Water Content
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Volkswagen Passat and 2009 Volkswagen Passat. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Only very small amounts of water are soluble in liquid refrigerant. On the other hand, refrigerant vapor and water vapor mix in any ratio.
Only a small drop of water may get into the refrigerant circuit. The dryer, dryer bag or dryer cartridge contained in the reservoir can absorb approximately 7 grams (0.25 oz.) of water. They are then saturated and cannot absorb any more water. If water is still present in the refrigerant circuit, it flows up to the expansion valve nozzle or restrictor and becomes ice.
The air conditioning system stops cooling.
Water destroys the air conditioner as it combines with other impurities at high pressures and temperatures to form acids.