refrigerant type CHRYSLER CARAVAN 2005 User Guide

(7) Remove the bolt that secures the liquid line
rear section fitting to the top of the receiver/drier.
(8) Disconnect the liquid line fitting from the
receiver/drier outlet port.
(9) Remove the seal from the liquid line fitting and
discard.
(10) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened liquid
line fitting and the receiver/drier outlet port.
(11) Remove the two nuts that secure the receiver/
drier mounting bracket to the weld studs on the side
of the right front strut tower.
(12) Remove the receiver/drier and mounting
bracket unit from the studs.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If the receiver/drier is being replaced, add 25
milliliters (0.8 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 and mounting
bracket unit onto the weld studs on the side of the
right front strut tower.
(2) Install the two nuts that secure the receiver/
drier mounting bracket to the studs. Tighten the
nuts to 10 N´m (89 in. lbs.).
(3) Remove the tape or plugs from the liquid line
rear section fitting for the receiver/drier and the
receiver/drier outlet port.
(4) Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean
refrigerant oil and install it on the liquid line fitting.
(5) Reconnect the liquid line fitting to the receiver/
drier outlet port on the top of the receiver/drier.
(6) Install the bolt that secures the liquid line fit-
ting to the receiver/drier. Tighten the bolt to 11 N´m
(97 in. lbs.).
(7) Remove the tape or plugs from the liquid line
front section fitting for the receiver/drier and the
receiver/drier inlet port.
(8) Lubricate a new rubber O-ring seal with clean
refrigerant oil and install it on the liquid line fitting.
(9) Reconnect the liquid line fitting to the receiver/
drier inlet port on the top of the receiver/drier.
(10) Install the bolt that secures the liquid line fit-
ting to the receiver/drier. Tighten the bolt to 11 N´m
(97 in. lbs.).
(11) Reinstall the air cleaner housing into the
right side of the engine compartment.
(12) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE).
(13) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM 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 refriger-
ants. This is because R-134a is a greenhouse gas and
can contribute to global warming.
Fig. 30 Reciever/Drier - LHD Shown, RHD Typical
1 - A/C GROUND STRAP (IF EQUIPPED)
2 - NUT (IF EQUIPPED)
3 - WELD STUD (IF EQUIPPED)
4 - A/C PRESSURE TRANSDUCER
5 - WELD STUD (2)
6 - A/C EXPANSION VALVE
7 - A/C LIQUID LINE (REAR SECTION)
8 - LIQUID LINE EXTENSION (REAR A/C ONLY)
9 - NUT (2)
10 - RECEIVER/DRIER
11 - ROUTING CLIP
12 - A/C LIQUID LINE (FRONT SECTION)
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-93
RECEIVER / DRIER (Continued)

OPERATION
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12
refrigerant in an air conditioning system. Even a
small amount of R-12 added to an R-134a refrigerant
system will cause compressor failure, refrigerant oil
sludge or poor air conditioning 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 refriger-
ant 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 system is not accidentally contaminated with
the wrong refrigerant (R-12). There are also labels
posted in the engine compartment of the vehicle and
on the compressor identifying to service technicians
that the air conditioning system is equipped with
R-134a.
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 con-
tains a different additive package. The compressor
used in this vehicle is designed to use an ND-8 PAG
refrigerant oil. Use only refrigerant oil of this same
type to service the refrigerant system.
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 compressor damage, and too much can
reduce air conditioning system performance. PAG
refrigerant oil is much 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
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT - WARNING - A/C PLUMBING) and (Refer to
24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT - CAUTION - A/C PLUMBING).
CAUTION: Use only PAG oils that are designed to
work with R-134a refrigerant and the A/C compres-
sor in the vehicle. Refer to the underhood A/C Sys-
tem Specification Label.
It is important to have the correct amount of lubri-
cant in the A/C refrigerant system to ensure proper
lubrication of the A/C compressor. Too little lubricant
will result in damage to the compressor. Too much
lubricant will reduce the cooling capacity of the A/C
system and consequently result in higher discharge
air temperatures.
The lubricant used in the compressor is polyalka-
lene glycol PAG lubricant. Only the refrigerant lubri-
cant approved for use with this vehicle should be
used to service the system. Do not use any other
lubricant. The lubricant container should be kept
tightly capped until it is ready for use. Refrigerant
lubricant will quickly absorb any moisture it comes
in contact with.
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, connector fitting, compo-
nent or component seal. If a leak occurs, add 30 mil-
liliters (1 fluid ounce) of the recommended
refrigerant oil to the refrigerant system after the
repair has been made. Refrigerant oil loss will be evi-
dent at the leak point by the presence of a wet, shiny
surface around the leak.
REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL CHECK
When an air conditioning system is first assembled
at the factory, all components (except the A/C com-
pressor) are refrigerant oil free. After the refrigerant
system has been charged with (R-134a) refrigerant
and operated, the oil in the A/C compressor is dis-
persed through the lines and components. The A/C
evaporator, A/C condenser, and receiver/drier will
retain a significant amount of oil. Refer to the A/C
Component Refrigerant Oil Capacities table. When a
component is replaced, the specified amount of refrig-
erant oil must be added. When the compressor is
replaced, the amount of oil that is retained in the
24 - 94 PLUMBING - FRONTRS
REFRIGERANT (Continued)

rest of the system must be drained from the replace-
ment A/C compressor. The oil capacity of the system,
minus the amount of oil still in the remaining com-
ponents (refer to the oil capacity chart below) can be
measured and poured into the suction port of the A/C
compressor. When a line or component has ruptured
and oil has escaped, the receiver/drier must be
replaced along with the ruptured component.
Example: On this A/C system the front A/C evapo-
rator retains 50 ml. (1.7 oz.). The A/C condenser
retains 50 ml. (1.7 oz.) of oil, and front A/C system oil
capacity is 180 ml. (6.1 oz.).
180 ml. ± 100 ml. = 80 ml. (2.7 oz.).
A/C COMPONENT REFRIGERANT OIL
CAPACITIES
Front A/C Front & Rear
A/C
COMPONENT ml fl oz ml fl oz
Total System Fill 180 6.1 230 7.8
Receiver/Drier 25 0.8 25 0.8
A/C Condenser 50 1.7 50 1.7
Front Evaporator 50 1.7 50 1.7
Rear Evap. (including
underbody lines)N/A N/A 50 1.7
A/C Compressor Drain and measure the oil
from the old A/C compressor
- See text above.
VERIFY REFRIGERANT LUBRICANT LEVEL
(1) Recover the refrigerant from the system.
(2) Disconnect the refrigerant lines from the A/C
compressor. Cap open lines to prevent moisture from
entering the system.
(3) Remove A/C compressor from the vehicle.
(4) From the suction and discharge ports on the
A/C compressor, drain the lubricant from the com-
pressor.
(5) Add the system capacity minus the capacity of
the components that have not been replaced. Refer to
the A/C Component Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart.
Add lubricant through the suction and discharge
ports on the A/C compressor.
(6) Install the A/C compressor and connect the
refrigerant lines. Then evacuate and charge refriger-
ant system.
(7) Most reclaim/recycling equipment will measure
the lubricant being removed. This amount of lubri-
cant should be added back to the system. If a new
A/C compressor is being installed, drain the lubricant
from the used compressor, measure the amount
drained and discard the used lubricant. Drain the
lubricant from the new A/C compressor into a cleancontainer. Return the amount of lubricant measured
from the used compressor, plus the amount reclaimed
from the system back into the new A/C compressor.
Refer to the reclaim/recycling equipment manufactur-
ers instructions.
SERVICE PORT VALVE CORE
DESCRIPTION
A/C SERVICE PORT VALVE CORES
The low side valve is located on the suction line
near the A/C compressor. The low side A/C service
port valve core is a serviceable item. The high side
A/C service port valve core is located on the liquid
line fitting attached to the top of the receiver/drier.
The high side A/C service port valve core is not a sep-
arate serviceable item. If the high side service port
valve core is faulty or damaged, the front section of
the liquid line will require replacement.
REMOVAL
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT - WARNING - A/C PLUMBING) and (Refer to
24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT - CAUTION - A/C PLUMBING).
(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - FRONT/REFRIGERANT - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT
RECOVERY).
(2) Using a standard Schrader-type valve core tool,
remove the valve core from the low side A/C service
port located on the suction line.
(3) Install a plug in or tape over the opened low
side A/C service port.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate the low side A/C service port valve
core with clean refrigerant oil prior to installation.
Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for
the compressor in the vehicle.
(2) Remove the tape or plug from the A/C service
port located on the suction line near the A/C com-
pressor.
(3) Using a standard Schrader-type valve core tool,
install and tighten the replacement valve core into
the low side A/C service port.
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-95
REFRIGERANT OIL (Continued)

(9) Remove the evaporator line extension seal
plate from the expansion valve stud.
(10) Remove the evaporator line extension from
the expansion valve and the rear HVAC housing
base.
(11) Remove the seals from the evaporator line
extension fittings and discard.
(12) Install plugs in, or tape over the opened evap-
orator line extension fittings and both expansion
valve ports.
INSTALLATION
REAR A/C EVAPORATOR
NOTE: If the rear A/C evaporator is being replaced,
add 50 milliliters (1.7 fluid ounces) of refrigerant oil
to the refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of
the type recommended for the A/C compressor in
the vehicle.
(1) Carefully lower the rear A/C evaporator and its
foam wrap into the lower half of the rear HVAC
housing.
(2) Position the upper half of the rear HVAC hous-
ing onto the lower half.
(3) Install the three metal spring clips that secure
the upper half of the rear HVAC housing to the lower
half.
(4) Install the three screws that secure the upper
half of the rear HVAC housing to the lower half.
Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17 in. lbs.).
(5) Install the rubber grommet that seals the evap-
orator inlet and outlet tubes to the rear HVAC hous-
ing near the expansion valve.
(6) Reinstall the rear expansion valve onto the
rear A/C evaporator (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - REAR/EXPANSION
VALVE - INSTALLATION).
(7) Reinstall the rear evaporator extension line
onto the expansion valve (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - REAR/EVAPO-
RATOR - INSTALLATION - EVAPORATOR EXTEN-
SION LINE).
(8) Reinstall the rear HVAC housing into the vehi-
cle (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
DISTRIBUTION - REAR/REAR HEATER-A/C
HOUSING - INSTALLATION).
REAR A/C EVAPORATOR LINE EXTENSION
(1) Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator
line extension fittings and both expansion valve
ports.
(2) Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean
refrigerant oil and install them on the evaporator
line extension fittings.(3) Position the evaporator line extension to the
expansion valve and the rear HVAC housing base.
(4) Position the evaporator line extension seal
plate over the expansion valve stud.
(5) Install the nut that secures the evaporator line
extension seal plate to the expansion valve stud.
Tighten the nut to 23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(6) Position the expansion valve bracket over the
expansion valve stud.
(7) Install the two screws that secure the expan-
sion valve bracket to the lower rear HVAC housing.
Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17 in. lbs.).
(8) Install the nut that secures the expansion
valve bracket to the expansion valve stud. Tighten
the nut to 23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(9) Carefully restore the expansion valve foam
insulator wrap back around the expansion valve.
(10) Position the plate that captures and seals the
evaporator line extension onto the rear HVAC hous-
ing base.
(11) Install the screw that secures the capture
plate to the base of the rear HVAC housing. Tighten
the screw to 2 N´m (17 in. lbs.).
(12) Install the rear HVAC housing into the vehi-
cle (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
DISTRIBUTION/HVAC HOUSING -
INSTALLATION).
A/C EXPANSION VALVE
DESCRIPTION
The rear ªHº valve-type thermal expansion valve
(TXV) is located at the rear of the rear HVAC hous-
ing between the evaporator line extension and the
evaporator coil. High-pressure, low temperature liq-
uid refrigerant from the liquid line passes through
the expansion valve orifice, converting it into a low-
pressure, low-temperature mixture of liquid and gas
before it enters the evaporator coil.
OPERATION
A mechanical sensor in the expansion valve control
head monitors the temperature and pressure of the
refrigerant leaving the evaporator coil through the
suction line, and adjusts the orifice size at the liquid
line to let the proper amount of refrigerant into the
evaporator coil to meet the vehicle cooling require-
ments. Controlling the refrigerant flow through the
evaporator ensures that none of the refrigerant leav-
ing the evaporator is still in a liquid state, which
could damage the compressor.
The rear A/C expansion valve cannot be adjusted
or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be
replaced.
24 - 100 PLUMBING - REARRS
A/C EVAPORATOR (Continued)