General Description - Refrigerant Circuit Components: RESTRICTOR: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 and 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Restrictor in Front of Evaporator

NOTE:

At this time there are no A/C systems with a restrictor installed before the evaporator.

The restrictor creates a constriction. This restriction reduces the flow and separates the refrigerant circuit into high and low pressure sides. The refrigerant in front of the restrictor is under a higher pressure and is warm. The refrigerant behind the restrictor is under lower pressure and is cool. There is a screen for contaminants in front of the constriction, and after the constriction there is a screen to atomize the refrigerant before it reaches the evaporator.

Fig 1: Identifying Restrictor
Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE:

Arrow -A- on the restrictor points to the evaporator.

Replace after each opening the refrigerant circuit.

There are different versions, so pay attention to the different customer service information sources. Refer to the Parts Information.

Restrictor in Front of High-Voltage Battery Heat Exchanger (Chiller)

The restrictor creates a constriction. This restriction reduces the flow and separates the refrigerant circuit into high and low pressure sides. The refrigerant in front of the restrictor is under a higher pressure and is warm. The refrigerant behind the restrictor is under lower pressure and is cool.

Fig 2: Identifying Refrigerant Line With A Permanently Installed Restrictor

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE:

This illustration shows a refrigerant line -A- with a permanently installed restrictor -B- (without screen)

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.

Before installing, check for debris, and clean or replace if necessary.

Note the different versions.