Lotus Elise Service Notes page 464

Lotus Service Notes Section XA
Oil Quantity Adjustment Prior to Compressor Refitment
Refitting Existing Compressor
i) If the existing compressor is to be refitted after normal refrigerant recovery has been performed, a quan-
tity of oil equivalent to that recovered must be added to that already held in the compressor.
ii) If the system has suffered a rapid discharge, caused for example by accident damage, most of the
refrigerant oil will have been lost. Drain and measure the remaining oil from the compressor by removing
the drain plug and rotating the clutch plate. Add 170 cm
3
of new refrigerant oil (see above) to the
compressor before refitment.
Fitting New Compressor
New compressors are sealed and pressurised with nitrogen gas. The sealing caps should be removed
only immediately prior to compressor fitment, at which time the gas pressure should be heard to escape as a
cap is slowly released. New compressors are supplied with an oil fill of 170 cm
3
.
i) If normal refrigerant recovery has been performed, the required oil level in the new compressor must be
calculated, and the appropriate quantity drained off:
Drain and measure the oil quantity in the OLD compressor by removing the drain plug and rotating
the clutch plate. Quantity = X cm
3
Calculate the quantity of oil (Q cm
3
) to be drained from the new compressor using the formula:
Q cm
3
= 170 - (X + 20)
Remove the drain plug from the NEW compressor, and drain this quantity of oil before refitting and
tightening the plug.
ii) If the system has suffered a rapid discharge, caused for example by accident damage, most of the
refrigerant oil will have been lost. In this case, the 170 cm
3
of oil contained in the new compressor is to
be retained.
Compressor Fitment
1. Fit the compressor to the engine with the drive belt positioned, and secure with the three M10 bolts;
Tighten to 43 - 47 Nm. Tension the drive belt as detailed above.
2. Using new 'O' rings lubricated with an approved refrigerant oil, fit the two refrigerant pipes to the compres-
sor and tighten the fixing screws to 23 - 27 Nm. Secure the pipe clamp adjacent to the service ports.
3. Connect the compressor clutch cable.
4. Recharge the system with R134a refrigerant.
PH.10-CONDENSER
The condenser is mounted beneath the engine cooling radiator in the front services compartment. To
replace the condenser the radiator mounting panel must be removed complete with radiator, condenser and
cooling fans:
1. Remove the front clamshell (see section BP).
2. Release the fixings securing the water shield to the top rear edge of the radiator mounting panel, and
withdraw the shield.
3. Drain the coolant and disconnect the feed and return hoses from the radiator.
4. Recover the refrigerant using suitable equipment connected to the service ports at the right hand front of
the engine bay.
5. Unplug the fan harness connector.
6. Using two spanners on each connection to avoid twisting the union, release the two refrigerant pipes from
the condenser and immediately cap both the pipes and the condenser unions to prevent the ingress of dirt
and moisture.
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2000 / 04