a/c accumulator foam?

[Roadking]

I was reading the posts on a/c service and found the common complaint is the foam wrap around the accumulator.
Is it best to pull this foam off the accumulator in order to slow down the rust?
Or once it's started to rust is it just a matter of time?

Why do they have the foam on there in the first place?
It's pretty thin for insulating anything?

any thoughts?

 

[Deak]

Someone posted earlier that ford was telling their mexican dealerships to remove the foam- hot climates year round use of ac type of thing. If it has started to rust, I would prepare to replace it's a matter of time. But taking the foam off might slow it down. Thats how mine failed.

Deak

 

[Crankcase]

Take it off if warer is pooling on the top of the accumulator. Leave it on if it is in droplets on there though.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I'd remove it, then spray paint the steel. If your accumulator hasn't leaked, you're lucky. In order to replace it the A/C system must be discharged.

New accumulators don't have the foam, and it's really not needed. Ford's original intention was insulate the accumulator, since it gets cold.

 

[silver96]

I tried to take mine off the other day and it is stuck on there. I don't know if it is an adhesive or rust and old paint that is making it stick to the accumulator. It tears the foam when I try and take it off though.