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:
Fuel tank - removal and refitting
The procedures are the same as described
in Part A of this Chapter for carburettor
engines, but in addition disconnect the fuel
tank-to-fuel pump hose from the rear face of
the tank. ...
Rear shock absorbers (Van models) - removal, testing and
refitting
Removal
1 Raise and support the rear of the vehicle on
stands (see “Jacking and Vehicle Support”).
Place a jack beneath the rear axle tube and
just raise it slightly.
2 Disconnect the shock absor ...
Anti-lock Braking System - description
1 From 1986 onward an anti-lock braking
system is available as standard or optional
equipment on certain Escort models.
2 The system comprises four main
components: two modulators, one for each
b ...
