Accumulator HVAC: Service and Repair
Accumulator, Removing And Installing
Removing
- Discharge A/C refrigerant system
- Remove complete front bumper:
- Move the lock carrier into service position:
- Remove charge air cooler or the secondary air injection pump.
- Remove bolts -A- and remove refrigerant lines -B-and -C-.
- Unscrew bolts -A-.
- Loosen notch on bracket for accumulator -B-from body
- Remove accumulator with bracket.
- Loosen screw -C-and remove accumulator from bracket -D-.
NOTE:
- Seal all open connections.
- The connection of the refrigerant lines differs, depending on engine type:
- Keep accumulator closed as long as possible; do not remove caps until just before installing. The accumulator contains a desiccant which will become saturated with moisture in a short time if accumulator is left open. This makes the accumulator unusable.
Installing
Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:
NOTE:
- The connection on the accumulator may be marked with "IN" (from evaporator) and "OUT" (to compressor).
- Removed accumulator contains refrigerant oil which must be restored to the refrigerant system (with new accumulator).
- The adaptation of the oil capacity depends on the type of repair and the state of the components:
- For example if the accumulator was damaged (no refrigerant escaped, no moisture or dirt entered the system), the air conditioning system can be repaired by weighing the old and the new accumulator: Fill new accumulator with refrigerant oil, until the weight of the removed accumulator is reached.
- If a undefined amount of refrigerant oil escaped or dirt and moisture entered the system, clean refrigerant circuit with compressed air and nitrogen.
- Install accumulator in bracket -D-.
- Hang bracket -D-with nose -B-engaged.
- Mount screws -A- and tighten with 8 Nm.
- Replace O-Ring-seals -D-(16.7 mm x 1.8 mm) and -E-(16.7 mm x 1.8 mm).
- Turn accumulator so that both refrigerant lines -B-and -C-can be stress free installed in the accumulator. Observe correct connection assignment.
- Mount refrigerant line with screw -A- on accumulator (tightening torque 25 Nm). When tightening refrigerant lines to accumulator, hold accumulator e.g. with oil filter strap (to avoid accumulator from turning).
- Tighten bolt -C-(tightening torque 8 Nm).
- Install all removed components again.