Alfa Romeo Forum - View Single Post - 1996 Alfa 164 Super 24V

Avocet · 08-05-2008

The receiver / dryer unit is full of a dessicant. It can't be "serviced" as such and must be replaced each time the system is open to atmosphere. Your AC man should have replaced it when he did the work unless it had been replaced farily recently. I would have thought that any unit which had been on the car more than about 5 years ought to be replaced. If he has used the wrong oil / refrigerant, it will definitely need to be replaced as it will be saturated with the oil now. NOTE that leaving them open to atmosphere for more than about 15 minutes renders them USELESS! So it's vital to keep the end plugs on until the very last minute.

Another thought would be to ask him to put some dye in the system. This is great for finding leaks. Just put some in, run the system and then go round all the joints and major components with an ultraviolet light.

08-05-2008	#18 (Post Link)
Avocet AO Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 324 Member car: 1990 164 Lusso V6	Re: 1996 Alfa 164 Super 24V - A/C Gas Type ?! The receiver / dryer unit is full of a dessicant. It can't be "serviced" as such and must be replaced each time the system is open to atmosphere. Your AC man should have replaced it when he did the work unless it had been replaced farily recently. I would have thought that any unit which had been on the car more than about 5 years ought to be replaced. If he has used the wrong oil / refrigerant, it will definitely need to be replaced as it will be saturated with the oil now. NOTE that leaving them open to atmosphere for more than about 15 minutes renders them USELESS! So it's vital to keep the end plugs on until the very last minute. Another thought would be to ask him to put some dye in the system. This is great for finding leaks. Just put some in, run the system and then go round all the joints and major components with an ultraviolet light.