Visual Inspection
This system illustration
notes the main points for
visual inspection.
A. Condenser - Is it free of leaves, bugs, bird feathers or mud? The
condenser must be relatively clean to work well as a heat exchanger.
How you clean the condenser depends on where it is mounted. The
condenser fin comb, air hose and nozzle, or soap and water may be
used. Where possible, check condenser mounting bolts or screws and
tighten them if necessary.
Condenser failure often results from loose hoses. Hose movement
will cause fatigue failure of condenser tubing adjacent to the fittings.
Make sure the hoses are securely clamped.
While inspecting the condenser check the receiver-drier sight glass
and connections. Look to see if the sight glass has a moisture indicator
that is showing moisture in the system.
B. Components Under the Hood - Tip the cab or raise the hood.
Look at the compressor mounting bracket, compressor clutch assem-
bly, drive belt and pulley alignment. The mounting bracket, com-
pressor, clutch and drive pulley should be fastened securely, and a
clutch groove (there may be two grooves) should be in line with the
drive pulley. Tighten all bolts shown in Figure 7-3, as you inspect.
Engine and compressor
vibration can work mounting
bolts loose. Tighten all
mounting bolts as you in
spect the system. Slots in the
mounting bracket are used
to move the compressor
clutch assembly in order to
adjust belt tension or align
ment.
7-3
