greekstylist

Hi guys. A couple of days ago, my ac stopped working. The next day I started the car and the ac compressor was making a loud noise and then started smoking. I turned it off right away. My mechanic is away so I had to put a smaller serpentine belt to bypass the ac compressor. When I was putting the belt on, the pulley from the ac compressor fell off. My question is should I change the condenser and dryer with the ac compressor??

Thanks

machild

It is standard procedure to replace the condensor and expansion valve if the compressor has failed internally as the debris can clog those components. The dryer should be replaced any time the system is opened. In your case, it is not completely clear what actually failed - the external drive pulley or internally. If that can be determined then you would know your direction. If it can't be conclusively determined then take the safe route and do it all.

Fountain35

Where is the expansion valve located? I assume the dryer is easily accessible as well?

machild

Follow the refrigernat lines to where they go through the firewall to the interior (actually inside the heater box). The expansion valve is locate at that point - the lines will be connected to it. Dryer is near or included within the condenser.

greekstylist

Thanks for the help!

machild

So do you have a vacuum pump to pull the system down into a deep vacuum, refrigerant guages, a way to weigh the refrigerant, a scan tool that will get into and clear the faults in the HVAC controller?

greekstylist

No, but my mechanic does