Technical A/C Dryer

I had to replace the A/C compressor in my Hot Rod, and I was told need to also replace the dryer? Is this true?. I've had the unit about 13 years, but I only installed it last year. Appreciate your help.
Jack

 

Yes....it's true

 

Most times when the compressor goes it's a good idea to replace the drier cause it may be full of junk from the compressor.

 

If your compressor went south you should consider flushing the system real good. Replace all o rings, coat them w oil first, replace the receiver/drier, and do a good evacuation before charging. This is what should be done to insure the system will work well. Also make sure the compressor has the proper type and amount of oil.

 

Yeah,the dryer is relativity inexpensive and if the compressor is bad you most certainly have contaminated dryer. HRP

 

the expansion valve or orifice should be changed also.

 

Once you open the system, if the dessicant sack inside the dryer isn't already saturated with moisture it soon will be. If you cap it immediately, and vacuum it well upon installation, it might still work.

OTOH it might explode like the one on my OT Volare, and plug up the hoses etc with silica gel.

I replace the dryer every time a system is opened.

 

At least replace the expansion valve or orifice tube whichever it has as mentioned. That will be where most of the metal will be at if it is an internal fault of the compressor. I usually only replace the drier/accumulator if it's real bad compressor damage and also some places won't give a warranty on the compressor if everything isn't replaced.

 

It will work. I've opened up the systems on my wife's and my DD but capped them off while working on them. I had to dismantle the AC system on my Colorado last year when doing the cylinder head and I immediately placed the dryer in a Ziploc bag.

I just made sure to pull a good vacuum for at least an hour instead of the usual 30 minutes and so far both cars' AC systems work fine.

 

Cheap insurance to replace the dryer. Once it is saturated with moisture they tend to come apart and do damage. Might be full of metal shavings as well if the old compressor shucked.

 

It can work. There's no guarantee it will. If the bag's already full & starting to split open, you can't see it & you won't realize it until the system plugs up. You're just guessing at that point unless recently, you've already replaced it yourself.

On an old car the system may have been opened a few times already, and yet never had a new dryer.

You risk plugging the new compressor or worse, if you guess wrong.

 

I know im hi jacking this thread but i saw a dryer on a model a that was laying flat when plumbed in. Is that alright to do or should it be standing up?

 

Old GMs and Chryslers always had to stand up. Dunno on fords.

Also it may have been just an accumulator and not a dryer at all.

 

Agreed. I was just too lazy to order a new dryer in both cases.