Air Conditioning: Other Land Rover Range Rover III facelift

A/C COMPRESSOR

The air conditioning (A/C) compressor circulates refrigerant around the system by compressing low pressure, low temperature vapor from the evaporator and discharging the resultant high pressure, high temperature vapor to the condenser. Although similar in appearance, the air conditioning (A/C) compressor installed on TdV8 vehicles differs slightly to the one installed on 4.2L and 4.4L vehicles.

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The air conditioning (A/C) compressor fitted to both petrol and diesel vehicles is a variable displacement unit. The secondary accessory drive belt, driven by the engine crankshaft, drives the air conditioning (A/C) compressor via a pulley and an electromagnetic clutch. Operation of the clutch is controlled by a power feed from the automatic temperature control (ATC) module.

The air conditioning (A/C) compressor is a 7 cylinder swash plate unit with a minimum displacement of 5.5 cm 3 /rev (0.34 in 3 /rev) and maximum displacement of 163 cm 3 /rev (9.95 in 3 /rev). A control valve in the air conditioning (A/C) compressor automatically adjusts the displacement (i.e. flow of refrigerant), between the minimum and maximum values, to match the thermal load of the evaporator. By matching the refrigerant flow to the thermal load of the evaporator, the variable air conditioning (A/C) compressor maintains a relatively constant evaporator temperature of approximately 3 to 4°C (37 to 39°F).

To protect the refrigerant system from unacceptably high pressure, a pressure relief valve is installed in the outlet side of the air conditioning (A/C) compressor. The pressure relief valve is set to open at 3.5 to 4.1 MPa (508 to 595 lbf/in 2 ) and vents excess pressure into the engine compartment. The pressure relief valve closes again when the pressure decreases to 3.01 MPa (437 lbf/in 2 ).

The clutch of the air conditioning (A/C) compressor incorporates a thermal cut-off fuse, which disconnects the power feed from the automatic temperature control (ATC) module if the temperature increases to 182 ± 5 °C (360 ± 9 °F).

Scheme 47

The condenser transfers heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air to convert the vapor from the air conditioning (A/C) compressor into a liquid. A receiver drier module, integrated onto the left-hand (LH) side of the condenser, incorporates a filter and a desiccant to remove solid impurities and moisture from the refrigerant. The receiver drier module also functions as a reservoir for liquid refrigerant, to accommodate changes of heat load at the evaporator.

The condenser is installed immediately in front of the radiator.

The condenser is classified as a sub-cooling condenser and consists of a fin and tube heat exchanger installed between two end tanks.

4.2L AND 4.4L

Divisions in the end tanks separate the heat exchanger into a three pass upper (condenser) section and a single pass lower (sub-cooler) section, which are interconnected by the receiver drier module. The desiccant cluster and the filter in the receiver drier module are serviceable items retained in position by a threaded plug.

TDV8

Divisions in the end tanks separate the heat exchanger into a four pass upper (condenser) section and a two pass lower (sub-cooler) section. A connector block on the left end tank of the condenser provides connections for the high pressure lines from the A/C (air conditioning) compressor and the evaporator. Two pipes at the bottom of the right end tank of the condenser provide connections for the receiver drier.

THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE

The thermostatic expansion valve meters the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, to match the refrigerant flow with the heat load of the air passing through the evaporator matrix.

The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator act on the thermostatic expansion valve to control the volume of refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. The warmer the air flowing through the evaporator matrix, the more heat available to evaporate refrigerant and thus the greater the volume of refrigerant allowed through the metering valve.

Scheme 48

The evaporator is installed in the heater assembly between the blower and the heater matrix, to absorb heat from the exterior or recirculated air. Low pressure, low temperature refrigerant changes from liquid to vapor in the evaporator, absorbing large quantities of heat as it changes state.

Most of the moisture in the air passing through the evaporator condenses into water, which drains through the floorpan to the underside of the vehicle through two drain tubes.

REFRIGERANT LINES

To maintain similar flow velocities around the system, the diameter of the refrigerant lines varies to suit the two pressure/temperature regimes. The larger diameters are installed in the low pressure/temperature regime and the smaller diameters are installed in the high pressure/temperature regime.

Low and high pressure charging connections are incorporated into the refrigerant lines near the front RH corner of the engine compartment.

CONTROL DIAGRAM

Note. A = Refrigerant liquid; B = Refrigerant vapor

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1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-522601-S06524472732013011500000) .
2. Recover the air conditioning (A/C) refrigerant. Refer to «Air Conditioning (A/C) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging»(ref-522646-S33588730062013011500000) .
3. Remove the air cleaner. Refer to «Air Cleaner»(ref-522607-S30905380822013011500000) .
4. Disconnect the A/C clutch electrical connector.
5. Disconnect the refrigerant lines from the A/C compressor. Remove the 2 bolts. Remove and discard the 2 O-ring seals.
6. Raise and support the vehicle.
7. Remove the radiator splash shield. Refer to «Radiator Splash Shield»(ref-522604-S29075290552013011500000) .
8. Release the accessory drive belt. Rotate the tensioner assembly counter-clockwise. Release the accessory drive belt from the power steering pump pulley.
9. Release the A/C compressor. Fully loosen the upper front bolt. Remove the remaining 2 bolts.
10. Reposition the A/C compressor mounting bracket. Remove the 2 bolts.
11. Remove the A/C compressor. Remove the bolt.