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 a tapping block for the refrigerant lines (2) and the integral automatic transmission fluid cooler (3) (when equipped with an automatic transmission), mounting brackets (4) that attach the condenser to the radiator and a replaceable receiver/drier (5).
The A/C condenser may be removed for service without removing the radiator from the vehicle when equipped with a manual transmission. When equipped with an automatic transmission, the radiator and condenser must be removed from the engine compartment as an assembly.
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.
CAUTION: The A/C receiver/drier must be replaced if an internal failure of the A/C compressor has occurred. Failure to replace the A/C receiver/drier can cause serious damage to the replacement A/C compressor.
NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals and gaskets is required anytime a refrigerant line is opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals and metal gaskets could result in a refrigerant system leak.
The A/C condenser has no serviceable parts except for the O-ring seals and gaskets. 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 and gaskets 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: The A/C receiver/drier must be replaced if an internal failure of the A/C compressor has occurred. Failure to replace the A/C receiver/drier can cause serious damage to the replacement A/C compressor.
NOTE: Before removing the A/C condenser, note the location of each of the radiator and condenser air seals. These seals are used to direct air through the A/C condenser and the 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 coolant recovery container (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER - REMOVAL).
4. On 2.8L equipped models, disconnect the air intake hose from the throttle body and position the hose out of the way.
5. Remove the nuts (3 and 5) that secure the A/C discharge line (2) and A/C liquid line (4) to the left side of the A/C condenser (1).
6. Disconnect the A/C discharge and liquid lines from the A/C condenser and remove and discard the O-ring seals and gaskets.
7. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fittings and condenser ports.
NOTE: Illustration shown with A/C condenser removed for clarity.
8. Remove the grille (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/GRILLE - REMOVAL).
9. Remove the upper radiator closure.
10. If equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the radiator and A/C condenser as an assembly and place it on a workbench (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - REMOVAL).
11. Remove the bolts at the five locations shown (3) that secure the A/C condenser (1) to the radiator.
12. If equipped with an automatic transmission, separate the A/C condenser from the radiator.
13. If equipped with a manual transmission, remove the two bolts that secure the radiator to the upper radiator support and carefully push the top of the radiator rearward to provide clearance for the refrigerant line tapping block (2), then lift the A/C condenser out from the front of the engine compartment.
14. If required and equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the bolt (4) that secures the transmission cooler line adapter (5) to the left side of the automatic transmission fluid cooler (6).
15. If required, remove the A/C receiver/drier (7) from the right side of the A/C condenser (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/RECEIVER/DRIER-A/C - REMOVAL).
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.
CAUTION: The A/C receiver/drier must be replaced if an internal failure of the A/C compressor has occurred. Failure to replace the A/C receiver/drier can cause serious damage to the replacement A/C compressor.
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 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) 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 and gaskets is required anytime a refrigerant line is opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals and metal gaskets 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.
NOTE: Illustration shown with A/C condenser removed for clarity.
1. If removed, install the A/C receiver/drier (7) onto the right side of the A/C condenser (1) (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/RECEIVER/DRIER-A/C - INSTALLATION).
2. If removed and equipped with an automatic transmission, install the transmission cooler line adapter (5) using new O-rings to the left side of the automatic transmission fluid cooler (6) and install the retaining bolt (4). Tighten the bolt securely.
3. If equipped with a manual transmission, carefully push the top of the radiator rearward to provide clearance for the refrigerant line tapping block (2) and position the A/C condenser into the front of the engine compartment, then reposition the radiator and install the two bolts that secure the radiator to the upper radiator support. Tighten the bolts securely.
4. If equipped with an automatic transmission, position the A/C condenser to the front of the radiator on the workbench.
5. Install the bolts at the five locations shown (3) that secure the A/C condenser to the radiator. Tighten the bolts to 5 N·m (45 in. lbs.).
6. If equipped with an automatic transmission, install the radiator and A/C condenser as an assembly (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - INSPECTION).
7. Install the upper radiator closure.
8. Install the grille (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/GRILLE - INSTALLATION).
9. Remove the tape or plugs from the opened refrigerant line fittings and condenser ports.
10. Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them and new gaskets onto the refrigerant line fittings. Use only the specified O-ring seals 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.
11. Connect the A/C discharge line (2) and A/C liquid line (4) to the left side of the A/C condenser (1) and install the retaining nuts (3 and 5). Tighten the nuts to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.).
12. On 2.8L equipped models, reconnect the air intake hose to the throttle body.
13. Install the coolant recovery container (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER - INSTALLATION).
14. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
15. Evacuate the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
16. If the A/C condenser is being replaced, add 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) 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.
17. Charge the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).
18. If equipped with automatic transmission, check the automatic transmission fluid level and fill as required.