L322 Range Rover System Description and Operation
AIR CONDITIONING
82-8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Compressor
The compressor circulates the refrigerant around the system by compressing low pressure, low temperature vapour
from the evaporator and discharging the resultant high pressure, high temperature vapour to the condenser.
The compressor is a fixed displacement unit attached to a mounting bracket on the engine. A dedicated drive belt on
the engine crankshaft drives the compressor via a pulley and an electrically actuated clutch. Operation of the clutch
is controlled by the ATC ECU.
Compressor Assembly
1 Clutch connector
2 Pulley
3 Outlet port
4 Inlet port
Condenser
The condenser transfers heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air to convert the vapour from the compressor
into a liquid. A receiver drier module, integrated onto the 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. 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 pack and the filter in the receiver drier module are serviceable items retained in position by a threaded plug.