juanmor40

hello @chassis , what are you thinking? hose collapsed internally (as they used to in previous years), starving the compressor?

mekantor

Didn't take a photo, the lead from the harness carries 2 wires, and those connect through the original AC's harness to the ECV.

On the new one its more typical to what I've seen before, the red wire is a signal, and the black wire is grounded to the body of the compressor.

The old ECV had the code 2Z06W etched into it, but I can't find any reference to that.

The new condenser is in, it came with a new dryer as well, which I didn't notice when I placed the order, so I'll have a spare.
The old compessor is out. Still not sure which ECV to use with it.
Getting ready to flush the rest of the system, change valves, then hopefully close the circuit and vacuum it. I'm changing valves becuase I think the high valve was leaking, I had pressure at that cap when I last charged it.

mekantor

Ultimately replaced: the condenser+dryer, compressor, expansion valve, both schrader valves, and most gaskets (some sizes didn't match my kit of assorted gaskets).

I've previously purchased many Nissens products for MBs, mostly radiators, and they have been great. Their condenser for this car wasn't very good: the plastic frame was crookedly riveted into the metal, the transmission cooler clips were too large to fit under the OEM dust caps, and the stems were so frail that they began to break when being installed. I ended up reusing old stems.

I got a compressor on eBay which matched the EPC part number. Despite uncertainty with the ECV, it worked out fine. I confirmed that the signal and ground matched up properly before connecting it all. Its criminal how tight the space is in this engine bay, given that its a big SUV. This seems to be a normal and widely-applicable compressor, I don't know why its quoted at ~$1k at most retailers, I spent closer to $250 on it.

Did a flush with my air compressor and a bottle kit rented from Autozone, using dry air by passing it through a desiccant filter. A lot of gunk went out.
On Youtube I came by someone's tip of drilling out the old expansion valve and installing it for the flush, which allows everything to pass through better. I don't know how well the flush worked with the extra rear AC system, but it seemed to come out clear at the end.

Filled to spec with my giant Robinair machine, blowing nice and cold now!

juanmor40

Congrats! Now enjoy it