the flyin' scotsman

My car is now fitted with a rebuilt Porsche a/c compressor and at the same time I replaced the main a/c hoses.

Its finally going in for a recharge and have a new drier that can be fitted prior to the gas going in...............whats the method to replace the drier quickly before going into the shop?...............tia

SeanR

It's really quite easy on our cars. Undo the fittings, release the clamp holding it on. Pull the condensor mount arm that goes to the front of the car out of the way and ease it out. Transfer the parts to the new one.

If there is an easier way I'd like to know. I've done 3 of them in the past week 1/2. Oil the seals and pop it back in.

Have you done the expansion vavle also? Might as well do it all.

the flyin' scotsman

Thx Sean...............I assume that there's no other major parts in the way.

I do have a new expansion valve............is it a quick R&R also?

SeanR

There really isn't much in the way of the drier, look down and plan on moving it a bit to your right as you pull it out. Just remember to move the condensor mount back to position before you button it up. Otherwise you will be taking it off from underneath and that is a pain.

The TXV is another story. 3 hex bolts hold it in place. When you get the allen key in there, give it a quick snap to release it, otherwise you might strip the head. Get the first one out and then take off the 10mm nut that holds the line in place. Use something to hold the small one back and then undo the clamp that holes the fuel cooler against the firewall. You will have to pry that back. Gently. I found it easier to pull the firewall clamp fittings off to do this. Busted a few knuckles doing to.


*edit. If you have some long hex sockets, push them through the rubber deal that holds the lines in place. From the engine through the firewall. You can use your fingers to turn them after you have broken them loose with the hex key.

Then you can get to the 2 small hex heads holding the rear lines in place. It's tedious but much better than doing the pre 86.5 TXV's. Take your time, make sure the seals and lines are in place before you tighten it all down and you should be good to go.

On my 88, I had to do it 2x and screwed up a seal before I had it right. Thankfully I didn't have that issue with the customers cars.

*once I replaced all of the front end, my rear A/C started leaking........I still don't have A/C in my car. Planned on that this weekend but have too much else to do.

Hope that helps.

the flyin' scotsman

The clamp is held in place by a 8mm head bolt...........did you access in through the front grill or from above with long wrench?

the flyin' scotsman

ok...........got the rxr/drier out..............accessed the clamp through the front grill with a 2" + 6" extentions a universal joint and a 8mm socket.

The next venture is that the new drier is longer than the OEM and not as round. Assuming the clamp will still tighten on the new drier I believe it will have to fitted higher to clear the bend of the PS cooler metal line then hopefully the lines have enough play to reach the now taller fittings.

Anyone with HOE is welcome to advise.............system is being recharged tomorrow.

Ed Scherer

Parker dryer-receiver by any chance?

IIRC, they're 2 or 3 mm smaller in diameter than the original Porsche part.

I used some additional self-stick padding on the inside of the clamp to make it fit correctly.

I recommend leaving the clamp bolt loose until you position and tighten the other fittings. Until I did that, I had problems with the high side hose elbow (that goes into the condensor) contacting the elbow on the hose that connects to the dryer-receiver output side. I got this fixed after taking the second photo by loosening the dryer-receiver clamp and repositioning it, allowing some more spacing between those two elbows. And that's a Griffith's barrier hose for the high-side hose (I had just installed a Griffith's Kuehl compressor, hoses, etc.).

the flyin' scotsman

Thanks Ed.............thats what I'd thought I'd do but great to have notes from someone whose BTDT.

Yes, its Parker rxr/drier.

I'll fit the new piece tomorrow am before heading to the GM shop.............its the only local place I really trust touching the car.