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1999 continental ac


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gahumble
User

Apr 17, 2012, 4:17 PM

Post #1 of 17 (2379 views)
1999 continental ac Sign In

my ma just returned from the dealer for ac compressor replacement. they did not replace the accumulator. estimate stated compressor, recharge a/c. $1008
in my 30 plus yrs. i've always replaced the drier/accumulator with compressor, also orfice tube. any reply's before i complain would be appreciated.


Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 4:25 PM

Post #2 of 17 (2376 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

What type of compressor failure was it? ie: leak, clutch problem, internal compressor failure?



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gahumble
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Apr 17, 2012, 4:54 PM

Post #3 of 17 (2355 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

leak. last year they replaced the suction hose


Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:09 PM

Post #4 of 17 (2351 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

Although i personally agree with you and many parts suppliers in out area actually require the accumulator be replaced to guarantee the compressor, that rule was put there because of all the shops that don't know what they're doing. Dealerships however have a different opinion on the subject and they really aren't wrong. Since the compressor was replaced for a leak, debris in the system is not a concern and unless the accumulator is so old that the risk of the bag tearing is high, it will still do it's job. As far as the orifice tube goes, they can tell by the pressures before teardown whether it was restricted or not.
I would have done it your way but I trust the job the dealer did.



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gahumble
User

Apr 17, 2012, 5:18 PM

Post #5 of 17 (2340 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

thank you kindly. if i had the equip. i would of done it myself. i do trust the dealer just have different views. have a good evening hammer.


Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:21 PM

Post #6 of 17 (2338 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

It's a relief to have a dealer that wasn't trying to sell you the whole farm for a change. If it was only a leak problem, it's no big deal.



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Discretesignals
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:26 PM

Post #7 of 17 (2332 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

I would have done it your way too. A lot of aftermarket and even factory parts won't warranty a compressor unless you replace the drier.

Seeing how it is a 13 year old accumulator desiccant and is getting a new compressor our shop would definitely had replaced it and the orifice too. Replacing it is preventive maintenance. You really don't know if that desiccant is saturated with moisture/acid or is breaking down getting ready to contaminate the system with desiccant. Plus you have the old PAG oil that has moisture in it. Thats like taking a shower and putting your stinky clothes back on, but that is my opinion.





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Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:32 PM

Post #8 of 17 (2322 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In


Quote
Seeing how it is a 13 year old accumulator desiccant



I didn't read that anywhere. He did state that the suction hose was replaced last year and the accumulator could have been replaced then. If the orifice tube isn't restricted, it's just as good as a new one.



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Discretesignals
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:41 PM

Post #9 of 17 (2318 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In


Quote
He did state that the suction hose was replaced last year and the accumulator could have been replaced then


Could have been replaced or it could be the original. We don't know that unless the OP has the RO copy for that job.

Accumulator is cheap compared to tearing the system back down because the desiccant blew out or it was saturated with moisture and acids ate out the evaporator later on. To me replacing the drier, if there is a big "?", is cheap insurance.

Removing the orifice and checking is a good idea. I just replace them because of the o ring that could leak. They are cheap too.





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Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 5:50 PM

Post #10 of 17 (2311 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

That's right. We don't know what the condition of the accumulator was but the dealership made a call to reuse it so I suspect they had good reason to do so. Just because something is inexpensive, doesn't mean it needs to be changed and being that it's a dealership, "cheap" could have a whole different meaning. I would bet that accumulator would have added $300 and since the orifice tube is an entire liquid line on this one, that would have been a couple hundred more.



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Discretesignals
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Apr 17, 2012, 6:13 PM

Post #11 of 17 (2304 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

You don't have to replace the whole line. The dealer sells an orifice tube kit. You just cut out the old captured orfice and install the tube kit with an orifice that you can change. Costs like $30 for the kit.

That makes it worse cause you really don't know the condition of the orifice screen on that design. The only way your going to know if the orifice screen is plugged up on a captured orifice is if your pressures go low, by then the compressor is starved for oil because there is no refrigerant flow.

Motorcraft accumulator is like 120 bucks.

$1000 just for the compressor, refrigerant, labor, diag is what you would expect from the dealer. A good independent would of sold you a new (not reman) compressor, accumulator, orifice tube kit, refrigerant, oil, diag/labor, with a one year warranty on the compressor and parts, and flush for that price.





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(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Apr 17, 2012, 6:16 PM)


Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 6:23 PM

Post #12 of 17 (2291 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

I have NEVER seen a dealer cut open a line to repair it rather than sell then a new line, nor have I ever seen anyone else take that route either. A good A/C tech knows if the tube is plugged or not. In this case i belive the factory suction line is part of the accumulator so it's likely already been changed also.

This is taken directly from Alldata



Quote
NOTE: Installation of a new suction accumulator/drier is not required when repairing the air conditioning system except when there is physical evidence of system contamination from a failed A/C compressor or damage to the suction accumulator/drier.


I know you love to discredit me but you're not going to do it this time.



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Discretesignals
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Apr 17, 2012, 6:32 PM

Post #13 of 17 (2286 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

I am not discrediting you. I am debating with you. We have a difference of opinion which isn't a bad thing because you learn things for that. I'm basing my opinion on the training and experience that I have gotten in the field.

Look in your Alldata under replacing the orifice tube.


Quote
A new suction accumulator/drier should be installed if one of the following conditions exist: - The suction accumulator/drier is perforated. - There is evidence of moisture in the system such as internal corrosion of metal refrigerant lines or the refrigerant oil is thick and dark.






Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Apr 17, 2012, 6:35 PM)


Hammer Time
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Apr 17, 2012, 6:38 PM

Post #14 of 17 (2278 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

Those orifice kits have been available for years but no one ever uses them. Everyone, including every dealer I ever saw repair A/C replaces the whole line which is 1.8 hours and a couple hundred dollars in labor by itself.

I too have over 40 years doing this stuff and stand by my answer. The poster is satisfied and this whole debate is unnecessary and just sending the OP all kinds of unwanted mail notices.



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nickwarner
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Apr 17, 2012, 7:45 PM

Post #15 of 17 (2258 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

Just to throw my two cents in:

Plus you have the old PAG oil that has moisture in it. Thats like taking a shower and putting your stinky clothes back on, but that is my opinion.


My local laundromat is pretty pricey. Please don't judge.


gahumble
User

Apr 17, 2012, 7:55 PM

Post #16 of 17 (2258 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In

i appreciate all the feed back. ma can't find last years reciept and i wasn't in town. who knows about the accumulator 13yrs or 1 yr? i agree with preventive maintenance replacement though. as for replacing the orfice tube with one of those repair kit's, not me! never even seen one. it's blowing cold now but it's only78 degrees. wait till the New Mexico ambient reaches triple digits. warranty is a year. thanks again for all the comments!!!!


Hammer Time
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Apr 18, 2012, 3:05 AM

Post #17 of 17 (2247 views)
Re: 1999 continental ac Sign In


Quote
Plus you have the old PAG oil that has moisture in it.


And that is the reason you run a vacuum on the system. All moisture will be boiled away and the desiccant returned to original condition.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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