Air conditioner refridgerant charge check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
1 If applicable, remove the radiator grille being careful not to damage the condenser fins.
2 Check the refrigerant charge as follows.
The engine should be cold and the ambient temperature should be between 64° and 77°F (18° and 25°C).
3 Start the engine and allow it to idle.
Observe the refrigerant sight glass (see illustration)
26.3 Air conditioning system refrigerant sight glass (arrowed)
and have an assistant switch on the air conditioning to fan speed III. A few bubbles should be seen in the sight glass as the system starts up, but all bubbles should disappear within 10 seconds. Persistent bubbles, or no bubbles at all, mean that the refrigerant charge is low. Switch off the system immediately if the charge is low and do not use it again until it has been recharged.
4 Inspect the refrigerant pipes, hoses and unions for security and good condition. Refit the radiator grille.
5 The air conditioning system will lose a proportion of its charge through normal seepage typically up to 100 g (4 oz) per year - so it is as well to regard periodic recharging as a maintenance operation.
See also:
Load apportioning valve P100 models) - removal and refitting
Caution: Refer to the
precautions in Section 1.
Removal
1 Chock the front wheels, jack up the rear of
the vehicle and support on axle stands (see
“Jacking and Vehicle Support”).
2 The load appor ...
Hinge and lock check and lubrication (Every 12 000 miles or 12
months)
1 Work around the vehicle, and lubricate the
bonnet, door and tailgate hinges with a light
machine oil such as Duckhams Home Oil.
2 Lightly lubricate the bonnet release
mechanism and exposed secti ...
Steering angles and wheel alignment
1 Accurate front wheel alignment is essential
to good steering and for even tyre wear.
Before considering the steering angles, check
that the tyres are correctly inflated, that the
roadwheels are ...
