radiator LAND ROVER DEFENDER 1996 Owner's Guide

82AIR CONDITIONING
2
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Operation
Evaporator unit and expansion valve
High pressure liquid refrigerant is delivered to the
expansion valve which is the controlling device for the
air conditioning system. A severe pressure drop
occurs across the valve and as the refrigerant flows
through the evaporator it picks up heat from the
ambient air, boils and vaporizes. As this change of
state occurs, a large amount of latent heat is
absorbed. The evaporator is therefore cooled and as
a result heat is extracted from the air flowing across
the evaporator. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator,
on its way to the compressor, as a low pressure gas.
An evaporator sensor measures the air temperature at
the evaporator and engages or disengages the
compressor clutch to prevent icing of the air ways.
Compressor
The compressor, a pump specially designed to raise
the pressure of the refrigerant, is mounted on the front
of the engine and is driven by an independent drive
belt from the crankshaft pulley. The compressor draws
vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator. It is
compressed with a resulting rise in temperature and
passed on to the condenser as a hot, high pressure
vapour.
Condenser
The condenser is mounted directly in front of the
radiator and consists of a refrigerant coil mounted in a
series of thin cooling fins to provide the maximum
heat transfer. Air flow across the condenser is induced
by vehicle movement and assisted by two electric fans
attached to the frame of the condenser. The
refrigerant high pressure vapour enters the condenser
inlet on the RH side. As the vapour passes through
the condenser coils the air flow, assisted by the two
fans, carries the latent heat away from the condenser.
This induces a change of state resulting in the
refrigerant condensing into a high pressure warm
liquid. From the condenser, the refrigerant continues
to the receiver/ drier.
Receiver/drier
This component acts as a reservoir and is used to
hold extra refrigerant until it is needed by the
evaporator. The drier within the receiver unit contains
a filter and dessicant (drying material) which absorb
moisture and prevent dessicant dust from being
carried with the refrigerant into the system.AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER CONTROLS -
LH DRIVE
1. Temperature control
Move the lever upwards (RED) to increase air
temperature, or downwards (BLUE) to reduce air
temperature.
2. Air conditioning switch
Press the switch (indicator lamp illuminates) to
activate the air conditioning. Press again to switch off.
3. Air recirculation control
Move the lever fully upwards to activate air
recirculation. Move the lever fully downwards to
cancel recirculation.
NOTE: Prolonged recirculation may cause
the windows to mist up.
4. Air distribution control
Lever fully up - air to windscreen vents (also provides
some air to the footwell).
Lever midway - air to fascia vents (also provides some
air to the footwell).
Lever fully down - air to footwell vents (also provides
some air to the windscreen).

82AIR CONDITIONING
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ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM TEST
1.Place the vehicle in a ventilated, shaded area
free from excessive draught, with the doors and
windows open.
2.Check that the surface of the condenser is not
restricted with dirt, leaves, flies, etc. Do not
neglect to check the surface between the
condenser and the radiator. Clean as necessary.
3.Switch on the ignition and the air conditioner air
flow control. Check that the blower is operating
efficiently at low, medium and high speeds.
Switch off the blower and the ignition.
4.Check that the evaporator condensate drain
tubes are open and clear.
5.Check the tension of the compressor driving belt,
and adjust if necessary.
6.Inspect all connections for the presence of
refrigerant oil. If oil is evident, check for leaks,
and repair as necessary.
NOTE: The compressor oil is soluble in
Refrigerant R134a and is deposited when
the refrigerant evaporates from a leak.
7.Start the engine.
8.Set the temperature controls to cold and switch
the air conditioner blower control on and off
several times, checking that the magnetic clutch
on the compressor engages and releases each
time.
9.With the temperature control at maximum
cooling and the blower control at high speed,
warm up the engine and fast idle at 1000
rev/min.
10.Repeat at 1800 rev/min.
11.Gradually increase the engine speed to the high
range and check the sight glass at intervals.
12.Check for frosting on the service valves.
13.Check the high pressure hoses and connections
by hand for varying temperature. Low
temperature indicates a restriction or blockage at
that point.
14.Switch off the air conditioning blower and stop
the engine.
15.If the air conditioning equipment is still not
satisfactory, carry out a pressure test as
previously described in this section.PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING REFRIGERANT
LINES
WARNING: Wear eye and hand protection
when disconnecting components
containing refrigerant. Plug all exposed
connections immediately.
1.When disconnecting any hose or pipe
connection the system must be discharged of all
pressure. Proceed cautiously, regardless of
gauge readings. Open connections slowly,
keeping hands and face well clear, so that no
injury occurs if there is liquid in the line. If
pressure is noticed, allow it to bleed off slowly.
2.Lines, flexible end connections and components
must be capped immediately they are opened to
prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt.
3.Any dirt or grease on fittings must be wiped off
with a clean alcohol dampened cloth. Do not use
chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene. If
dirt, grease or moisture cannot be removed from
inside the hoses, they must be replaced with
new hoses.
4.All replacement components and flexible end
connections must be sealed, and only opened
immediately prior to making the connection.
5.Ensure the components are at room temperature
before uncapping, to prevent condensation of
moisture from the air that enters.
6.Components must not remain uncapped for
longer than 15 minutes. In the event of delay, the
caps must be fitted.
7.Receiver/driers must never be left uncapped as
they contain Silica Gel crystals which will absorb
moisture from the atmosphere. A receiver/ drier
left uncapped must not be used, fit a new unit.
8.The compressor shaft must not be rotated until
the system is entirely assembled and contains a
charge of refrigerant.
9.A new compressor contains an initial charge of
refrigerant oil. The compressor also contains a
holding charge of gas when received which
should be retained by leaving the seals in place
until the pipes are re-connected.
10.The receiver/drier should be the last component
connected to the system to ensure optimum
dehydration and maximum moisture protection of
the system.

82AIR CONDITIONING
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REPAIR
8.Remove 4 bolts and large packing washers
securing fan cowling brackets to wing sides.
9.Remove 4 nuts securing fan cowling to lower
mounting bracket and lift complete assembly
from condenser.
10.Remove 2 bolts securing bonnet striker support
plate and cross braces to grille top panel.
11.Remove 2 bolts securing cross braces to front
wings.
12.Lift condenser, from bottom mounting lugs and
carefully ease forwards to clear top grille panel.
13.Lift condenser, complete with receiver/drier, from
vehicle taking care to clear high and low
pressure hose/pipes at side of radiator.
14.Disconnect condenser and receiver/drier pipes.
15.Remove clamp bolts and release receiver/drier if
a new condenser is to be fitted.
16.Discard all pipe connection 'O' rings. Cap or plug
all connections to prevent ingress of dirt and
moisture.Refit
17.Coat unions, threads and new 'O' rings with
refrigerant oil prior to reassembly.
18.Secure receiver/drier to mounting clamps.
19.Fit condenser and receiver/drier pipes.
20.Lower condenser into position ensuring high and
low pressure pipes are located between radiator
and front wing.
21.Secure cross braces and bonnet striker support
plate to top grille.
22.Secure cross braces to front wings.
23.Secure fan cowl assembly to lower mounting
bracket and front wings.
24.Fit high pressure pipe at evaporator.
25.Fit condenser low pressure pipe at compressor.
26.Connect multi-plug at receiver/drier dual
pressure switch.
27.Connect fan motor lead multi-plug.
28.Evacuate and recharge air conditioning system
See Adjustment, Refrigerant recovery,
recycling, recharging.
29.Reconnect battery.
30.Fit grille panel.