Replacing AC drier?
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Replacing AC drier?
So I just spent the last 3-4 days of my free time cutting and engineering my radiator fan shroud to support 2 SPAL 12" high performance fans, and replacing my stock water pump with an Evans high flow water pump. The good news is the car is keeping REALLY cool compared to the way it was before. The bad news is, I need a complete AC recharge, and when I took it to the closest service center, they refused to recharge it -- they said that if I had my AC lines completely open for any extended period of time, my AC drier is now contaminated with moisture.
As my name implies, I'm a noob at this kind of stuff and know nothing about AC systems (up until 2 months ago I was calling the condensor an AC radiator...) So is it true what they say about replacing the drier? Where is the drier located on the C5? I really hope I won't have to completely reopen the car.... again....
As my name implies, I'm a noob at this kind of stuff and know nothing about AC systems (up until 2 months ago I was calling the condensor an AC radiator...) So is it true what they say about replacing the drier? Where is the drier located on the C5? I really hope I won't have to completely reopen the car.... again....
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I haven't worked on A/C systems in a couple years but they are correct that the drier will need to be replaced, it shouldn't be expensive but I'm not sure where it is on the C5. In the past it was no big deal the drier was mounted next to the Evap core and easily replaceable then the system was vacuumed down and recharged
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Thanks runamuk. I ended up getting some prices on the drier. Discount Auto could get it for about $40 for a generic piece, but it would take about 5-7 business days to get it. My local Chevy Stealer had it in stock and wanted $120 for it. Being that I wanted to enjoy my car this coming labor day I bent over and paid the Stealer's asking price.
The AC drier/accumulator is located just behind the battery, so it was pretty easy to get at. Just had to pull out the battery and whip out the wrenches and it came out in no time at all.
Tried looking around for places to recharge my AC now, and many of them were closed or just had no techs (including the one I went to earlier, and my local Stealer's service department... parts was open though, thank God).
Instead I chose to go to Discount Auto and pick up a 134 recharge kit. It worked like a charm and my AC is colder than ever. I hope I did not commit a mortal sin by using one of those DIY recharge kits. I realize my lines would have been ideally vacuumed first... but I hope that does not significantly affect my AC system in a negative way.
The AC drier/accumulator is located just behind the battery, so it was pretty easy to get at. Just had to pull out the battery and whip out the wrenches and it came out in no time at all.
Tried looking around for places to recharge my AC now, and many of them were closed or just had no techs (including the one I went to earlier, and my local Stealer's service department... parts was open though, thank God).
Instead I chose to go to Discount Auto and pick up a 134 recharge kit. It worked like a charm and my AC is colder than ever. I hope I did not commit a mortal sin by using one of those DIY recharge kits. I realize my lines would have been ideally vacuumed first... but I hope that does not significantly affect my AC system in a negative way.
Burning Brakes
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From: Troy MI
As long as you added oil to the system you are probably "ok"
It is a little wierd that you would have to replace the dryer, how long was it open for?
Obviously the new dryer is open for a few minutes while you install it....
I have an '85 Deville that I replaced the compressor on, also did the dryer and the filter (which is also important for you to change, hopefully you did)
Anyway moral of the story, I used the Autozone 134A kit to charge it, just to make sure it wasn't leaking and so far so good for about 2K miles.
It is a little wierd that you would have to replace the dryer, how long was it open for?
Obviously the new dryer is open for a few minutes while you install it....
I have an '85 Deville that I replaced the compressor on, also did the dryer and the filter (which is also important for you to change, hopefully you did)
Anyway moral of the story, I used the Autozone 134A kit to charge it, just to make sure it wasn't leaking and so far so good for about 2K miles.
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Originally Posted by diynoob
Thanks runamuk. I ended up getting some prices on the drier. Discount Auto could get it for about $40 for a generic piece, but it would take about 5-7 business days to get it. My local Chevy Stealer had it in stock and wanted $120 for it. Being that I wanted to enjoy my car this coming labor day I bent over and paid the Stealer's asking price.
The AC drier/accumulator is located just behind the battery, so it was pretty easy to get at. Just had to pull out the battery and whip out the wrenches and it came out in no time at all.
Tried looking around for places to recharge my AC now, and many of them were closed or just had no techs (including the one I went to earlier, and my local Stealer's service department... parts was open though, thank God).
Instead I chose to go to Discount Auto and pick up a 134 recharge kit. It worked like a charm and my AC is colder than ever. I hope I did not commit a mortal sin by using one of those DIY recharge kits. I realize my lines would have been ideally vacuumed first... but I hope that does not significantly affect my AC system in a negative way.
The AC drier/accumulator is located just behind the battery, so it was pretty easy to get at. Just had to pull out the battery and whip out the wrenches and it came out in no time at all.
Tried looking around for places to recharge my AC now, and many of them were closed or just had no techs (including the one I went to earlier, and my local Stealer's service department... parts was open though, thank God).
Instead I chose to go to Discount Auto and pick up a 134 recharge kit. It worked like a charm and my AC is colder than ever. I hope I did not commit a mortal sin by using one of those DIY recharge kits. I realize my lines would have been ideally vacuumed first... but I hope that does not significantly affect my AC system in a negative way.
I would recommend you go to an A/C shop, have them remove/recover the freon you put in, flush the system, draw a proper vacuum on it and re-charge with fresh freon (and oil as necessary). Don't get lulled into the trap of believing that just because it's cooling now, that it will be for very long, into the future. JMHO
Robert
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Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
If you did not pull a vacuum on the system prior to adding freon, then yes you will be "paying" for it in the future. Maybe in the form of a new compressor. Problem is, there is moisture in the system (with the air that is in the system) that needs to be removed.
I never bought a high dollar vacuum pump but instead ran a vacuum line from my gauge set to the intake and used engine vacuum to pull the system down
