Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
A/C Unit
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Hose Clamps, Up To 40 mm3094 and Hose Clamps Up To 25 mm diameter 3093
- Compressed air gun, commercially available
- Cooling System Tester V.A.G 1274 (and corresponding adapter)
Remove the heater in the same way as the A/C unit. Naturally, the items that affect components that are only present on the A/C system are omitted.
Removal
-- Protect driver and front passenger seats using seat covers.
-- Switch off ignition.
-- Discharge the refrigerant circuit. Refer to Description and Operation (A/C Service Station).
-- Disconnect the battery. Refer to [For transmission(s) 02E] Removal and Installation .
Obtain radio code if necessary before disconnecting battery.
On vehicles with seats that can be adjusted electrically, move them all the way back before disconnecting the battery. Refer to Removal and Installation .
On removal, note down bolt lengths and assignment for installation later.
All cable ties opened or cut during removal of A/C (heater) must be reinstalled at the same locations during installation.
Depending on vehicle equipment and on engine, heat insulation has been applied to coolant hoses and refrigerant lines, these must not be damaged and must be re-applied after installing.
-- Release pressure in cooling circuit by opening the cap on coolant expansion tank. Refer to [For engine(s) CEPB] General Information or refer to [For engine(s) CETA, CCTA] General Information or refer to [For engine(s) CDMA] General Information or refer to [For engine(s) BPY] General Information .
-- Remove components that hinder access to mounting points -A- on heat shield -B- and to coolant hoses to heater core in engine compartment. Refer to REFRIGERANT LINES, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING FROM EXPANSION VALVE .
-- Loosen heat shield -B- from plenum chamber bulkhead (lay it aside or remove it completely).
-- Mark arrangement of coolant hoses -A- and -B-.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.