Air conditioning condenser — removal and installation
Warning: The air conditioning system is under high pressure. Do not loosen any hose fittings or remove any components until the system has been discharged. Air conditioning refrigerant must be properly discharged into an EPA-approved recovery/recycling unit by a dealer service department or an automotive air conditioning repair facility. Always wear eye protection when disconnecting air conditioning system fittings.
Caution: The receiver/drier should be replaced whenever the condenser is replaced.
1. Have the refrigerant discharged by an air conditioning technician.
2. Remove the engine covers (see Four-cylinder engines or V6 engine).
3. Remove the air cleaner assembly and air inlet duct (see Fuel and exhaust systems).
4. Remove the front bumper (see Body).
5. Remove the radiator support (see Radiator and coolant reservoir — removal and installation).
6. Remove the hood lock support mounting fasteners and support.
7. Disconnect the inlet and outlet fittings (see illustration). Cap the open fittings immediately to keep moisture and dirt out of the system.
14.7 Remove the bolts holding the refrigerant lines to the right side of the condenser — on some models, the line is clamped to the side of the condenser as well
8. Remove the mounting nuts/bolts (see illustration), then pull the condenser up and out of the vehicle.
14.8 Remove the fasteners for the condenser upper and lower mounting brackets
9. Install the condenser, brackets and bolts, making sure the rubber cushions fit on the mounting points properly.
10. Reconnect the refrigerant lines, using new 0-rings where needed.
11. Reinstall the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal.
12. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by the shop that discharged it.