RADIATOR GP 3702429 - Caterpillar

Illustration 1 g00866748
(5) Receiver-dryer (6) Inlet for refrigerant (7) Outlet for refrigerant (8) Desiccant (Zeolite) (9) Strainer (10) Tube of receiver-dryer (11) Tank of receiver-dryerReceiver-dryer (5) consists of a receiver tank (11), a desiccant (8), a strainer (9), and a receiver tube (10) .The speed of the compressor varies in response to the speed of the engine. The refrigerant flow in the cooling circuit also varies. Receiver tank (11) absorbs the variation. When the cooling circuit does not require much refrigerant, receiver tank (11) stores the surplus refrigerant temporarily. When the cooling circuit requires much refrigerant, the refrigerant is supplied through receiver tube (10) to the cooling circuit. Also, the receiver tank stores an excess amount of refrigerant for two reasons:
Refrigerant is stored in order to balance the refrigerant charge.
Refrigerant is stored in order to replenish the small amount of refrigerant that is lost through the rubber hoses.Moisture in the cooling circuit can cause many problems:
The valve on the compressor may deteriorate.
The lubricant may deteriorate.
The metal of the components in the circuit may corrode.
The expansion valve may clog due to freezing. The desiccant absorbs moisture which comes into the circuit at the time of fitting a component or charging the refrigerant.When the expansion valve freezes, the desiccant deteriorates. Replace receiver-dryer (5).
If the refrigerant system has been open to the outside air (without being plugged) for more than 30 minutes, the receiver-dryer must be replaced. Moisture will enter an open refrigerant system and cause corrosion which will lead to component failure.
Reference: Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" for the proper intervals for replacement.Any dust or debris in the circuit can cause the expansion valve to clog. Also, debris can cause the compressor to break. The strainer catches dust or debris in the refrigerant. The strainer cannot be cleaned. When the strainer becomes clogged, replace the receiver-dryer.