CONDENSER-A/C
DESCRIPTION
The A/C condenser (1) is located in the front of the engine compartment behind the grille. The A/C condenser is a heat exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant gas being discharged by the A/C compressor to give up its heat to the air passing over the condenser fins, which causes the refrigerant to cool and change to a liquid state.
The A/C condenser is equipped with mounting provisions (2) and a tapping block (3) for the A/C refrigerant lines.
OPERATION
When air passes through the fins of the A/C condenser, the high-pressure refrigerant gas within the A/C condenser gives up its heat. The refrigerant then condenses as it leaves the A/C condenser and becomes a high-pressure liquid. The volume of air flowing over the condenser fins is critical to the proper cooling performance of the A/C system. Therefore, it is important that there are no objects placed in front of the radiator grille openings at the front of the vehicle or foreign material on the condenser fins that might obstruct proper air flow. Also, any factory-installed air seals or shrouds must be properly reinstalled following radiator or A/C condenser service.
NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals is required anytime a refrigerant line is opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals could result in a refrigerant system leak.
The A/C condenser has no serviceable parts except for the O-ring seals. The O-ring seals used on the connections are made from a special type of rubber not affected by R-134a refrigerant. The O-ring seals must be replaced whenever a refrigerant line is removed from the A/C condenser.
The A/C condenser cannot be repaired and must be replaced if found to be leaking or damaged.
REMOVAL
WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) and (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION). Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal injury or death.
CAUTION: Before removing the A/C condenser, note the location of each of the radiator/condenser air seals. These air seals are used to direct air through the A/C condenser and radiator. The air seals must be reinstalled in their proper locations in order for the A/C and engine cooling systems to perform as designed.
1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).
3. Remove the nuts (4 and 9) that secure the A/C discharge line (3) and the A/C liquid line (10) to the A/C condenser (5).
4. Disconnect the A/C discharge line and the A/C liquid line from the A/C condenser and remove and discard the O-ring seals.
5. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings and condenser ports.
6. Remove the upper radiator crossmember (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER - REMOVAL).
7. If equipped, remove the two bolts (8) that secure the automatic transmission cooler (7) to the radiator and position the transmission cooler aside.
8. Remove the two bolts (6) that secure the upper A/C condenser brackets to the radiator.
9. Carefully lift the A/C condenser straight up to disconnect the lower brackets from the radiator and remove the A/C condenser from the engine compartment.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Be certain to adjust the refrigerant oil level when servicing the A/C refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIGERANT OIL - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL). Failure to properly adjust the refrigerant oil level will prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and can cause serious A/C compressor damage.
NOTE: When replacing multiple A/C system components, refer to the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart to determine how much oil should be added to the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIGERANT OIL - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL).
NOTE: If only the A/C condenser is being replaced, add 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals is required anytime a refrigerant line is opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals could result in a refrigerant system leak.
NOTE: Be certain that each of the radiator and condenser air seals are installed in their proper locations. These air seals are required for the A/C and engine cooling systems to perform as designed.
1. Carefully position the A/C condenser (5) into the engine compartment and engage the lower condenser brackets to the radiator.
2. Install the two bolts (6) that secure the upper condenser brackets to the radiator. Tighten the bolts to 5 N·m (44 in. lbs.).
3. If equipped, position the automatic transmission cooler (7) to the radiator and install the two retaining bolts (8). Tighten the bolts to 5 N·m (44 in. lbs.).
4. Install the upper radiator crossmember (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER - INSTALLATION).
5. Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant line fittings and condenser ports.
6. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the refrigerant line fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
7. Connect the A/C liquid line (10) and the A/C discharge line (3) to the A/C condenser and install the retaining nuts (4 and 9). Tighten the nuts to 22.5 N·m (200 in. lbs.).
8. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
9. Evacuate the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
10. If the A/C condenser is being replaced, add 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system. When replacing multiple A/C system components, refer to the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart to determine how much oil should be added to the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIGERANT OIL - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL). Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
11. Charge the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).