REFRIGERANT
DESCRIPTION
The refrigerant used in this air conditioning sys-
tem is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R-134a.
Unlike R-12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC),
R-134a refrigerant does not contain ozone-depleting
chlorine. R-134a refrigerant is a non-toxic, non-flam-
mable, clear, and colorless liquefied gas.
Even though R-134a does not contain chlorine, it
must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC-type
refrigerants. This is because R-134a is a greenhouse
gas and can contribute to global warming.
OPERATION
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12
refrigerant in an air conditioning system. Even a
small amount of R-12 added to an R-134a refrigerant
system will cause compressor failure, refrigerant oil
sludge or poor air conditioning system performance.
In addition, the PolyAlkylene Glycol (PAG) synthetic
refrigerant oils used in an R-134a refrigerant system
are not compatible with the mineral-based refriger-
ant oils used in an R-12 refrigerant system.
R-134a refrigerant system service ports, service
tool couplers and refrigerant dispensing bottles have
all been designed with unique fittings to ensure that
an R-134a system is not accidentally contaminated
with the wrong refrigerant (R-12). There are also
labels posted in the engine compartment of the vehi-
cle and on the compressor identifying to service tech-
nicians that the air conditioning system is equipped
with R-134a.
REFRIGERANT OIL
DESCRIPTION
The refrigerant oil used in R-134a refrigerant sys-
tems is a synthetic-based, PolyAlkylene Glycol (PAG),
wax-free lubricant. Mineral-based R-12 refrigerant
oils are not compatible with PAG oils, and should
never be introduced to an R-134a refrigerant system.
There are different PAG oils available, and each
contains a different additive package. The 10PA17
compressor used in this vehicle is designed to use an
ND8 PAG refrigerant oil. Use only refrigerant oil of
this same type to service the refrigerant system.
OPERATION
After performing any refrigerant recovery or recy-
cling operation, always replenish the refrigerant sys-
tem with the same amount of the recommended
refrigerant oil as was removed. Too little refrigerant
oil can cause compressor damage, and too much can
reduce air conditioning system performance.PAG refrigerant oil is much more hygroscopic than
mineral oil, and will absorb any moisture it comes
into contact with, even moisture in the air. The PAG
oil container should always be kept tightly capped
until it is ready to be used. After use, recap the oil
container immediately to prevent moisture contami-
nation.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL
LEVEL
When an air conditioning system is assembled at
the factory, all components except the compressor are
refrigerant oil free. After the refrigerant system has
been charged and operated, the refrigerant oil in the
compressor is dispersed throughout the refrigerant
system. The accumulator, evaporator, condenser, and
compressor will each retain a significant amount of
the needed refrigerant oil.
It is important to have the correct amount of oil in
the refrigerant system. This ensures proper lubrica-
tion of the compressor. Too little oil will result in
damage to the compressor. Too much oil will reduce
the cooling capacity of the air conditioning system.
It will not be necessary to check the oil level in the
compressor or to add oil, unless there has been an oil
loss. An oil loss may occur due to a rupture or leak
from a refrigerant line, a connector fitting, a compo-
nent, or a component seal. If a leak occurs, add 30
milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system after the repair has been made.
Refrigerant oil loss will be evident at the leak point
by the presence of a wet, shiny surface around the
leak.
Refrigerant oil must be added when a accumulator,
evaporator coil, or condenser are replaced. See the
Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When a compressor
is replaced, the refrigerant oil must be drained from
the old compressor and measured. Drain all of the
refrigerant oil from the new compressor, then fill the
new compressor with the same amount of refrigerant
oil that was drained out of the old compressor.
Refrigerant Oil Capacities
Component ml fl oz
A/C System 130 4.40
Receiver Drier 70 2.37
Condenser 10 0.34
Evaporator 50 1.69
Compressordrain and measure
the oil from the old
compressor - see
text.
WJPLUMBING 24 - 75
VISCOUS HEATER
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
The diesel engine has an engine mounted mechan-
ical device called a Viscous Heater that is used to
heat the coolant coming from the engine to the
heater core. The Viscous Heater is driven by the
engine fan belt and has a electro-mechanical clutch
which is controlled by the HVAC control unit.
DESCRIPTION - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
The basic viscous heater clutch assembly consists
of a stationary electromagnetic coil, a hub bearing
and pulley assembly and a clutch plate. The electro-
magnetic coil unit and the hub bearing and pulley
assembly are each retained on the nose of the com-
pressor front housing with snap rings (Fig. 17). The
clutch plate is keyed to the viscous heater shaft and
secured with a nut. These components provide the
means to engage and disengage the viscous heater
from the engine accessory drive belt.
OPERATION
OPERATION - VISCOUS HEATER
The Viscous Heater is driven by the engine fan
belt. The Viscous Heater has an electro-mechanical
clutch that receives a signal from the HVAC control
head and the Viscous Heater controller that ener-
gizes and engages the clutch. Once engaged theclutch allows the Viscous Heater to increase the tem-
perature of the coolant flowing to the heater core,
which provides heat the passenger compartment
quicker than normal engines without the Viscous
Heater. The Viscous Heater generates heat by means
of friction which heats a special Silicon Oil within its
housing which is then transferred to the engine cool-
ant when the coolant passes over fins within the
pump. Please note that the coolant is isolated from
the silicon oil within the pump housing. When
demand for passenger compartment heat decreases
the Viscous Heater clutch will receive an input from
the Viscous heater controller to disengage.
OPERATION - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
When the clutch coil is energized, it magnetically
draws the clutch into contact with the pulley and
drives the viscous heater shaft. When the coil is not
energized the pulley freewheels on the clutch hub
bearing, which is part of the pulley. The viscous
heater clutch and coil are the only serviced parts on
the viscous heater assembly. If the viscous heater is
inoperative or damaged the entire assembly must be
replaced. The viscous heater clutch engagement is
controlled by several components: the viscous heater
controller, the engine powertrain control module and
the HVAC control head.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - VISCOUS HEATER
(1) Drain the engine coolant(Refer to 7 - COOL-
ING/ENGINE - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(2) Remove the engine accessory drive belt(Refer to
7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the heater hose clamps at the Viscous
Heater.
(4) Remove the heater hoses from the Viscous
Heater.
(5) Unplug the Viscous Heater clutch electrical
connector.
(6) Remove the bolts holding the Viscous Heater to
the mounting bracket.
(7) Remove the Viscous Heater from the vehicle.
REMOVAL - VISCOUS HEATER CLUTCH
(1) The viscous heater clutch can be serviced in
the vehicle and the cooling system does not have to
be drained.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the serpentine drive belt(Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
Fig. 17 CLUTCH ASSEMBLY- typical
1 - CLUTCH PLATE
2 - SHAFT KEY
3 - PULLEY
4 - COIL
5 - CLUTCH SHIMS
6 - SNAP RING
7 - SNAP RING
24 - 76 PLUMBINGWJ
