Why It’s Important To Get A New Accumulator/Drier When Replacing A Car A/C Compressor
When the car A/C compressor is down, the only acceptable solution is to have it replaced. Oftentimes, the owner is left to think that once a new compressor is in place, the A/C will work fine again.
Well, this is true. However, it will not be long before another problem will occur because of neglecting one vital part of the A/C system, the accumulator/drier.
How the Accumulator/Drier Works
Although they do the same of removing moisture especially liquid refrigerant from the compressor, a car only gets either an accumulator OR a drier.
If you have an accumulator, it is the last component where the refrigerant passes through towards the compressor. It is a canister that has two fittings where the refrigerant is piped in and out.
If what you have is drier, you can find it after the condenser. It also has two fittings for the refrigerant to flow through. Unlike an accumulator, the drier is a much smaller canister.
Either of the two, both have the function of filtering residual moisture and harmful particles so that only the dried refrigerant can pass through.
How to Spot Accumulator Damage
Most of the time, a broken A/C is diagnosed to have a faulty compressor. The compressor has to be replaced for the air condition to work like new. Now that you know how the accumulator works, it would be more helpful if you can be able to point out that there could also be a problem on this vital part of the A/C unit.
Once the vents start to blow out stinky air, it is a sign that there is a problem on the filter. Excess moisture can cause mold to build up thereby producing an awful smell. This is only one indication that the accumulator/drier is acting up.
A loud rattling noise also indicates a faulty accumulator/drier. While it can mean that there are loose fittings or in the hose assemblies, it could also be because there is too much corrosion that has accumulated in the accumulator/drier.
A leak is a common problem on the A/C system. While there are many factors that can cause leaks, it is an issue that can also indicate an accumulator/drier problem. The reason why it is leaking should be pointed out and repaired at once or the refrigerant will be too low or gone causing the air conditioning unit to fully stop functioning.
Is a Replacement Necessary?
Technically, yes a replacement of the accumulator/drier should be in order. When it is damaged, it cannot filter effectively which will only cause a problem on the A/C. Even when it is not broken, the accumulator/drier will be exposed to the outside air once the compressor is being replaced. This exposure contaminates the filter and will not work properly even with a new compressor.
When it is time to change the compressor, don’t get lured by thinking that it is the only thing that is needed to be replaced. If you want to truly save for a repair, shop for compressors from the best dealers like the R & Y A/C Compressors. Also, do not skip the part about having to change the accumulator/drier. It will save you a lot of money and inconveniences in the future if you are going to replace it along with the compressor.