When repairing or replacing air conditioning system components, if the air conditioning system was in an open state (some units were removed, pipelines were destroyed, etc.), the filter element of the receiver-dryer (cartridge) must be replaced. Without this, after filling the system, the refrigerant will not be dried and acids may form inside the system, which will destroy the air conditioner parts from the inside.
1. Disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Remove the refrigerant from the air conditioning system (see "Removal refrigerant from the air conditioning system").
3. Remove the front bumper see. "Removal and installation the front bumper").
4. Unscrew the protective plug of the hole in the lower end of the receiver-dryer.
NOTE: For clarity, the following steps are shown with the condenser removed.
5. Using a puller, remove the retaining ring from the filter element replacement hole plug.
6. Remove the plug. For this purpose, you can cover it with a cleaning cloth and supply compressed air to the hole for connecting the pipelines.
7. Remove the mesh filter and old cartridge from the receiver body.
WARNING: If aluminum or plastic particles are found on the surface of the cartridge, the pump part of the compressor has been destroyed. Replacing only the cartridge in this case will not give a positive result. The compressor will need to be replaced with a system flush. This rather labor-intensive procedure can only be performed in a specialized service center using special technological equipment.
8. Open the sealed package and install the new cartridge into the receiver.
WARNING: When purchasing a new filter element (cartridge), make sure it was stored in a sealed package. A filter element stored without packaging is not suitable for use, even if it is completely new and clean.
9. Install the plug into the receiver and secure it with the retaining ring. Make sure that the retaining ring is fully seated in the groove of the housing.
10. Screw in the protective plug.
11. Have the air conditioning system refilled with refrigerant at a specialist car air conditioning service centre.