Reciever/dryer does what it is named. It recieves and stores the liquid refrigerant that has condensed from a gas, to a liquid, in the condenser.Like water vapor that rises and cools. It becomes rain.In this case, the rain is (hopefully) r-12.It will puddle in the reciever and be avaliable for use. Inside the reciever/dryer, is a bag of dissicant.Same as in the box for the new camera,or electronic equipmeent, that you bought It will absorb any moisture that gets in the a/c system. I think it will hold about 20 grams of water. 1/20th of 1 drop of water will shut a a/c system down. Any moisture will circulate with the refrigerant and oil. When it goes through the tiny orifice in the expansion valve, it will collect as newly formed ice.The refrigerant changes tempature from about 150 degrees, to about 35 degrees in a flash, because the pressure has been lowered when it passed through the orifice. This ice will accumulate and block the orifice passage. Cooling will stop,and the a/c system will warm up. This ice will melt and the process will start again. Intermittant cooling is the symptom. When a a/c system is turned off, the pressures balance to about 75psi. Moisture cannot enter. Moisture can enter a system in the low side, when the a/c system is operating. Pressure in that side can be at a vaccum. Atmosphere will pressurize air and humidity through any leak.Some leaks only leak in one direction.NOt bouth in and out,This moisture will collect in the dissicant bag. When the bag gets old, it sometimes disentegrates and you need a new one. Teh vanagon reciever/dryer also has a sight glass for charging. When the bubbles disappear in the glass, the system is full. |
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