This procedure covers the inspection, removal, and replacement of air conditioning refrigerant lines on the 2018-2024 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4, including evacuation and recharge of the A/C system.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• A/C refrigerant line (specify suction or discharge) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• A/C line O-rings × 4 — Use OEM specification
• R-134a refrigerant × 1 — Use OEM specification
• PAG oil (ND-11) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is cold and has not run for at least 30 minutes
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Verify which A/C line requires replacement (suction line from evaporator to compressor, or discharge line from compressor to condenser)
4. Gather refrigerant recovery equipment and ensure certification is current
5. Have replacement O-rings and PAG oil ready before beginning

Procedure

1. 1

   Recover refrigerant from A/C system
   Connect A/C recovery machine to service ports (low-side and high-side). Follow recovery machine instructions to fully evacuate all refrigerant from the system. Ensure recovery cylinder is not overfilled. Record amount of refrigerant and oil recovered for reference during recharge.
2. 2

   Disconnect negative battery terminal
   Using 10mm socket, disconnect negative battery terminal and isolate it away from battery post. This prevents accidental A/C compressor engagement during service. Wait 90 seconds for airbag system to fully discharge.
3. 3

   Access A/C line connections
   For suction line: Remove engine cover by pulling up on clips. Access is from top of engine bay. For discharge line: May require removing front bumper cover or wheel well liner depending on specific line being replaced. Remove any plastic covers or guards blocking access to line connections.
4. 4

   Disconnect A/C line at compressor
   Using appropriate flare nut wrench, loosen and remove the bolt securing A/C line to compressor. On 2018-2024 Camry 2.5L, connections use 10mm or 12mm bolts with two O-rings per connection. Cap or plug open compressor ports immediately to prevent moisture and debris entry. Inspect and discard old O-rings.
5. 5

   Disconnect A/C line at evaporator or condenser
   Trace line to opposite end connection. For suction line, disconnect at evaporator (requires access through firewall area). For discharge line, disconnect at condenser (front of vehicle). Use flare nut wrench to avoid rounding connection nuts. Remove mounting clips or brackets securing line to body. Cap all open ports immediately.
6. 6

   Remove A/C line from vehicle
   Carefully extract A/C line from engine bay, noting routing path and any clips or guides. Take photos if necessary for reinstallation reference. Inspect removed line for evidence of leak location (oil residue, physical damage, corrosion at fittings).
7. 7

   Prepare new A/C line for installation
   Unpack new A/C line and verify it matches old line configuration. Lubricate new O-rings with clean PAG oil (ND-11 specification for this system). Install new O-rings onto both ends of new line, ensuring they seat properly in grooves. Keep protective caps on until ready to connect.
8. 8

   Install new A/C line
   Route new line following same path as original, ensuring no contact with sharp edges, hot exhaust components, or moving parts. Secure any mounting clips or brackets to body. Remove protective caps from line and component ports just before connection.
9. 9

   Connect A/C line at both ends
   Hand-thread connection bolts to avoid cross-threading. Verify O-rings remain properly positioned during connection. Tighten connection bolts using flare nut wrench to manufacturer specification. For 2018-2024 Camry, typical A/C line connection torque is 10-12 Nm (89-106 lb-in), but verify with service manual as this varies by connection type.
10. 10

    Add appropriate PAG oil to system
    Based on amount of oil recovered in Step 1, add equivalent amount of fresh ND-11 PAG oil to system through compressor service port. If significant oil was lost or line contained oil residue, add 1-2 oz (30-60ml) to compensate.
11. 11

    Evacuate A/C system
    Connect vacuum pump to A/C system service ports via manifold gauge set. Evacuate system to at least 29 inHg vacuum for minimum 30 minutes. Longer evacuation (45-60 minutes) ensures complete moisture removal. After evacuation, close valves and monitor vacuum gauge for 10 minutes to verify system holds vacuum (no leaks).
12. 12

    Recharge A/C system
    With engine off, connect refrigerant supply to low-side service port. Add refrigerant slowly using refrigerant scale to measure exact amount. Camry 2.5L system capacity is approximately 16.9 oz (480g) - verify on underhood label. Once correct amount is added, disconnect charging equipment.
13. 13

    Reconnect battery and test system
    Reconnect negative battery terminal. Start engine and turn A/C to MAX with fan on high. Allow system to run for 5 minutes. Monitor compressor engagement and listen for unusual noises. Check for cold air from vents (center vent temperature should reach 40-50°F within a few minutes).

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any removed components such as engine cover, wheel well liner, or bumper cover
2. Verify all A/C line mounting clips and brackets are properly secured
3. Check that A/C lines have adequate clearance from moving components and hot surfaces

Verification

• With engine running and A/C on MAX, verify cold air output from all vents
• Check center vent temperature with thermometer - should be 40-50°F ambient or 15-20°F below ambient in hot weather
• Inspect all A/C line connections for signs of oil leakage (indicates refrigerant leak)
• Use electronic leak detector or UV dye to verify no leaks at connection points
• Verify compressor cycles on and off normally (not continuously or erratically)
• Listen for abnormal noises from compressor or A/C system
• Confirm system pressures are within specification using manifold gauges (typical: 25-35 PSI low side, 200-250 PSI high side at 80°F ambient)

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