Air conditioning refrigerant desiccant — replacement
Warning: The air conditioning system is under high pressure. DO NOT loosen any fittings or remove any components until after the system has been discharged. Air conditioning refrigerant must be properly discharged into an EPA-approved container at a dealer service department or an automotive air conditioning repair facility. Always wear eye protection when servicing the air conditioning system.
Note: These vehicles are not equipped with a traditional receiver-drier. Instead, a desiccant cartridge is built into the left side of the condenser. It should be replaced whenever the compressor is replaced or whenever a component has been replaced because of a leak in the system.
1. Have the air conditioning system dis- charged by a dealer service department or by an automotive air conditioning shop before proceeding (see Warning above).
2. Remove the condenser (see Oil pan — removal and installation).
3. Remove the splash guard between the bumper cover and the subframe.
4. Using a large Allen wrench or hex bit, unscrew the cap from the desiccant tube on the left side of the condenser (see illustration).
16.4 Typical air conditioning refrigerant desiccant cap
5. Pull the desiccant cartridge from the tube.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to use a new 0-ring on the cap.
7. Have the system evacuated, recharged and leak tested by the shop that discharged it.