OEM 2002 Dodge Intrepid A/C Accumulator

2002 Dodge Intrepid A/C Accumulator Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair an A/C Accumulator on 2002 Dodge Intrepid?

  A: The first step to working on an A/C accumulator is to remove the refrigerant from the system. For cars that have a 3.2/3.5 liter engine, take out the engine air inlet tube and the air distribution duct too. Then, get an 8mm hex bolt out of the A/C accumulator bracket, unscrew its nut and take out the lines to the expansion valve. With a prying instrument, gently detach the A/C accumulator bracket from the strut tower and cut the one A/C line joining the A/C accumulator with the condenser. Take out the old A/C accumulator from your car and part the line from it to the expansion valve, then move that small line over to the new A/C accumulator. When replacing the A/C accumulator, use brand new O-rings. While the system is open, plug or cap the openings in the liquid line to stop any water from entering. When setting up the piping, do not allow any pinches or sharp bends in the refrigerant and see that flexible refrigerant lines are positioned at least 80 millimeters (3 inches) from the exhaust manifold, with a bend radius of ideally 10 times the diameter of the hose. Check that all the connections in the refrigerant system are leak-free and tight and look at flexible hose refrigerant lines once a year to confirm they are in good condition and routed properly. Assemble the parts and put the lines in their places loosely first, so you don't harm the bike when tightening. Install the small tube from the A/C accumulator to the expansion valve found on the new A/C accumulator and then place the new A/C accumulator in the vehicle. Pull out the A/C line with the A/C accumulator on it and secure it with a fastener tightened to 13.6 Nm (10 ft. lbs.), then install the A/C accumulator bracket in the strut tower. Anchor the nut holding the A/C line to the end of the expansion valve and tighten it to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.). Then, put back the bolt that holds the A/C accumulator bracket. After that, join the engine air inlet tube and the air distribution duct, empty the refrigerant line and fill it back up.