Chrysler Pacifica. Manual - part 901

REMOVAL

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

(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

(2) Remove the air cleaner housing (Refer to 9 -

ENGINE/AIR

INTAKE

SYSTEM/AIR

CLEANER

HOUSING - REMOVAL).

(3) Remove the bolts that secures the front and

rear sections of the A/C liquid line to the receiver/
drier (Fig. 28).

(4) Disconnect the A/C liquid lines from the receiv-

er/drier and remove and discard the O-ring seals.

(5) Install a plug in, or tape over the opened liquid

line fittings and the receiver/drier ports.

(6) Remove the two nuts that secure the receiver/

drier to the right strut tower and remove the receiv-
er/drier.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: If the receiver/drier is being replaced, add 30
milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the
type recommended for the A/C compressor in the
vehicle.

(1) Position the receiver/drier onto the weld studs

on the right strut tower.

(2) Install the two nuts that secure the receiver/

drier to the right strut tower. Tighten the nuts to 10
N·m (89 in. lbs.).

(3) Remove the tape or plugs from the liquid line

fittings and the receiver/drier ports.

(4) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean

refrigerant oil and install them on the liquid line fit-
tings.

(5) Connect the front and rear sections of the A/C

liquid line to the receiver/drier.

(6) Install the bolts that secures the A/C liquid

lines to the receiver/drier. Tighten the bolts to 11
N·m (100 in. lbs.).

(7) Install the air cleaner housing (Refer to 9 -

ENGINE/AIR

INTAKE

SYSTEM/AIR

CLEANER

HOUSING - INSTALLATION).

(8) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

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

(9) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE).

REFRIGERANT

DESCRIPTION

The refrigerant used in this air conditioning sys-

tem is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R-134a.
Unlike R-12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC),
R-134a refrigerant does not contain ozone-depleting
chlorine. R-134a refrigerant is a non-toxic, non-flam-
mable, clear, and colorless liquefied gas.

Even though R-134a does not contain chlorine, it

must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC-type
refrigerants. This is because R-134a is a greenhouse
gas and can contribute to global warming.

OPERATION

R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12

refrigerant in an A/C system. Even a small amount of
R-12 refrigerant added to an R-134a refrigerant sys-
tem will cause A/C compressor failure, refrigerant oil
sludge or poor A/C system performance. In addition,
the polyalkylene glycol (PAG) synthetic refrigerant
oils used in an R-134a refrigerant system are not
compatible with the mineral-based refrigerant oils
used in an R-12 refrigerant system.

R-134a refrigerant system service ports, service

tool couplers and refrigerant dispensing bottles have
all been designed with unique fittings to ensure that
an R-134a refrigerant system is not accidentally con-

Fig. 28 Receiver/Drier

1 - RECEIVER/DRIER
2 - LIQUID LINE (FRONT SECTION)
3 - BOLT
4 - BOLT
5 - LIQUID LINE (REAR SECTION)
6 - NUT (2)

PLUMBING

24 - 81

RECEIVER / DRIER (Continued)

taminated with the wrong refrigerant (R-12). There
are also labels posted in the engine compartment of
the vehicle and on the A/C compressor to identify
that the A/C system is equipped with R-134a refrig-
erant.

REFRIGERANT OIL

DESCRIPTION

The refrigerant oil used in R-134a refrigerant sys-

tems is a synthetic-based, polyalkylene glycol (PAG),
wax-free lubricant. Mineral-based R-12 refrigerant
oils are not compatible with PAG oils, and should
never be introduced to an R-134a refrigerant system.

There are different PAG oils available, and each

contains a different additive package. The Denso
10S17 and 10S20 A/C compressors used in this vehi-
cle are designed to use ND-8 PAG refrigerant oil. Use
only this type of refrigerant oil the refrigerant sys-
tem.

OPERATION

After performing any refrigerant recovery or recy-

cling operation, always replenish the refrigerant sys-
tem with the same amount of the recommended
refrigerant oil as was removed. Too little refrigerant
oil can cause A/C compressor damage, and too much
can reduce A/C system performance.

PAG refrigerant oil is more hygroscopic than min-

eral oil, and will absorb any moisture it comes into
contact with, even moisture in the air. The PAG oil
container should always be kept tightly capped until
it is ready to be used. After use, recap the oil con-
tainer immediately to prevent moisture contamina-
tion.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL

When an A/C system is assembled at the factory,

all components except the A/C compressor are refrig-
erant oil free. After the refrigerant system has been
charged and operated, the refrigerant oil in the A/C
compressor is dispersed throughout the refrigerant
system. The receiver/drier, A/C evaporator, A/C con-
denser and the A/C compressor will each retain a sig-
nificant amount of the needed refrigerant oil.

It is important to have the correct amount of

refrigerant oil in the A/C system. This ensures proper
lubrication of the A/C compressor. Too little oil will
result in damage to the A/C compressor, while too
much oil will reduce the cooling capacity of the A/C
system and consequently result in higher discharge
air temperatures.

CAUTION: The oil used in the Denso 10S17 and
10S20 A/C compressors is ND-8 PAG R-134a refrig-
erant oil. Only refrigerant oil of the same type
should be used to service the A/C system. Do not
use any other refrigerant oil. The oil container
should be kept tightly capped until it is ready for
use and then tightly capped after use to prevent
contamination from dirt and moisture. Refrigerant
oil will quickly absorb any moisture it comes in
contact with, therefore, special effort must be used
to keep all R-134a system components moisture-
free. Moisture in the refrigerant oil is very difficult
to remove and will cause a reliability problem with
the A/C compressor.

NOTE: Most reclaim/recycling equipment will mea-
sure the lubricant being removed during recovery.
This amount of lubricant should be added back into
the system. Refer to the reclaim/recycling equip-
ment manufacturers instructions.

It will not be necessary to check the oil level in the

A/C compressor or to add oil, unless there has been
an oil loss. An oil loss may occur due to a rupture or
leak from a refrigerant line, a connector fitting, a
component, or a component seal. If a leak occurs, add
30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system after the repair has been made.
Refrigerant oil loss will be evident at the leak point
by the presence of a wet, shiny surface around the
leak.

Refrigerant oil must be added when a receiver/

drier, A/C evaporator or A/C condenser is replaced.
See the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When an
A/C compressor is replaced, the refrigerant oil must
be drained from the old compressor and measured.
Drain all of the refrigerant oil from the new A/C com-
pressor, then fill the new compressor with the same
amount of refrigerant oil that was drained out of the
old compressor.

REFRIGERANT OIL CAPACITIES

COMPONENT NAME

ml.

oz.

Total System Fill

150 ml.

5.0 oz.

A/C Condenser

30 ml.

1.0 oz.

A/C Evaporator

60 ml.

2.0 oz.

Receiver/drier

30 ml.

1.0 oz.

A/C Compressor

Drain and measure
the oil from the old
compressor. See
text.

24 - 82

PLUMBING

REFRIGERANT (Continued)

SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE

DESCRIPTION

Refrigerant system service ports are used to

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

The high side service port is on the liquid line fit-

ting located on the receiver/drier. The low side ser-
vice port is on the A/C suction line located near the
A/C expansion valve (Fig. 29). Only the low side ser-
vice port valve core is serviceable.

NOTE: The protective caps aids in service port seal-
ing and help protects the refrigerant system from
contamination. Remember to always reinstall the
protective caps onto the service ports when refrig-
erant system service is complete.

Each of the service ports has a threaded plastic

protective cap installed over it from the factory. The
service port caps are serviceable items.

REMOVAL

CAUTIONS). Failure to follow the warnings and cau-
tions could result in possible personal injury or
death.

(1) Remove the protective caps from the low and

high side service ports (Fig. 30).

(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

CAUTION: Only the low side service port valve core
can be replaced. Do not attempt to replace the
valve core for the high side service port. If the high
side service port valve core requires service,
replacement of the A/C liquid line is required.

(3) Using a standard Schrader-type valve core tool,

remove the valve core from the low side service port
only.

(4) Install a plug in or tape over the opened low

side service port.

INSTALLATION

(1) Lubricate the A/C service port valve core 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 low side ser-

vice port.

Fig. 29 Refrigerant System Service Ports

1 - HIGH SIDE SERVICE PORT
2 - RECEIVER/DRIER
3 - LOW SIDE SERVICE PORT
4 - A/C EXPANSION VALVE

Fig. 30 A/C Service Ports

1 - HIGH SIDE PORT (NOT SERVICEABLE)
2 - A/C PRESSURE TRANSDUCER
3 - LOW SIDE PORT (SERVICEABLE)
4 - A/C LIQUID LINE (FRONT SECTION)

PLUMBING

24 - 83

(3) Using a standard Schrader-type valve core tool,

install and tighten the replacement valve core into
the low side service port.

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.

(4) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

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

(5) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE).

(6) Install the protective caps onto the A/C service

ports.

SUCTION LINE

REMOVAL

NOTE: The A/C suction line includes the low side
service port located on the section of the line near
the A/C expansion valve.

(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant

system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).

(2) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery

cable.

(3) Remove the air cleaner housing and the air

inlet tube (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/AIR INTAKE SYS-
TEM/AIR CLEANER HOUSING - REMOVAL).

(4) Remove the drain tube from the right end of

the wiper module.

(5) Remove the radiator fan (Refer to 7 - COOL-

ING/ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN - REMOVAL).

(6) Remove the nut that secures the A/C suction

line to the A/C compressor (Fig. 31).

(7) Disconnect the A/C suction line from the A/C

compressor and remove and discard the O-ring seal
and gasket.

(8) Install a plug in, or tape over the opened suc-

tion line fitting and the compressor port.

(9) Disengage the suction line from the routing clip

located on top of the right frame rail (Fig. 32).

(10) Remove the nut that secures the suction and

liquid lines to the A/C expansion valve.

(11) Disconnect the suction and liquid lines from

the A/C expansion valve and remove and discard the
O-ring seals.

(12) Install a plug in, or tape over the opened suc-

tion and liquid line fittings and expansion valve
ports.

(13) Remove the A/C suction line from the engine

compartment.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the A/C suction line into the engine

compartment.

(2) Remove the tape or plugs from the suction and

liquid line fittings and expansion valve ports.

(3) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean

refrigerant oil and install them on the suction and
liquid line fittings.

(4) Connect the suction and liquid lines to the A/C

expansion valve.

(5) Install the nut that secures the suction and liq-

uid lines to the A/C expansion valve. Tighten the nut
to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.).

(6) Engage the suction line to the routing clip

located on top of the right frame rail.

Fig. 31 A/C Suction Line to A/C Compressor

1 - A/C SUCTION LINE
2 - NUT
3 - A/C COMPRESSOR
4 - NUT
5 - A/C DISCHARGE LINE

24 - 84

PLUMBING

SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE (Continued)

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