You’ll no doubt recall being told in your formative years” Remember to flush”, well that throwback memory will stand you in good stead when it comes to your air-conditioning system.

If you’re wondering whether flushing is just an unnecessary hassle then think again. The loop has to be clinically clean for the system to perform properly, which is why flushing is one of the most important service procedures. The build-up of harmful substances and particles in the refrigerant circuit can lead to system components being damaged and in turn considerable expense and inconvenience. Flushing is also the only reliable way to determine that the correct level of lubrication recommended for a given compressor or vehicle has been achieved. Not surprising then that compressor manufacturers actively endorse flushing for warranty protection. If you don’t flush your system when replacing a compressor, you can forget about making a claim in the event of a problem! Flushing isn’t just a preventative either, it’s good practice for any system that is under performing, when improper use of additives such as UV dyes has taken place, when sludge build-up is suspected, or if a system’s history is unknown.

There’s more than one way to flush a system! Whether you opt for flushing with R134a refrigerant using the functions of an AC service station like the Agricold, settle on a purpose-built flushing station or prefer a more manual approach with a hand flush kit, hoses and gauges the choice is all yours. A word of warning though before you get too carried away; not everything can be flushed and exceptions include expansion valves, receiver driers, compressors and accumulators. Whilst valves and filters should be replaced post-flushing, adapters should be used to bridge the components during the process. There are also some types of condenser that are not suitable for flushing such as parallel flow, serpentine and plate and fin models. Our sales team know our products inside out, so feel free to pick their brains if you need advice.

AP Air Ltd are Europe’s leading supplier of air-conditioning parts, tools and consumables for agricultural and construction vehicles. Visit us online at www.apairltd.com and take advantage of our next day delivery to mainland UK.