Receiver Drier with Rust or corrosion - Caused by contamination in system or inadequate evacuation, leaving moisture in the system. Receiver Drier with Filter/desiccant breakdown - This problem is unusual but occurs occasionally, especially if the drier is incorrectly installed in reverse.
All filter driers should be replaced every 2 years or by manufacturer's recommendation. The Receiver Drier's function in an automotive a/c system is to filter foreign material, remove moisture from refrigerant and to act as a reservoir to supply liquid refrigerant to the TX valve.
They are notorious for becoming restricted due to moisture, sludge, dirt, or oil that has entered the system from a poor service practice or extreme operating conditions. Of all these issues, it is excessive moisture that causes most filter driers to become restricted.
So when should you replace it? The simple answer is this: the AC dryer should be replaced any time your AC system is opened for service. While this may seem unnecessary to some mechanics, most would agree that this is a good rule for replacing the AC dryer.
It's worth noting that if you don't replace the drier when you change a compressor you will invalidate your warranty protection.
The average cost for an Air Conditioning Receiver Drier Assembly Replacement is between $333 and $417.
No, you should never run your AC without a filter!
The purpose of your air filter is to clean your home's air and to keep your AC system dust- and dirt-free, which is why it's important to only run your AC with a filter installed.
If your drier is clogged or contaminated, then your A/C likely won't be able to cool your cabin sufficiently. Debris inside the A/C system can clog the drier and cause the desiccant to mix with the refrigerant and lubricant.
Paul DeGuisseppi of MACS provides a simple test for checking whether or not the receiver drier may be restricted. Using a contact thermometer, check the temperature of the inlet and outlet pipes; if the difference is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or more, the A/C unit is probably clogged and needs to be replaced.
If the suction line drier is left in long enough, it may become fully saturated if there's a lot of moisture present. Then the drier begins to disintegrate, resulting in abrasive materials running through a system. Big mess. Don't let it happen.
Since even a small amount of dirt, water, or debris can wreak havoc on your air conditioner's sealed system, you'll need to replace the filter drier whenever the system is opened. That means if you replace a compressor, TVX, or any other component in the refrigerant system, you should also install a new drier.
Receiver driers are filtering units with the primary function to receive and store some liquid refrigerant from the condenser. The receiver drier filters out the particles and debris that flow into the circuit and absorb any moisture.
Any time the system is opened up to the atmosphere, the filter drier must be replaced.
The receiver/drier functions as the filter for the A/C system, removing contaminants and moisture from the refrigerant. Receiver/driers are always found on A/C systems which have an expansion valve and are located on the high side of the system, usually between the condenser and the internal expansion valve.
Filter drier replacements: $400 to $600. Breaker or fuse replacements: $75 to $300. Line set replacements: $800 to $2,000.
The filter drier is responsible for preventing moisture and contaminants from entering the refrigerant. If it's faulty, it could lead to refrigerant leaks, which are often noticeable as a pool of liquid near the unit. Finally, if the filter drier is blocked, it could lead to ice forming on the coil.
The receiver drier also referred to as a filter-drier or receiver-dehydrator, is a filtering unit located on the high-pressure side of an A/C loop, normally between the condenser and expansion valve.
Clogs in the condensate drain line cause moisture to back up in the air conditioner, which can be damaging. The repair cost to have the drain line flushed runs between $75 to $250. If replacement is needed because the condensate drain line is damaged, a new condensate drain line is usually only around $20.
As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to replace your filter drier every 2-5 years, depending on the specific type of filter drier and the amount of use your air conditioning system gets. However, it is also important to regularly inspect your filter drier for signs of wear and tear.