When repairing or replacing elements of the air conditioning system, if the air conditioning system was in the open state (some units were removed, pipelines were destroyed, etc.), filter element of the receiver-drier (cartridge) must be replaced. Without this, after filling the system, the refrigerant will not dry out and acids may form inside the system, which will destroy the parts of the air conditioner from the inside.
1. Disconnect the wire from the terminal «minus» battery.
2. Remove the refrigerant from the air conditioning system (see «Removing refrigerant from the air conditioning system»).
3. Remove the front bumper, see «Removal and installation of a forward bumper»).
4. Turn out the protective plug of the hole in the lower end of the receiver-drier.
NOTE: For clarity, the following steps are shown with the condenser removed.
5. Using a puller, remove the retaining ring of the filter element replacement hole plug.
6. Remove the plug. For this purpose, you can cover it with a cleaning cloth and apply compressed air to the hole for connecting pipelines.
7. Remove the strainer and old cartridge from the receiver housing.
WARNING: If aluminum or plastic particles are found on the surface of the cartridge, then the pump part of the compressor has collapsed. Replacing only the cartridge in this case will not give a positive result. You will need to replace the compressor with flushing the system. This rather time-consuming procedure can only be performed in a specialized service center using special technological equipment.
8. Open the sealed package and install a new cartridge in the receiver.
WARNING: When purchasing a new filter element (cartridge), make sure it has been stored in sealed packaging. A filter element that has been stored unpackaged is unusable, even if it is brand new and clean.
9. Install the plug into the receiver and secure it with the circlip. Make sure the retaining ring is fully seated in the housing groove.
10. Screw in the protective plug.
11. Charge the air conditioning system with refrigerant at a specialized auto air conditioning service center.