The accumulator functions as a liquid/vapor separator. The accumulator receives the following items from the evaporator:
• | Refrigerant vapor |
• | Some liquid refrigerant |
• | Refrigerant oil |
The accumulator only allows the refrigerant vapor and the oil to continue on the compressor.
Desiccant at the bottom of the accumulator acts as a drying agent for moisture that may have entered the system. An oil bleed hole is located near the bottom of the accumulator outlet pipe. The oil bleed hole provides an oil return path to the compressor.
The accumulator is serviced only as a replacement assembly.