Mid January this year I was in an accident. I replaced the front end and now that its hot out I'm go'n to finish the last thing...........the AC!! One part left to get but my question is:

How can I check my compressor to see if it is still good before paying for the system to be vaccumed and fully charged? It was not damaged in the accident and I've unplugged it but I worry about perhaps water getting in and rust??? Thanks!

 

Were the AC hoses still attached to the compressor during your down time? If they were I doubt that rain or enough moisture could get all the way to the compressor and cause it to rust. But, I'm just speculating here. Maybe someone with more experience could chime in.

 

you could go to wal-mart or any auto parts store and get the recharge kit, being if yours uses r134a and charge it. The AC system requires a certain pressure before the compressor kicks on. What you could also do is just turn the compressor clutch by hand to see if it hasn't siezed.

 

will do, thanks!..............how do i find out if the recharge kit contains what is needed for my car.........its a 99SI

 

So the a/c system was disconnected? If so you are going to need a new accumulator dryer. The accumulator dryer has what is called a desiccant bag in it that absorbs moisture so that the compressor can be protected. When opened to the atmosphere the desiccant bag becomes saturated by the moisture in the air which will prevent it from doing its job. As I'm sure you know liquids cannot be compressed so when the compressor tries to compress the r134a which at that point in the system is a low pressure low temperature vapor it will hit resistance and can be seriously damaged.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-97CX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So the a/c system was disconnected? If so you are going to need a new accumulator dryer. The accumulator dryer has what is called a desiccant bag in it that absorbs moisture so that the compressor can be protected. When opened to the atmosphere the desiccant bag becomes saturated by the moisture in the air which will prevent it from doing its job. As I'm sure you know liquids cannot be compressed so when the compressor tries to compress the r134a which at that point in the system is a low pressure low temperature vapor it will hit resistance and can be seriously damaged. </TD></TR></TABLE>Good Goddamn info right there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by litterbox &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good Goddamn info right there. </TD></TR></TABLE>


&lt;----- ASE certified tech.

Just here to help

 

thanks a lot man...........let me clear up disconnected though.

the BELT is still connected but the plug/clip/source of electricity is unplugged.........i was told unplug that before driving by several people and that i'd be ok since the clutch of whatever woldn't be able to engage.

as for the lines, the condensor is not in place so the lines are just "there"

so, if all this fits with the info ya'll have provided i will need:

1. new "bag"
2. charger kit from w-mart
3. what do these cost? thanks!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tthomass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks a lot man...........let me clear up disconnected though.

the BELT is still connected but the plug/clip/source of electricity is unplugged.........i was told unplug that before driving by several people and that i'd be ok since the clutch of whatever woldn't be able to engage.

as for the lines, the condensor is not in place so the lines are just "there"

so, if all this fits with the info ya'll have provided i will need:

1. new "bag"
2. charger kit from w-mart
3. what do these cost? thanks!</TD></TR></TABLE>


The part that you will need is either going to be a receiver dryer or an accumulator dryer. They both do the same thing and a parts store should be able to tell you which one you have on your vehicle. As far as I know they are not very expensive. One thing to keep in mind when installing it though is not to take the plugs out of the new accumulator until it is ready for the lines to go on. If you look under your hood you should see either an aluminum cylinder with a/c lines running to it (accumulator dryer) or a steel cylinder with a sight glass on the top with a/c lines running to it(receiver dryer). They are relatively easy to remove and install. If you need any more help let me know and I might be able to come up with a service manual to get you the exact step by step procedure for it.

Oh yea one more thing. The dryer should be the last thing you install in the system. The rest of the system must already be sealed otherwise you will saturate the new desiccant bag in the new dryer.

Good luck.