A/C Problem

My 93 Civic has an air conditioning problem. I took it to a local shop
today and they say the condenser is bad. The want $400 just for the
part. That is crazy since I can get it online for about $100 shipped to
my house. They also say I need to change the Receiver filter. I can't
find any reference to this in the shop manual. Does anyone know what the
receiver filter is?? I am starting to think my shop is trying to rip me
off. If anyone knows what the receiver filter is please let me know and
describe it's location. Thanks in advance.

 

Many people refer to that big can looking thing as a receiver filter
drier accumulator (or some subset of those terms). It's all the same
thing. If the condenser is plugged up or leaking, the receiver almost
certainly needs to be replaced.

The receiver contains some material that absorbs water from the
refrigerant. That same material also acts like a filter. Sometimes
that stuff breaks down and gets into the system where it can cause
problems. If that is what happened, then the expansion valve should
also be replaced. or if the dessicant has become saturated, then
corrosion of parts may have occurred.

On the other hand, even if the condenser is the only part that failed,
the receiver should probably still be replaced. That's pretty much
standard procedure. When the system is opened for repair, moisture
will get into the system. A new receiver/drier will be needed.



Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor

 

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Why not describe the problem ? ?

'Curly'

 

Maybe the windows won't go down? <g>