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.
Dryer Cartridge / Receiver/Dryer, Replacing After Cleaning Refrigerant Circuit
There is usually a dryer cartridge or a desiccant bag installed in the receiver/dryer (depending on the design of the refrigerant circuit). Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).
- Pay attention to the general information for replacing components. Refer to GENERAL INFORMATION FOR REPLACING COMPONENTS .
Cleaning the refrigerant circuit means flushing with refrigerant R1234yf. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, CLEANING .
For example, on account of ingress of moisture (refrigerant circuit open for lengthy period) or contamination
-- Discharge the refrigerant circuit. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, DISCHARGING .
-- Remove the A/C compressor. Refer to A/C Compressor (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Eliminate the cause of the malfunction. Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Clean the refrigerant circuit (flush with refrigerant R1234yf). Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, CLEANING .
Electrically-Driven A/C Compressor
-- Flush the old refrigerant oil out of A/C compressor. Refer to ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN A/C COMPRESSOR, CLEANING .
Mechanically Driven A/C Compressor
-- Remove the oil drain plug from the A/C compressor. Refer to A/C Compressor (vehicle-specific service information).
Replacing the different versions of the oil drain plugs and their corresponding seal. Refer to LEAKING OR DAMAGED COMPONENTS, REPLACING, EMPTY REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT EXCEPT A/C COMPRESSOR AND RECEIVER/DRYER and Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information) and the Parts Information.
-- To accelerate refrigerant oil drainage, turn the A/C compressor via the belt pulley or the A/C clutch plate, for example. Refer to A/C Compressor (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Pour old refrigerant oil out of the A/C compressor. Refer to A/C COMPRESSOR, REPLACING WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FLUSHING REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT .
Dispose of old refrigerant oil (pay attention to local regulations).
All A/C Compressors
-- Examine the expansion valve for dirt or corrosion; replace if necessary. Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Then add the new refrigerant oil quantity, which matches the refrigerant oil quantity in the replacement compressor (or if necessary, the specified refrigerant oil quantity in vehicles with two evaporators) to the A/C compressor. Refer to APPROVED REFRIGERANT OILS AND REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES (vehicle-specific service information).
Use the different refrigerant oils and quantities for the different A/C compressors. Refer to APPROVED REFRIGERANT OILS AND REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES (vehicle-specific service information).
To ensure A/C compressor lubrication when starting, at least 40 cm3 of refrigerant oil must be poured into the A/C compressor. The remainder can be added to the refrigerant line or the new reservoir/receiver/dryer/inner heat exchanger. Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information) and Technical Data (vehicle-specific service information).
If dirt enters the A/C compressor when the refrigerant circuit is open (for example, in an accident), then the refrigerant circuit must be cleaned and replaced. Refer to REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, CLEANING and A/C Compressor (vehicle-specific service information).
On vehicles with two evaporators, the amount of refrigerant oil in the refrigerant circuit may be greater than the amount that is in the replacement A/C compressor. If necessary, add the remaining amount of refrigerant oil to the refrigerant circuit. Refer to Technical Data (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Replace the desiccant bag/dryer cartridge (or receiver/dryer). Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).
-- Assemble, evacuate and fill the refrigerant circuit. Refer to WORKING WITH A/C SERVICE STATION .
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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.