Fluid Reservoir
Fluid Reservoir
• There are different versions of the reservoir and condenser. For correct allocation refer to => [ Condenser, Checking Version ] Testing and Inspection and the Parts Catalog.
• The reservoir may be attached to or integrated in the condenser, depending on the version of the condenser. If the condenser has an integrated reservoir, replace the dryer cartridge. Refer to All Except Hybrid and RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser or RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser.
Removed fluid reservoir contains refrigerant oil which must be restored to the refrigerant circuit (with new fluid reservoir). Adding oil depends on the type of complaint.
• If, for example, the reservoir (or condenser) was damaged during an accident (no refrigerant has leaked out, no moisture or dirt has gotten into the refrigerant circuit); drain the refrigerant oil from the removed reservoir (and the damaged condenser). Fill the refrigerant circuit (for example condenser) with the quantity of the drained refrigerant plus 10 cm3 with fresh refrigerant ; this way the refrigerant circuit can be easily repaired.
• If a certain amount of refrigerant oil has leaked due to an accident or contaminants or moisture has entered the refrigerant circuit, circuit must be flushed.
Removing
- Turn off the ignition.
- Drain the refrigerant circuit.
• Depending on the allocation of the service connection an on the refrigerant line, and on the version of the vehicle, it may be necessary to remove the additional reinforcement on the left suspension strut dome so that the service coupling of the service station can be connected (for example, on the Audi Q5).
- Remove the bolts (or clips) - 1, 2, 3 and 5 -. Refer to Removal and Installation.
- Remove the cover - 4 - from the lock carrier and disengage the radiator grille.
- Remove the bolts - arrows -.
- Remove the air guide - 1 - on the flange - 2 - for the air filter housing.
- Remove the front noise insulation.
• It may be necessary to remove the bumper cover first before removing the front noise insulation, for example, on the Audi A4 allroad..
Vehicles with charge air cooler or engine oil cooler, installed under the condenser
- Remove the condenser. Refer to All Except Hybrid and RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser or RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser.
All Vehicles
- Remove screws - A -.
- Remove the bolt - C - and the bracket - D - upward.
- Remove the reservoir - F - upward from the condenser - E - - arrow -.
• Be sure not to loose the rubber grommet - B - when removing the reservoir.
• Seal open connections on reservoir and condenser with suitable caps (to prevent dirt and moisture from entering).
Installing
Installation is done is reverse order, observe the following:
• Follow the instructions for installing the O-rings. Refer to => [ Refrigerant Circuit O-rings ] Refrigerant Circuit O-Rings.
• Keep the reservoir closed as long as possible. Only remove the cape immediately prior to installation (reservoir contains a desiccant bag which soon becomes saturated with moisture and thus unusable when reservoir is open).
- Clean the condenser surface - C -.
- Check the connections on the condenser and on the reservoir for damage.
- Replace the seals - D - and the O-rings - E -. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
- Coat the O-ring seals with refrigerant oil prior to installation. Refer to => [ Refrigerant Circuit O-rings ] Refrigerant Circuit O-Rings.
- Make sure the O-ring fits correctly inside the grooves - arrows - on each mount.
- Mount the reservoir - B - on the condenser and tighten the screws.
• Tightening specification: 10 Nm
- Pull the protective sleeve - A - over the connection.
Vehicles with charge air cooler, installed under the condenser
- Install the condenser. Refer to All Except Hybrid and RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser or RS5 => [ Condenser ] Condenser.
All Vehicles
- Install the front noise insulation..
• It may be necessary to remove the bumper cover first before removing the front noise insulation, for example, on the Audi A4 allroad.
- Install the air guide on the air filter housing flange.
- Install the cover on the lock carrier. Refer to Removal and Installation.
- Evacuate and fill the refrigerant circuit.
- Install the remaining removed components.
- Switch on the ignition.
- Check the Climatronic control module (J255) display and control head DTC memory and erase any displayed malfunctions if necessary. Refer to the Vehicle diagnostic tester in "Guided Fault Finding".
- Operate the A/C system after filling the refrigerant circuit. Refer to => [ A/C System, Operating after Filling Refrigerant Circuit ] A/C System, Operating after Filling Refrigerant Circuit.
• Note the information regarding operating the A/C system after filling.