Parts for your 2018 Mitsubishi Asx-Receiver driers

2018 Mitsubishi ASX receiver-drier: what it does, where it lives, and when to replace it

For the 2018 Mitsubishi ASX, a receiver-drier is indeed used. It’s not a separate silver can like on older cars, it’s built into the A/C condenser as a desiccant cartridge (often called a filter-drier). This layout is documented in Mitsubishi Motors’ ASX/RVR Workshop Manual (2018, Group 55A HVAC) and the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue, both of which describe the condenser assembly as incorporating the receiver/drier. Industry guidance from DENSO on integrated receiver-drier condensers and MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association) service recommendations also align with this design.

On the ASX, the receiver-drier’s job is to trap moisture and debris in the refrigerant loop and to provide a small storage “buffer” for the liquid refrigerant before it heads to the thermal expansion valve. Moisture is bad news in an A/C system: it reacts with refrigerant and oil to form acids, can freeze at the valve, and generally shortens compressor life. The desiccant in the drier soaks up that moisture and keeps things clean and stable.

Because the drier is integrated into the condenser, maintenance is a little different to the old days. You don’t have a stand-alone canister to swap routinely. Instead, the usual practice—backed by Mitsubishi’s service procedures and common HVAC industry standards—is to replace the drier element whenever the system has been open to air, after a compressor failure, or if contamination is suspected. On many ASX condensers, that means either replacing the condenser assembly or fitting a service desiccant bag kit if the condenser design allows it.

Good times to consider a receiver-drier service on a 2018 ASX include:

• Any time the A/C system has been opened (leak repair, hose or condenser change, regas after major work).
• Compressor replacement or if there’s metal/debris in the system.
• After a significant leak where the system has been flat for a while.

A competent workshop will recover any remaining refrigerant, flush where appropriate, replace the integrated drier (via condenser or desiccant kit), renew O-rings, evacuate to deep vacuum, add the correct PAG oil amount, and recharge to spec. That process protects the new or existing compressor and restores proper cooling performance. If the A/C’s going a bit average—slow to cool, noisy compressor, or pressure readings that wander—a blocked or saturated drier can be part of the problem, so it’s worth a check during routine service.

Popular questions

Does the 2018 Mitsubishi ASX use R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant?
Most Australian and New Zealand–delivered 2018 ASX models use R‑134a. Always confirm the exact refrigerant from the under‑bonnet label or the service manual, as specifications can vary by market and build date.

Can just the desiccant bag be replaced, or does the whole condenser need changing?
Many ASX condensers accept a service desiccant cartridge, but some variants require full condenser replacement. A parts lookup by VIN in the Mitsubishi ASA catalogue will show what’s fitted and which service kits are available.

How often should the receiver-drier be replaced?
There’s no fixed time or kilometre interval. It’s typically replaced when the system is opened, after compressor failure, or if moisture/contamination is suspected. That approach follows Mitsubishi workshop guidance and industry best practice for A/C longevity.