Dodge Dakota (ND). Manual - part 1298

8. Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PRO-

CEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).

CORE-HEATER

DESCRIPTION

The heater core (1) for the heating-A/C system is
located in the HVAC housing, behind the instrument
panel. It is a heat exchanger made of rows of tubes
with fins. The heater core is positioned within the
HVAC housing so that only the selected amount of air
entering the HVAC housing passes through the heater
core before it is distributed through the heating-A/C
system ducts and outlets. The heater core tubes (2)
are attached to the side of the heater core and are
secured to the HVAC housing by a removable flange
(3).

The heater core can be serviced by removing the
HVAC housing.

OPERATION

Engine coolant is circulated through the heater hoses to the heater core at all times. As the coolant flows through
the heater core, heat is removed from the engine and is transferred to the heater core fins and tubes. Air directed
through the heater core picks up the heat from the heater core fins. The blend-air door allows control of the heater
output air temperature by regulating the amount of air flowing through the heater core within the HVAC housing. The
blower motor speed controls the volume of air flowing through the HVAC housing.

The heater core cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

REMOVAL

1. Remove the HVAC housing and place it on a work-

bench (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/DISTRIBUTION/HOUSING-HVAC

REMOVAL).

2. Disassemble the HVAC housing (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/
HOUSING-HVAC - DISASSEMBLY).

NOTE: If the foam seal around the heater core is
deformed or damaged, the seal must be replaced.

3. Carefully lift the heater core (1) out of the lower

half of the HVAC housing (2).

NOTE: If the rubber flange around the heater core
tubes is deformed or damaged, the flange must be
replaced.

24 - 190

PLUMBING

4. If required, remove the rubber flange (3) from around the heater core tubes (4).

INSTALLATION

1. If removed, install the rubber flange (3) over the

heater core tubes (4).

NOTE: Make sure that the foam seal and the rub-
ber flange are properly positioned in the HVAC
housing.

2. Carefully install the heater core (1) into the lower

half of the HVAC housing (2).

3. Assemble the HVAC housing (Refer to 24 - HEAT-

ING

AIR

CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/

HOUSING-HVAC - ASSEMBLY).

NOTE: If the heater core is being replaced, flush
the cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE - COOLING SYSTEM CLEAN-
ING/REVERSE FLUSHING).

4. Install the HVAC housing (Refer to 24 - HEATING

& AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION/HOUSING-
HVAC - INSTALLATION).

CORE-VALVE-SERVICE PORT

DESCRIPTION

Two refrigerant system service ports are used to recover/recycle/evacuate/charge and test the A/C refrigerant sys-
tem. Unique sizes are used on the service ports for the R-134a refrigerant system to ensure the system is not
accidentally contaminated with R-12 refrigerant or service equipment used for R-12 refrigerant.

The high side service port is located on the A/C liquid line. The low side service port is located on the A/C accu-
mulator. Both the high side and low side A/C service port valve cores are serviceable.

Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic protective cap installed over it from the factory. After servicing the
refrigerant system, always reinstall both of the service port caps.

REMOVAL

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following
operation (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNINGS) and (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTIONS). Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result
in possible personal injury or death.

PLUMBING

24 - 191

NOTE: Typical A/C service port shown.

1. Remove the protective cap (1) from the service

port (2).

2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system

(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

3. Using a Schrader-type valve core tool, remove the

valve core (3) from the service port.

4. Install a plug in or tape over the opened service

port(s).

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Typical A/C service port shown.

1. Lubricate the valve core (3) with clean refrigerant

oil prior to installation. Use only refrigerant oil of
the type recommended for the A/C compressor in
the vehicle.

2. Remove the tape or plug from the service port (2).

CAUTION: A valve core that is not fully seated in
the A/C service port can result in damage to the
valve during refrigerant system evacuation and
charge. Such damage may result in a loss of sys-
tem refrigerant while uncoupling the charge adapt-
ers.

3. Using a Schrader-type valve core tool, install and

tighten the valve core into the service port(s).

4. Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).

5. Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PRO-

CEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE).

NOTE: The protective cap helps aid in service port sealing and helps protects the refrigerant system from
contamination. Remember to always reinstall the protective cap onto the service port when refrigerant sys-
tem service is complete.

6. Install the protective cap (1) onto the service port.

24 - 192

PLUMBING

COUPLER-REFRIGERANT LINE

DESCRIPTION

Spring-lock type refrigerant line couplers are used to
connect the A/C accumulator and the A/C liquid line to
the A/C evaporator. Secondary retaining clips are
installed over the connected couplers for added pro-
tection.

The spring-lock refrigerant line couplers require A/C
Line Disconnect Tools 7193 for disengaging the two
coupler halves.

OPERATION

The spring-lock type refrigerant line coupler is held
together by a garter spring (6) inside a circular cage
(7) on the male half of the fitting (1). When the two
coupler halves are connected, the flared end of the
female fitting (2) slips behind the garter spring inside
the cage on the male fitting. The garter spring and
cage prevent the flared end of the female fitting from
pulling out of the cage. Some applications use a con-
nection indicator ring (4) to help indicate when the two
coupler halves are fully connected.

Two O-rings (8) are used to seal the coupler connec-
tions. These O-rings are compatible with R-134a
refrigerant and must be replaced with O-rings made of
the same material.

A secondary retaining clip (3) is installed over the con-
nected coupler (5) for added protection.

REMOVAL

A/C Line Disconnect Tools 7193

PLUMBING

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