Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Motorcraft® Electric A/C Compressor Oil only must be used as a refrigerant system lubricant for hybrid vehicles. Addition of any oil other than Motorcraft® Electric A/C Compressor Oil to the hybrid vehicle refrigerant system will damage the electric Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor and contaminate the refrigerant system. Refer to the Refrigerant Oil Adding procedure in CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION & DIAGNOSTICS -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ (EXCEPT HYBRID) article.

NOTE: Use only the Air Conditioning (A/C) refrigerant compressor oil specified for this vehicle configuration. Use of any A/C refrigerant compressor oil other than what is specified will contaminate and damage the A/C system.

NOTE: Care must be taken to minimize exposure of the receiver/drier cartridge to outside air. If multiple Air Conditioning (A/C) system components are being removed and installed, the receiver/drier cartridge should be installed last. The new receiver/drier cartridge should not be removed from its packaging until it is ready to be installed. Evacuation of the A/C system must be started as soon as the receiver/drier cartridge is installed. Excessive exposure of the receiver/drier cartridge to outside air will result in moisture contamination of the receiver/drier cartridge desiccant.

NOTE: Installation of a new receiver/drier cartridge is not required when repairing the A/C system, except when there is physical evidence of contamination from a failed A/C compressor or damage to the receiver/drier cartridge. Damage to the receiver/drier cartridge includes physical damage or moisture contamination. Moisture contamination results only from a complete loss of refrigerant, and equalization of the refrigerant system pressure with atmospheric pressure for a period longer than one hour. If even a slight amount of positive refrigerant pressure is present in the refrigerant system before repairs are carried out, the receiver/drier cartridge does not need to be replaced.

Recover the refrigerant. For additional information, refer to CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION & DIAGNOSTICS -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ (EXCEPT HYBRID) article.
With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING article.
Remove the lower radiator air deflector.
Unscrew and remove the plastic receiver/drier cap.

Fig 1: Locating Plastic Receiver/Drier Cap
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If the receiver/drier plug is difficult to remove, open a refrigerant system fitting to relieve any vacuum created during refrigerant recovery, and attempt to remove the plug again.

Remove the receiver/drier plug.
1. Push the receiver/drier plug upwards and remove the snap ring.
2. Install the bolt included with the A/C desiccant cartridge service kit in the center of the receiver drier plug and remove the plug.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Snap Ring And Bolt On Receiver/Drier
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a suitable tool, grasp the receiver/drier cartridge grab handle and remove the receiver/drier cartridge.

Fig 3: Removing Receiver/Drier Cartridge
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- Lubricate the receiver/drier plug O-ring seals using residual refrigerant oil from inside the receiver/drier.
- Add the correct amount of clean PAG oil (non-hybrid) or electric A/C compressor oil (hybrid) to the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to the Refrigerant Oil Adding procedure in CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION & DIAGNOSTICS -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ (EXCEPT HYBRID) article.
Evacuate, leak test and charge the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION & DIAGNOSTICS -- FUSION, MILAN & MKZ (EXCEPT HYBRID) article.