2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2001 A/C Question

[MrFixit]

I had the unfortunate experince of have the evaporator replaced in the dash last week under warranty luckily. Should the dealer have replaced the dryer?? This is the first time the system has been opened.

Thanks

 

[B.G. Smith]

Yes, the receiver/dryer should be replaced any time the ervaporator is repalced. bg

 

[Bob4x4]

Anytime it has been opened after a # of years or over 50k it is recommended but not required.

Did they install the seal on the 2nd visit?





Bob



P. S. it is an accumulator on your truck.

 

[MrFixit]

Seal

Bob,

Second visit has not happened yet. Part was due in yesterday but we are leaving for a small trip tomorrow so probably not until next week. I am at 43k. . should I question it as far as the years?? I have always called it a dryer. . what's the difference?? Or. . is it a dryer in an R12 system and Accumulator in a R134 system?? All my minimal experience comes from the R12 world. Should this Accumulator condenstate, then freeze?? I have been inspecting things over the past few days and early on the accum. sweats pretty good after and after 20min. of drivining the thing is covered with frost and the water droplets on the large line going into the firewall are also frozen. This normal??

 

[Neal Cassady]

I had mine done under warranty last September and the dealer wouldn't replace the accumulator or orrifice tube under warranty, claimed it wasn't covered, wasn't necessary. Looking back on it I should have paid for the parts and labor and had them replace them. Anytime you open the AC system you should replace the accumulator and orrifice tube. There is a bag of dessicant in the accumulator which traps any moisture that may be in the system.



Neal

 

[B.G. Smith]

Bob,

Second visit has not happened yet. Part was due in yesterday but we are leaving for a small trip tomorrow so probably not until next week. I am at 43k. . should I question it as far as the years?? I have always called it a dryer. . what's the difference?? Or. . is it a dryer in an R12 system and Accumulator in a R134 system?? All my minimal experience comes from the R12 world. Should this Accumulator condenstate, then freeze?? I have been inspecting things over the past few days and early on the accum. sweats pretty good after and after 20min. of drivining the thing is covered with frost and the water droplets on the large line going into the firewall are also frozen. This normal??

It is a combination receiver with dessicant inside to act as a dryer. The receiver acts to vaporize any refrigferant that passes through the evaporator and is still liquid and to keep liquid from being drawn into compressor opn start up. A lot of systems didn't have receivers in the old days. With R-12, any moisture in the system formed HF acid which tends to eat up aluminum very fast. Most retailers would not warranty an evaporator if the dryer was not replaced. The dissicant also breaks down over time and will circulate with the refrigerant. Normal operating conditions with correct charge should not frost up the accumulator, maybe with ambient temps in the 70s it would frost a little before the compressor cycles off then defrost. bg

 

[MrFixit]

Fogot to mention it was high 80's when I was looking at the system. Humidity not too bad. I am in So. CA. Sounds like I may still have some problems then?? They have to remove the air distribution box because they forgot to put the foam bewtween it and the firewall around the coolant lines. I might have them replace the accumm. along with the expansion valve.

 

[Bob4x4]

Fogot to mention it was high 80's when I was looking at the system. Humidity not too bad. I am in So. CA. Sounds like I may still have some problems then?? They have to remove the air distribution box because they forgot to put the foam bewtween it and the firewall around the coolant lines. I might have them replace the accumm. along with the expansion valve.

You don't have an expansion valve. you have a fixed orifice in the liquid line. The early 2nd gens had them in the condensor outlet and were available separatly. You must know the pressures to know what is going on.



Bob

 

[MrFixit]

Looks like I better understand my system a little better before I post! :--)

 

[B.G. Smith]

Looks like I better understand my system a little better before I post! :--)

You're doing OK, best way to find out is to ask. They used to sell a manual (and probably still do) on automotive A/C, think it was by Haines, cheap and had some good info. Have a good day. bg