Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 759

LOW PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE - The low pressure hose (Blue with Black stripe) attaches to the 
low-side service port. This port is located on the A/C suction line near the rear of the engine 
compartment.  

HIGH PRESSURE GAUGE HOSE - The high pressure hose (Red with Black stripe) attaches to the 
high-side service port. This port is located on the A/C liquid line near the front of the engine 
compartment.  

RECOVERY, RECYCLING, EVACUATION AND CHARGING HOSE - The center manifold hose 
(Yellow, or White, with Black stripe) is used to recover, evacuate, and charge the refrigerant system. 
When the low or high pressure valves on the manifold gauge set are opened, the refrigerant in the system 
will escape through this hose.  

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY 

Fig. 120: R-134a Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling/Charging Station 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

An R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (1) that meets SAE standard J2210 must be used to 

WARNING:

Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before 
performing the following operation. See WARNING, and CAUTION. Failure 
to follow the warnings and cautions may result in serious or fatal injury.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

recover the refrigerant from the R-134a refrigerant system. Refer to the operating instructions supplied by the 
equipment manufacturer for the proper care and use of this equipment. 

REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE 

After all refrigerant system leaks have been repaired and the refrigerant system has been evacuated, a refrigerant 
charge can be injected into the system. See REFRIGERANT CHARGE LEVEL or the Underhood HVAC 
Specification Label for the proper amount of the refrigerant charge. 

An R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE Standard J2210 must be used to 
charge the refrigerant system with R-134a refrigerant. Refer to the operating instructions supplied by the 
equipment manufacturer for proper care and use of this equipment. 

CHARGING PROCEDURE 

1. Evacuate the refrigerant system. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM EVACUATE.  

2. Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE standard J2210 to the 

refrigerant system.  

3. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS or the Underhood HVAC Specification Label for the proper amount of the 

refrigerant charge.  

4. Measure the proper amount of refrigerant charge and heat it to 52°C (125°F) with the charging station. 

See the operating instructions supplied by the equipment manufacturer for proper use of this equipment.  

5. Open both the suction and discharge valves, then open the charge valve to allow the heated refrigerant to 

flow into the system.  

6. When the transfer of refrigerant has stopped, close both the suction and discharge valves.  

7. If all of the refrigerant charge did not transfer from the dispensing device, open all of the windows in the 

vehicle and set the heating-A/C system controls so that the A/C compressor is engaged and the blower 
motor is operating at its lowest speed setting. Run the engine at a steady high idle (about 1400 RPM). If 
the A/C compressor does not engage, test the compressor clutch circuits and repair as required. 

WARNING:

Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before 
performing the following operation. See WARNING, and CAUTION. Failure 
to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal 
injury or death.

NOTE:

The Underhood HVAC Specification Label contains the refrigerant fill 
specification of the vehicle being serviced.

CAUTION: A small amount of refrigerant oil is removed from the A/C system each 

time the refrigerant system is recovered and evacuated. Before charging 
the A/C system, you MUST replenish any oil lost during the recovery 
process. Refer the equipment manufacturer instructions for more 
information.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

8. Open the low-side valve to allow the remaining refrigerant to transfer to the refrigerant system.  

9. Disconnect the charging station from the refrigerant system service ports.  

10. Reinstall the caps onto the refrigerant system service ports.  

COMPRESSOR-A/C 

DESCRIPTION 

COMPRESSOR-A/C 

Fig. 121: A/C Compressor Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The A/C system on models equipped with the 2.8L and 4.0L engine use a Zexel DKS-17DS A/C compressor 
(1). This A/C compressor is a ten cylinder, double-acting swash plate-type compressor that uses an electrically 
operated clutch (2) to engage and disengage the A/C compressor from the engine accessory drive belt. 

The DKS-17DS A/C compressor has a fixed displacement of 175.5 cubic centimeters (10.7 cubic inches) and 
has the suction and discharge ports (6) located on the compressor cylinder block (3). This A/C compressor also 
has an integral high pressure relief valve (4) located on the cylinder head (5) and a label which identifies the use 
of R-134a refrigerant. 

VALVE-HIGH PRESSURE RELIEF-A/C COMPRESSOR 

A high pressure relief valve is located on the A/C compressor. This mechanical valve is designed to vent 
refrigerant from the A/C system to protect against damage to the A/C compressor and other A/C system 
components, caused by condenser air flow restriction or an overcharge of refrigerant. 

COMPRESSOR-A/C 

WARNING:

Take care not to open the discharge (high pressure) valve at this 
time. Failure to follow this warning may result in serious or fatal 
injury.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 122: A/C Compressor, Discharge Ports & Compressor Cylinder Head 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The A/C system on models equipped with the 3.7L engine use a Visteon HS-18 A/C compressor (1). This A/C 
compressor is a 10 cylinder reciprocating swash plate-type compressor that uses an electrically operated clutch 
to engage and disengage the A/C compressor from the engine accessory drive belt. 

The HS-18 A/C compressor has a fixed displacement of 180 cubic centimeters (10.9 cubic inches) and has the 
suction and discharge ports (2) located on the compressor cylinder head (3) at the rear of the compressor and a 
label which identifies the use of R-134a refrigerant. 

OPERATION 

VALVE-HIGH PRESSURE RELIEF-A/C COMPRESSOR 

The high pressure relief valve vents refrigerant from the A/C system when a discharge pressure of 3430 to 3930 
kPa (497 to 570 psi) or above is reached. The high pressure relief valve closes with a minimum discharge 
pressure of 2990 kPa (4370 psi) is reached. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning - Service Information - Nitro