AC Receiver/Drier

Replace the AC receiver/drier on a 2008 Dodge Viper 8.4L V10, including refrigerant evacuation, component removal, installation, and system recharge.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• AC receiver/drier assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• AC line O-rings (high and low side) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• PAG oil for AC system × 1 — Per receiver/drier oil capacity specification

Fluids

• ac_refrigerant

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
3. Verify AC system has been unused for at least 30 minutes to equalize pressure
4. Ensure AC recovery machine is properly maintained and certified for R-134a refrigerant
5. Have new receiver/drier and O-rings ready to minimize system exposure time

Procedure

1. 1

   Recover refrigerant from AC system
   Connect AC recovery machine to service ports on vehicle. Follow machine manufacturer instructions to completely evacuate and recover all R-134a refrigerant from the system. Verify system shows zero pressure on both high and low side gauges before proceeding. Record amount of refrigerant recovered for recharge reference.
2. 2

   Locate receiver/drier assembly
   Open hood and locate the receiver/drier assembly. On the 2008 Viper, it is mounted on the passenger side of the engine bay near the condenser, typically forward of the firewall. The receiver/drier is a cylindrical canister with AC lines connected to top and bottom fittings.
3. 3

   Disconnect high-side AC line
   Locate the high-side AC line connection at the top of the receiver/drier. Using appropriate wrench or line disconnect tool, disconnect the high-side line fitting. Be prepared for residual oil to drain. Cap or plug the line immediately to prevent moisture entry. Remove and discard the old O-ring from the fitting.
4. 4

   Disconnect low-side AC line
   Disconnect the low-side AC line from the bottom or side of the receiver/drier using appropriate wrench or line disconnect tool. Cap or plug the line immediately. Remove and discard the old O-ring from the fitting.
5. 5

   Remove receiver/drier mounting bracket
   Remove the mounting bracket bolts securing the receiver/drier to its bracket. The receiver/drier is typically held by 2 mounting bolts or a clamp-style bracket. Remove fasteners and carefully extract the receiver/drier from its mounting location.
6. 6

   Inspect and prepare new receiver/drier
   Remove new receiver/drier from packaging only when ready to install. Verify correct part number matches OEM specification. Check that shipping caps are in place on inlet and outlet ports. Verify PAG oil charge matches system requirements (typically 1-2 oz total system oil loss during receiver/drier replacement). Do not remove caps until immediately before installation.
7. 7

   Install new receiver/drier
   Remove shipping caps from new receiver/drier ports. Immediately position the new receiver/drier into the mounting bracket, orienting it correctly with inlet and outlet ports matching AC line locations. Install and hand-tighten mounting bracket fasteners. Do not fully torque mounting hardware yet to allow for AC line alignment.
8. 8

   Install new O-rings and connect AC lines
   Lubricate new O-rings with clean refrigerant oil and install them on both high-side and low-side AC line fittings. Remove caps from receiver/drier ports and immediately connect AC lines to receiver/drier fittings. Hand-tighten fittings first, then torque high-side and low-side line connections to 18 ft-lbs using crow foot adapter if necessary to maintain accurate torque reading.
9. 9

   Torque mounting hardware
   With AC lines connected and properly aligned, torque the receiver/drier mounting bracket fasteners to 89 in-lbs. Ensure receiver/drier is secure and AC lines are not under stress or binding.
10. 10

    Evacuate AC system
    Connect vacuum pump to AC service ports. Evacuate system to deep vacuum (29+ inches Hg) for minimum 30 minutes. Monitor vacuum gauge for pressure rise indicating system leaks. System should hold vacuum without pressure rise for at least 10 minutes after pump is shut off. If vacuum does not hold, locate and repair leak before proceeding.
11. 11

    Recharge AC system
    Using AC recharge machine, add R-134a refrigerant to system per manufacturer specification. Charge system to correct weight or pressure as specified for 2008 Viper 8.4L V10. Add PAG oil if system oil balance calculations indicate additional oil is needed beyond what was pre-charged in new receiver/drier. Follow machine instructions for proper charging procedure.
12. 12

    Leak test system
    With system fully charged, use electronic leak detector or soap solution to check all connections at receiver/drier inlet and outlet fittings. Check mounting area and surrounding components for any signs of refrigerant leaks. Address any leaks found before proceeding.

Reassembly

1. No additional reassembly required beyond component installation steps

Verification

• Start engine and turn AC system to maximum cooling
• Verify compressor engages and system operates normally
• Check that cold air is produced at cabin vents within 2-3 minutes
• Monitor AC pressures with manifold gauges: typical running pressures should be 25-45 PSI low side and 200-250 PSI high side at ambient temperature (values vary with temperature)
• Verify no abnormal noises from compressor or system components
• Re-check all connections for leaks after system has operated for 5-10 minutes
• Confirm no warning lights or AC system faults on instrument cluster

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle