Audi Q3: Evaporator, Removing and Installing

Removing

- Removing the air distribution housing. Refer to → Chapter "Air Distribution Housing, Removing and Installing".

- Remove the spacer foam -6-.

- Remove the bolts -1 and 3-.

- Remove the air distribution housing upper section -5- from the lower section -4- by releasing the retainers -2--arrow-.

- Remove the evaporator -A- from the evaporator housing lower section.

- Remove the expansion valve. Refer to → Chapter "Expansion Valve, Removing and Installing".

- Remove the seal/insulation -B- by pulling the moving part to the side.

- Remove the retaining plate -C- for the refrigerant lines.

Installing

Installation is done is reverse order, observe the following:

- Clean the air guide housing lower section and the condensation water drain before inserting the evaporator.

- The seal -F- attached to the evaporator must be bonded all around - check for damage.

- Replace the O-ring seals. For the correct version, refer to the Parts Catalog.

- Insert the O-ring seals on the connection pipes -D and E- to the evaporator.

  Note

• The expansion valve is available in different versions (same housing but a different control characteristic). Therefore, to ensure the exact allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.
• Coat the O-ring seals lightly with refrigerant oil prior to installation. Refer to → Chapter "Refrigerant Circuit Seals".
• Inspect the refrigerant pipes leading to the evaporator for debris and damage.
• Check O-ring seals for proper seating on evaporator connecting pipes.
• If the heat protection insulation -2- is missing or not installed correctly, it can cause reduced output of the A/C system (change of the set control characteristic due to radiant heat).

Evaporator, Cleaning

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B-
• Ultrasound A/C Cleaner - Airco-Clean Fluid -VAS6189/1-
• Suction Nozzle With Brush -VAS6288-
• Commercially available vacuum cleaner

Procedure

- Check by changing from fresh air mode to recirculating air mode to see whether the odor is actually originating from the A/C unit evaporator. Refer to → Chapter "Odors in Vehicles with A/C System".

- Check the plenum chamber water drain and clean if necessary. Refer to → Chapter "Plenum Chamber Water Drain, Checking".

- Remove the dust and pollen filter. Refer to → Chapter "Dust and Pollen Filter, Removing and Installing".

- Clean the installation shaft for the dust and pollen filter.

- Close the opening on the A/C unit for the dust and pollen filter.

- Start the engine.

- Close the windows, sunroof and rear lid.

- Open all instrument panel vents.

Vehicles with Manually Controlled A/C System:

- Set the airflow direction to "instrument panel vents" via the air distribution knob -4-.

- Switch on the "recirculating air mode" on the A/C Control Module -J301- control head and switch off the A/C compressor.

• The indicator lamp in the button -3- illuminates.
• The indicator lamp in the button -2- does not illuminate.

- Set the lowest temperature possible.

• Temperature knob -1- at the "cold" stop.

- Set the level "1" on the fresh-air blower knob -5-.

Vehicles with Automatic Climate Control System:

- Switch on the "recirculating air mode" on the Climatronic Control Module -J255- control head and switch off the A/C compressor.

• The indicator lamp in the button -3- illuminates.
• The indicator lamp in the button -1- does not illuminate.

- Set the lowest temperature possible.

• Temperature preset via the knobs -2 and 8- - "LO" for the driver and front passenger side in the display -6- on the Climatronic Control Module -J255-.

- Set the airflow direction to "instrument panel vents" via the air distribution button -9-.

- Set the lowest blower speed via the fresh air blower button -4- (the Fresh Air Blower -V2- runs at the lowest speed).

For all Vehicles:

- Shake the bottle of Ultrasound A/C Cleaner - Airco-Clean Fluid -VAS6189/1- and pour it into the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B-.

  Note

For using the ultrasound A/C cleaner, refer to the Parts Catalog.

- Place the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B- in the front passenger footwell.

- Start the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B- (according to the operating instructions) and route outlet hose belonging to it so vapor escaping via A/C unit recirculated air opening (in passenger footwell behind the glove compartment) is drawn in by the Fresh Air Blower -V2-.

- Close the vehicle doors.

  Note

The cleaning procedure lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. It is complete when vapor no longer comes out of the outlet hose of the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B-.

- Switch off the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B-.

- Open the vehicle doors and air it out for at least 10 minutes.

- Remove the Ultrasound A/C Cleaner -VAS6189B- and clean it.

- Turn off the ignition.

- Install the dust and pollen filter. Refer to → Chapter "Dust and Pollen Filter, Removing and Installing".

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