Refrigerant Recycle Machine For R-12 A/C Systems (83/72A)

Publication date: 1990-10-01
Reference number: 83/72A
Supersedes refnos: 58/80, 58/80A, 83/72

REFRIGERANT RECYCLE MACHINE FOR R-12 A/C SYSTEMS

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 58/80A, 83/72A, Date of Issue: October 1990

MERCEDES BENZ:	All Models
GROUP:	Air Conditioning

Superceded Bulletin(s): 58/80, Date of Issue: Oct. 1990, 83/72, Date of Issue: Oct. 1990

NOTE: This bulletin supersedes 58/80, 83/72 dated October, 1990.

DESCRIPTION

SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS - ALL MODELS

SERVICE INFORMATION

This S.I. contains changes concerning the BEAR refrigerant recycling machine.

Worldwide, it is agreed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), including air conditioner refrigerant R-12, destroy our earth's protective ozone layer. If allowed to continue unchecked, drastic health consequences will follow. As a result, all new R-12 production will stop in the year 2000. Furthermore, releasing air conditioning R-12 (CFC) refrigerant into the atmosphere during repairs, or at any other time, is no longer an acceptable practice. To prevent the release of R-12, recycling is required to the fullest extent possible.

Recycling has the following advantages

Reduces ozone layer damage
Avoids the high cost of replacement CFC's (new 1990 IRS tax will progressively increase)
Complies with state recycling laws in effect as of January 1991 (at the time of printing, New York, Vermont, Maine, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Connecticut, Oregon and Minnesota have laws requiring mandatory CFC recycling)
Extends the supply period for existing R-12
Avoids stringent laws on R-12 availability

For recycling, a machine certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that provides recycled R-12 to strict purity standards, must be used.

We recommend the BEAR units, models 40-310 and 40-327, which recover and recycle refrigerant without emission into the atmosphere. This equipment is available through the MBNA Standard Equipment Program.

Mercedes-Benz cars are being designed to use non-CFC refrigerant (HFC-134a) beginning in M.Y. 1992, with all models being redesigned by M.Y. 1994. However, until then, prior model year cars will continue to require only R-12 throughout their life.

Serving the needs of our owners and protecting the health of our planet is of critical importance. Recycling will help us achieve both.

A reprint of the leaflet "Refrigerant Recycling in Mobile Air Conditioners", originally published by the Environmental Protection Agency, is attached for your information.