996 (2003) air-con dryer location and removal

[hygt2]

Hi all,

My bad luck continues over the weekend with a small bird (duck?) crashing into one of my a/c condenser. I know how to take the front bumper off so I should be able to change the condensers without too much problems. I am thinking of buying the £199 set of condensers, dryer and o-rings from Design911 for £240 inc. VAT as my other side is not looking great anyway. I have never changed the dryer before so a few questions if I may;

1) where is the dryer located?

2) What do I need to strip / removal to get to the dryer?

3) Any specific tips on refitting the new parts? (e.g. soak the o-rings in oil or who tight I need to do all the nuts and bolts up?

4) Any systems that would need to be reset afterwards?

5) I am thinking of getting Kwik Fit to regas the system for £50. Any reason I should not go to Kwik Fit and go to more expensive placed?

Many thanks
Garry

[lukecollins]

Ok where do we start.

The drier is located after the receiver which is a vessel after the condenser (rad)

I would recommend that it is replaced (drier) at any time you break into the system to remove any moisture left in the system from air

Ideally after you replace the condenser you need to pressure test with dry nitrogen and then vac the system (-1bar) to lower the pressure into a vac and boil out any moisture and remove any air (In a vac water boils at approx 20 oc )

Hope this helps

Luke

[RiccardoG]

The dryer is located in the front bulkhead, opposite the passenger (RHD cars) and to the right of the battery. If there is no gas in the system then its easy to remove. I think you need to slightly lube the O-ring seals (get these replaced too).

[lukecollins]

Is the drier 240 pounds! These in the commercial world are only 15 pounds. There are a
Couple of methods to regenerate the drier if you don't want to swap it out. Worst case if its not swapped is blockage at tev and loss of refrigeration duty. Normally these are not changed when systems are recharged. Some refigerant charges have pag oil within as when you had your leak you may have lost some of the oil charge when the condenser let go.