C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

[D S.]

I believe the drier on my '70 AC system is clogged. With the system loaded with freon the lines are wet and cold up to the drier and then the drier is room temperature as well as the coils in front of the radiator. I can have the orignal one rebuilt for under $120 or buy one that the seller says is correct and rebuilt for $30 less. What are identiying marks or characteristics of original '70 driers? Photos? Mine is still attached and I can't see much else other than the top.

Thanks,
Scott

[Peter L.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Scott - $30 vs $120 for the "correct/original" rebuilt AC driers for a C-3 is interesting. Big difference. Why? Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Scott - $30 vs $120 for the "correct/original" rebuilt AC driers for a C-3 is interesting. Big difference. Why? Pete

[Dick W.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Without a picture I cannot describe the differences in the original and the replacement driers Pete, but there is an obvious difference. Same for the condensers, except it is a little easier to describe.

[Dick W.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Without a picture I cannot describe the differences in the original and the replacement driers Pete, but there is an obvious difference. Same for the condensers, except it is a little easier to describe.

[D S.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Peter, I must have confused the wording in the pricing in my post. The $30 is the difference between having mine rebuilt for $120 and buying a rebuilt one for $90. I just wanted to make sure the rebuilt one for $90 is exactly like the 1970 factory issue. I would have to pull mine off and compare them side by side visually unless there are some distinct markings, wording, configurations, or characteristics I need to look for.

Thanks,
Scott

[D S.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Peter, I must have confused the wording in the pricing in my post. The $30 is the difference between having mine rebuilt for $120 and buying a rebuilt one for $90. I just wanted to make sure the rebuilt one for $90 is exactly like the 1970 factory issue. I would have to pull mine off and compare them side by side visually unless there are some distinct markings, wording, configurations, or characteristics I need to look for.

Thanks,
Scott

[Jim T.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Does the one on your 70 and the rebuilt one both have sight glasses at the top of the unit? If the desiccant bag has ruptured in your drier you will have to do more than just replace the drier. There is an very small metal screen filter in the inlet of the expansion valve that should trap any flowing desiccant. When it traps the desiccant it also stops the flow of R12. The condensor will have to be flushed, the line to the expansion valve left off to flush the line beginning at the drier connection for the condensor to the expansion valve. If you are going to do this yourself a easy out tool can be helpful in backing out the very small metal screen using only your fingers to turn it. If you have a Chassis Service Manual you can see the view of the expansion valve and the screen.

[Jim T.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Does the one on your 70 and the rebuilt one both have sight glasses at the top of the unit? If the desiccant bag has ruptured in your drier you will have to do more than just replace the drier. There is an very small metal screen filter in the inlet of the expansion valve that should trap any flowing desiccant. When it traps the desiccant it also stops the flow of R12. The condensor will have to be flushed, the line to the expansion valve left off to flush the line beginning at the drier connection for the condensor to the expansion valve. If you are going to do this yourself a easy out tool can be helpful in backing out the very small metal screen using only your fingers to turn it. If you have a Chassis Service Manual you can see the view of the expansion valve and the screen.

[D S.]

C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Yes, they both have sight glasses on the top. I was wondering if there was a filter in there somewhere but I thought it would be at or near the drier. I'm hoping the expansion valve is easy to get to as I have a big block engine stuffed in there. Is that filter located in the line on the bottom of the EV or in the EV itself? Do I just clean the filter and re-insert it or should I purchase a new one? Where?
Flushed with just water and then compressor air dried?
Good thing I got lots of R-12. And thanks so much for taking the time to help me out on this. I would rather totally clean the system before installing a new drier than have it clog up somehwere else. The summers here in Texas can be scorchers and I want to get this done this Winter.

Thanks,
Scott

[D S.]

C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Yes, they both have sight glasses on the top. I was wondering if there was a filter in there somewhere but I thought it would be at or near the drier. I'm hoping the expansion valve is easy to get to as I have a big block engine stuffed in there. Is that filter located in the line on the bottom of the EV or in the EV itself? Do I just clean the filter and re-insert it or should I purchase a new one? Where?
Flushed with just water and then compressor air dried?
Good thing I got lots of R-12. And thanks so much for taking the time to help me out on this. I would rather totally clean the system before installing a new drier than have it clog up somehwere else. The summers here in Texas can be scorchers and I want to get this done this Winter.

Thanks,
Scott

[Richard M.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Hey Scott,

I don't know much about the C3s, but I don't think you want to flush with water. That's what ruins AC systems....moisture. Once you get any dessicant particles out of the system(if present), it may be worth a trip to a AC shop to have it solvent flushed and evacuated(pull a vacuum)....unless you have this equipment yourself?

I've rebuilt the R12 AC system in a XKE we own which uses the factory original GM A6 compressor, which I think is yours too. Getting 32F at the vents at idle. I found a wealth of information at this site:

http://www.autoacforum.com

It's a great source of info on these older systems. I got most info by just searching and reading previous topics.

Rich Mozzetta #13499
59 & 62 Corvettes
72 Jaguar XKE V12

[Richard M.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Hey Scott,

I don't know much about the C3s, but I don't think you want to flush with water. That's what ruins AC systems....moisture. Once you get any dessicant particles out of the system(if present), it may be worth a trip to a AC shop to have it solvent flushed and evacuated(pull a vacuum)....unless you have this equipment yourself?

I've rebuilt the R12 AC system in a XKE we own which uses the factory original GM A6 compressor, which I think is yours too. Getting 32F at the vents at idle. I found a wealth of information at this site:

http://www.autoacforum.com

It's a great source of info on these older systems. I got most info by just searching and reading previous topics.

Rich Mozzetta #13499
59 & 62 Corvettes
72 Jaguar XKE V12

[D S.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Thanks for the Web link, Rich. I bookmarked it for future reference. It makes sense to use a high viscosity oil to flush the system. The part that stumps me is that the line gets wet and cold up to the drier but the drier and COND line to the condenser coils and condenser coils themselves are room temperature. That would seem to indicate a clog at the drier's EVAP location. I assumed that there is a filter clogged there. As old as the system is flushing the lines between the drier's OUT line and through the condenser coils to the evaporator valve seems to be necessary to ensure an efficient operation. Cleaning the little screen filter, too. Fun.

I do like those Jaguar '50s XK drop heads and XKEs particularly the '60s convertibles with the glass covers over the headlamps.

Scott

[D S.]

Re: C-3, AC drier (accumulator)

Thanks for the Web link, Rich. I bookmarked it for future reference. It makes sense to use a high viscosity oil to flush the system. The part that stumps me is that the line gets wet and cold up to the drier but the drier and COND line to the condenser coils and condenser coils themselves are room temperature. That would seem to indicate a clog at the drier's EVAP location. I assumed that there is a filter clogged there. As old as the system is flushing the lines between the drier's OUT line and through the condenser coils to the evaporator valve seems to be necessary to ensure an efficient operation. Cleaning the little screen filter, too. Fun.

I do like those Jaguar '50s XK drop heads and XKEs particularly the '60s convertibles with the glass covers over the headlamps.

Scott