Kia Sorento 2001 General Information Manual page 1244

As refrigerant enters, it boils, absorbing heat from air beingbing lown through core by heater blower motor. This
cools air, which is then directed to passengers through air ducts. As air is cooled, moisture in air condenses on
core and is drained off. Result is cold, dry air. Evaporator core is a serviceable, replaceable item.
Expansion valve
The expansion valve allows high pressure liquid to expand as it enters evaporator. By allowing liquid to expand,
it willabsorb more heat in evaporator. Valve also meters amount of refrigerant entering system to prevent
evaporator core fromflooding.
Fresh/Recirculation actuator
When fresh/recircuitation switch in heater and A/C control panel is pushed, motor in fresh/recirculation actautor
assembly move and its position is not fed bacl to fresh/recirculation switch.
When desired air fresh/recitculation door position is reached, motor stops.
Heater
Dehumidified air is reheated as it passes through heater core in heater unit. Heater is warmed by engine
coolant passing through tubes of heater core. Heat is transferred to core fins and passed off to air flowing past
fins.
Position of air temperature valve in air conditioning module determines how much of total airflow is permitted to
pass through heater. This determines warmth of overall air flow that is sent into passenger compartment.
Hoses and lines
Hoses and lines carry refrigerant between major components of A/C system. Lines are made of metal and are
rigid. Hoses are made of flexible rubber and are designed for either high or low pressure. They are replaceable
items.
Receiver/Drier
The receiver/drier is located at front power steering oil tank. It receives liquid refrigerant from condenser,
removes any water in it, and then sends refrigerant to evaporator. It is a replaceable item.
Service ports
Service ports allow injection or recovery of refrigerant to A/C system. High-pressure service port is mounted in
high pressure line coming from receiver/drier. Low-pressure service port is in section of flexible hose that
connects evaporator return line to compressor.
Refrigerant
- Refrigerant 134a (R-134a) systems
In an effort to avoid use of ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants, Kia Motor Company has introduced a new
refrigerant system for this vehicle. This system uses non-CFC-based refrigerant R-134a.
This new type of refrigerant has many of same properties as R-12 and is similar in form and function.
R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, however, R-12 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). With
no chlorine atoms in its molecular structure, use of R-134a refrigerant will not have any harmful effects on
atmosphere's ozone layer.
- Identifying R-134a and R-12 A/C systems
To determine which types of A/C system a particular vehicle has, inspect A/C system's major components
and refrigerant lines for special tags. If system has yellow R-134a "NON-CFC" tags, it is an R-134a system
and uses R-134a refrigerant. If there are no special R-134a "NON-CFC" tags on A/C system components or
lines, system uses R-12. R-134a systems canalso be identified by brown-colored O-rings (HNBR) used
throughout A/C system.
• Do not add R-12 refrigerant to an A/C system that requires use of R-134a refrigerant. Do not add
R-134a refrigerant to an A/C system that requires use of R-12 refrigerant. These two types of
refrigerant should never be mixed. Doing so may cause damage to A/C system.
• R-12 and R-134a components are not interchangeable. Do not replace components from an