Audi A3 e-tron

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2023 Audi SQ8, 2023 Audi RS Q8, and 2023 Audi Q8. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Vehicle	Required Adapters for the Connections to A/C Compressor	Adapters Necessary for the Connections to the Reservoir or Receiver/Dryer	Miscellaneous
Audi A3 (8V_/ 85_) from MY 2017	-- "Denso", "Delphi/Mahle" or "Sanden" compressor manufacturer Low pressure side Refrigerant Circuits Adapter Set 1 - Adapter 12:VAS 6338/12 connected with the A/C Service Station and the Refrigerant Circuits Adapter Set - Adapter 48:VAS 6338/48 High pressure side: Refrigerant Circuits Adapter Set 1 - Adapter 3:VAS 6338/3	Receiver/dryer (different versions)-- No adapter necessary, the receiver/dryer remains installed (or is integrated in the condenser).-- Depending on the condenser version, remove the dryer cartridge from the receiver/dryer on the condenser before flushing and then seal the opening again (see note). Refrigerant Circuits Adapter Set - Shut-Off Valve:VAS 6338/42	Expansion valve removed and the Refrigerant Circuits - Adapter 38:VAS 6338/38 (or a drilled open expansion valve, refer to PRELIMINARY WORK TO CLEAN REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT (FLUSHING WITH REFRIGERANT R1234YF) .) installed. Heater and A/C Unit Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N541- and High-Voltage Battery Heater Core Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N542- removed and a Shut-Off Valve:VAS 6338/42 installed (refer to the notes below). Replace the Heater and A/C Unit Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N541- and High-Voltage Battery Heater Core Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N542- after flushing. The restrictor in the refrigerant line to the high-voltage battery heat exchanger is removed or the refrigerant line is drilled (refer to the notes below). Replace after flushing.
	Required adapter / lines for the connections to the electrically driven A/C compressor (to flush the A/C compressor). Electrically-Driven A/C Compressor, Flushing. Refer to ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN A/C COMPRESSOR, CLEANING .		The refrigerant oil is removed by flushing in the flow direction for electrically-driven A/C compressors (because of the installed valve it is not possible to flush against the flow direction). To flush, arrange the A/C compressor so that the connection for the refrigerant line on the high pressure side is as low as possible.

NOTE:

For this vehicle the refrigerant circuit is flushed by diving it into two sections. In the first flushing cycle, the adapter, which is installed for the Heater and A/C Unit Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N541-, is opened and the adapter, which is installed for the High-Voltage Battery Heater Core Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N542- is closed. Thus the refrigerant circuit with the evaporator in the A/C unit is flushed. In the second flushing cycle, the adapter, which is installed for the Heater and A/C Unit Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N541-, is closed and the adapter, which is installed for the High-Voltage Battery Heater Core Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N542- is opened. The refrigerant circuit with the evaporator in the high-voltage battery heat exchanger is flushed as a result. Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).

The Heater and A/C Unit Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N541- and the High-Voltage Battery Heater Core Refrigerant Shut-Off Valve -N542- must be replaced after flushing.

This illustration shows a refrigerant line -A- with a permanently installed restrictor -B- (without screen) This refrigerant line is drilled with a suitable drill 5.0 mm to flush the refrigerant circuit (an inserted restrictor is removed) and cleaned in the flushing circuit before installing. The refrigerant line or an inserted restrictor must be replaced after flushing. Refer to Parts Information.

Fig 1: Identifying Refrigerant Line With A Permanently Installed Restrictor

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

The diameter of the illustrated restrictor hole -B- is approximately 0.7 mm. Depending on the version of the refrigerant line, this constriction is either permanently installed in the refrigerant line or is only inserted. A screen to separate floating deposits may be installed on the inserted version, which can block the restrictor hole.

The version of the receiver/dryer on the Audi A3 will differ depending on the manufacturer of the condenser. The receiver/dryer is, for example, inside the condenser. The integrated receiver/dryer has a dryer cartridge that is no longer available as a replacement part. If there is a complaint regarding a vehicle with this condenser, it may be necessary to replace the entire condenser after correcting the complaint. Refer to the Parts Information and Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information).

Condensers with an integrated receiver/dryer or dryer cartridge that cannot be replaced separately or is not available as a replacement part, the condenser must be replaced after flushing (with the dryer cartridge installed). Refer to Refrigerant Circuit (vehicle-specific service information) and the Parts Information.