehicles, the R-12 A/C systems can be converted to R-134a by simply recovering any of the R-12 that is left in the system (NOTE: it is illegal to vent refrigerant into the atmosphere!), adding POE oil (which is compatible with both types of refrigerant), and then recharging with R-134a.
NOTE: Type 2 conversions cannot always be done on some vehicles because their compressors may not be compatible with R-134a (any compressor with Viton seals has to be replaced). This includes original equipment compressors such as Tecumseh HR980, some Keihin compressors and some Panasonic rotary valve style compressors in older Nissan vehicles.

Durability is another concern. Because R-134a raises compressor discharge pressures and increases the compressors work load, some lightweight compressors may not be rugged enough to tolerate R-134a over the long haul. This applies to the Harrison DA6 and Ford FX-15 compressors. The Harrison DA6 can be replaced with a HD-6, HR-6 or HR-6HE compressor. The Ford FX-15 compressor can be replaced with a FS-10 compressor.

More Air Conditioning Articles:

Air Conditioning Inspection Checklist

Troubleshoot Automatic Climate Control System

A/C Cooling Problem: Blows Warm Air Only No Cool Air

How To Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner

A/C Service Equipment: What's Required To Service Today's Vehicles

Air Conditioning Service Best Practices (Procedures a repair shop should follow when servicing your A/C system)

MACS Recommended A/C Service Procedures (pdf file) 

MACS 2004 A/C Technical Update

A/C Compressor Failures - May 2003

PAG oil recommendations

A/C Condenser Flushing

A/C Update: MACS Report - Jan 2001

OEM Service Note from MACS Convention - Jan 2000

Update on R134a Retrofit - Feb 2000

Alternative Refrigerants

HFO-1234yf Refrigerant

California proposes ban on R134a sales to motorists