This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the AC receiver/drier on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including system discharge, component replacement, and recharge.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• AC Receiver/Drier assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification for 3.5L EcoBoost
• AC line O-rings × 4 — Size-specific for receiver/drier connections
• PAG 46 oil for AC system × 1 — As required by system capacity
• R-134a refrigerant × 1 — System capacity typically 1.5-2.0 lbs

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Ensure engine is completely cool before beginning work
3. Verify AC recovery machine is functioning and has adequate storage capacity
4. Locate receiver/drier on passenger side of vehicle, mounted to condenser support near radiator
5. Have replacement receiver/drier ready but keep sealed in packaging until needed

Procedure

1. 1

   Recover AC refrigerant
   Connect AC recovery machine to service ports on the AC system. Follow machine manufacturer's procedures to fully recover all refrigerant from the system. Record the amount recovered for comparison during recharge. Wait for system pressure to equalize to atmospheric pressure before proceeding.
2. 2

   Remove front grille and radiator cover
   Remove the front grille assembly by releasing the retaining clips at the top and removing the mounting screws at the bottom. Remove the radiator cover panel to access the condenser area where the receiver/drier is mounted. Store all fasteners in a container for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect AC lines from receiver/drier
   Using appropriate line disconnect tools, carefully disconnect the AC line fittings from the receiver/drier inlet and outlet. The inlet line comes from the condenser (top connection) and the outlet goes to the evaporator (bottom connection). Immediately cap all open fittings with protective caps to prevent moisture entry and contamination. Inspect O-rings on lines for damage.
4. 4

   Remove receiver/drier mounting bolts
   Locate the receiver/drier mounting bracket bolts on the condenser support. Remove the two mounting bolts securing the receiver/drier bracket to the support structure. Support the receiver/drier while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Receiver Drier Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove receiver/drier assembly
   Carefully extract the receiver/drier from the mounting bracket, maneuvering around surrounding components. Keep the receiver/drier upright to minimize oil spillage. Once removed, pour out any remaining oil from the old receiver/drier into a graduated container and measure the quantity for reference during refill.
6. 6

   Prepare new receiver/drier
   Remove new receiver/drier from packaging immediately before installation. Check that it includes new O-rings for both inlet and outlet connections. Add the appropriate amount of fresh PAG 46 oil to the new receiver/drier (typically same amount removed plus 1-2 oz to account for desiccant saturation). Remove protective caps from inlet and outlet ports just before connection.
7. 7

   Install new receiver/drier
   Position the new receiver/drier into the mounting bracket, ensuring proper orientation with inlet (from condenser) at top and outlet (to evaporator) at bottom. Install the mounting bolts finger-tight first, then torque to specification. Ensure the receiver/drier sits firmly against the mounting bracket without gaps.
   Torque spec

   Receiver Drier Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install new O-rings on AC lines
   Remove old O-rings from the AC line fittings and discard. Inspect fitting surfaces for damage or debris and clean if necessary. Lubricate new O-rings with a small amount of clean PAG 46 oil and install them in the grooves on each AC line fitting. Ensure O-rings are seated properly and not twisted.
9. 9

   Connect AC lines to receiver/drier
   Remove caps from receiver/drier ports. Connect the inlet line (from condenser) to the top port and outlet line (to evaporator) to the bottom port. Hand-thread fittings first to ensure proper engagement, then tighten to specified torque. Do not overtighten as this can damage O-rings and cause leaks.
   Torque spec

   AC Line Fittings20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall radiator cover and grille
    Reinstall the radiator cover panel and secure with mounting screws torqued to specification. Reinstall the front grille assembly, ensuring all retaining clips engage properly and bottom mounting screws are tight.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Evacuate AC system
    Connect vacuum pump to AC service ports using manifold gauge set. Evacuate the system for a minimum of 45 minutes to remove all moisture and air. After evacuation, close valves and monitor gauges for 15 minutes - system should hold vacuum without rising, indicating no leaks. If vacuum does not hold, locate and repair leak before proceeding.
12. 12

    Recharge AC system
    With system still under vacuum, connect refrigerant supply (R-134a) through manifold gauge set. Charge system with the amount of refrigerant recovered (recorded in step 1) plus any additional needed to meet factory specification. Use refrigerant scale for accurate measurement. Add UV dye if desired for future leak detection. Close all valves when complete.

Reassembly

1. Verify all AC line connections are secure and torqued properly
2. Confirm radiator cover and grille are fully seated with all fasteners installed
3. Double-check that no tools or materials were left in engine compartment

Verification

• Start engine and turn AC to MAX COOL with fan on HIGH
• Monitor AC pressures with gauge set - low side should be 25-45 psi, high side 200-250 psi at idle with ambient temp around 75-85°F
• Verify cold air output from cabin vents (should reach 35-45°F with sufficient cooling)
• Inspect all AC line connections at receiver/drier for signs of oil seepage or frost indicating leaks
• Listen for unusual noises from AC compressor or system operation
• Perform UV leak check if dye was added, inspecting all connections with UV light
• Test AC performance under various conditions and ensure consistent cooling
• Verify compressor cycles on and off appropriately as system reaches temperature

More procedures for this vehicle