Another AC question

[RTLarson]

Ok, some genious took my compressor out and the whole system has been OPEN for god knows how long. Will I have to replace everything? Or can it be flushed, checked for leaks, then go from there? I found a compressor at pull a part (just sittin on the ground! no labor!), i bought it to use it as a core, if and when i get a new one.

[Supra5MGTE]

the drier has to be replaced FO SHO! the rest of the parts SHOUlD be flushed.

[RTLarson]

K, thanks! AC is bottom on my list but it's nice to know there's still a chance because i'm not spending a lot on it when the time comes.

[jdk_ii]

Oy.

Depends.

Since it's been open, moisture collects in the system.

This causes the aluminum lines to oxidize.

If it were me, and I was going to retain the stock system, I'd pull
the lines, clean them, and see if they ended up clean.

Then have the evaporator and condenser flushed individually.

The areas that are prone to be a problem:

Evaporator thermostatic valve - it's brass, so it can corrode.
EPR, the plunger could be siezed.
Line removal. Exposed to the elements, the lines might be tough to break loose


Then put in some new o-rings, drier and put in a compressor that you know at least "works".

Then, if you find a place that's cheap to pump a charge (r134 would be cheapest), see how that holds.

That will give you an idea how the system holds up.

AC systems, when they go on the downward slope in need of more repair,
can become a recurring money pit.

[RTLarson]

Guess i'll wait for the next ac retrofit group buy!