Rear

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Be certain to adjust the refrigerant oil level when servicing the A/C refrigerant system Refrigerant Oil Level . Failure to properly adjust the refrigerant oil level will prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and can cause serious A/C compressor damage.

NOTE: When replacing multiple A/C system components, see the Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart to determine how much oil should be added to the refrigerant system Refrigerant Oil Level .

NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals is required anytime a refrigerant line is disconnected from the A/C expansion valve, or if the expansion valve is removed. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals may result in a refrigerant system leak.






NOTE: Illustration shown with rear heater-A/C housing removed from vehicle.

1. Remove the tape or plugs from the opened underbody refrigerant line fittings and the rear evaporator and expansion valve ports.
2. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the rear evaporator tube fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
3. Install the rear A/C expansion valve (3) onto the rear evaporator tubes (2) extending through the rear floor panel behind the right rear wheel housing.
4. Install two bolts (1) that secure the rear A/C expansion valve to the rear evaporator tubes. Tighten the bolts to 11 Nm (97 in. lbs.).





5. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the opened refrigerant line fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are made of a special material for the R-134a refrigerant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.

CAUTION: Use care when connecting the underbody refrigerant lines and sealing plate to the rear A/C expansion valve. DO NOT to hit the heater hose below. Contact with the heater hoses may result in damage to the rubber heater hose ends and replacement of the heater hose ends will then be required.

CAUTION: Use care when installing the underbody refrigerant lines and sealing plate to the rear A/C expansion valve. Carefully align the refrigerant line fittings ends with the A/C expansion valve prior to tightening the sealing plate retaining nut. Failure to follow this instruction may result in damage to the rubber O-rings and refrigerant line fittings ends.

6. Connect the underbody refrigerant lines (1 and 5) and the sealing plate (3) to the rear A/C expansion valve (2).
7. Install the nut (4) that secures the sealing plate to the rear A/C expansion valve. Tighten the nut to 11 Nm (97 in. lbs.).
8. Lower the vehicle.

CAUTION: Do NOT run the engine with a vacuum pump in operation or with a vacuum present within the A/C system when equipped with a variable displacement compressor. Failure to follow these instructions will result in serious A/C compressor damage.

9. Evacuate the refrigerant system Refrigerant System Evacuate.
10. Adjust the refrigerant oil level Refrigerant Oil Level.
11. Charge the A/C system Refrigerant System Charge.