Non Mustang AC ?

[RustyRed]

Working on a few things on the TA over the last couple of days.

I ordered a new AC compressor this morning and ordering a new AC line since the one in the picture has a crushed spot in it...figured better to just bite the bullet and replace it while it's out.

I have no idea if the accumulator / dryer in the picture works or not...compressor was burned up when I bought the car.

Anyone know if these are proned to going bad? Debating bolting it back on with the new parts and seeing if it works or just replacing it while it's out.

 

[AzPete]

I have always replaced them as recommended from shops......

 

[Sluggo]

Did the compressor grenade internally or is it just locked up?

If I remember, those systems have an oriface that should be replaced also.

 

[RustyRed]

Did the compressor grenade internally or is it just locked up?

If I remember, those systems have an oriface that should be replaced also.

Don't know. When I bought the car the guy said it didn't work. Investigating there was no compressor belt installed and it was clear it had leaked oil all over the radiator overflow right below it. My guess is it's locked up since the belt was awol.

 

[daveSanborn]

I have no idea if the accumulator / dryer in the picture works or not...

There are no moving parts to this component. It's designed to remove moisture/condensation from developing within the system. It, along with a new orafice tube should be replaced anytime the compressor is replaced.

 

[RustyRed]

There are no moving parts to this component. It's designed to remove moisture/condensation from developing within the system. It, along with a new orafice tube should be replaced anytime the compressor is replaced.

Thanks for the info guys.

I found it for about $50 for both the dryer and the associated smaller piece of hose / tube.

Figured for that much I may as well replace it now while it's already out of the car instead of later.

On the plus, after a little looking around I found the larger piece of AC line in the picture above for about $75 cheaper then the first place I found it.

I am finding the Trans Am is not like a Mustang where you have your choice of catalogs to order out of. Sometimes you have to get something where you can find it since there seems to be fewer vendors and they seem to have a more limited selection of things they carry.

 

[daveSanborn]

On the plus, after a little looking around I found the larger piece of AC line in the picture above for about $75 cheaper then the first place I found it.

Rather than purchase a pre-made AC hose specifically designed for your car from a parts vendor, have you considered having a local hose shop make you a new line? It could be a LOT cheaper. Around here, most NAPA/CarQuest stores can whip out a new line in just a few minutes.

 

[RustyRed]

Rather than purchase a pre-made AC hose specifically designed for your car from a parts vendor, have you considered having a local hose shop make you a new line? It could be a LOT cheaper. Around here, most NAPA/CarQuest stores can whip out a new line in just a few minutes.

Not sure who around here could / would do that except for maybe O'Reilly Auto. I wouldn't trust the guys at the local Auto Zone since they don't seem to know the difference between a spark plug and a radiator hose...i.e. why I always go to O'Reilly and very rarely go into Auto Zone.