PLUMBING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PLUMBING
DESCRIPTION - REFRIGERANT LINE .......27
OPERATION - REFRIGERANT LINE .........28
WARNING .............................28
CAUTION
CAUTIONS ..........................28
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM HOSES/LINES/
TUBES/PRECAUTIONS .................28
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REFRIGERANT
SYSTEM LEAKS ......................29
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
SYSTEM SERVICE EQUIPMENT ..........29
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
RECOVERY ..........................30
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
SYSTEM EVACUATE ...................30
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
SYSTEM CHARGE.....................31
SPECIFICATIONS
CHARGE CAPACITY ...................31
A/C COMPRESSOR
DESCRIPTION .........................31
OPERATION ...........................31
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - COMPRESSOR
NOISE ..............................31
REMOVAL .............................32
INSTALLATION .........................32
A/C CONDENSER
REMOVAL .............................33
INSTALLATION .........................34
A/C DISCHARGE LINE
REMOVAL .............................34
INSTALLATION .........................34
LIQUID LINE
REMOVAL .............................35
INSTALLATION .........................36
SUCTION LINE
REMOVAL .............................37
INSTALLATION .........................38
A/C EVAPORATOR
REMOVAL .............................38
INSTALLATION .........................39
A/C EXPANSION VALVE
DESCRIPTION .........................39
OPERATION ...........................39
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - A/C EXPANSION
VALVE ..............................39
REMOVAL .............................40
INSTALLATION .........................40
HEATER CORE
REMOVAL .............................40
INSTALLATION .........................41
RECEIVER / DRIER
DESCRIPTION .........................41
OPERATION ...........................41
REMOVAL .............................41
INSTALLATION .........................41
REFRIGERANT
DESCRIPTION .........................42
OPERATION ...........................42
REFRIGERANT OIL
DESCRIPTION .........................42
OPERATION ...........................42
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
OIL LEVEL ...........................42
SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE
REMOVAL .............................43
INSTALLATION .........................44
PLUMBING
DESCRIPTION - REFRIGERANT LINE
The refrigerant lines and hoses are used to carry
the refrigerant between the various air conditioning
system components. A barrier hose design with a
nylon tube, which is sandwiched between rubber lay-
ers, is used for the R-134a air conditioning system on
this vehicle. This nylon tube helps to further contain
the R-134a refrigerant, which has a smaller molecu-
lar structure than R-12 refrigerant. The ends of the
refrigerant hoses are made from lightweight alumi-
num or steel, and commonly use braze-less fittings.
Any kinks or sharp bends in the refrigerant plumb-
ing will reduce the capacity of the entire air condi-
tioning system. Kinks and sharp bends reduce the
flow of refrigerant in the system. A good rule for the
flexible hose refrigerant lines is to keep the radius of
all bends at least ten times the diameter of the hose.
In addition, the flexible hose refrigerant lines should
be routed so they are at least 80 millimeters (3
inches) from the exhaust manifold.
LH PLUMBING 24 - 27