- Joined
- November 11, 2005
- Messages
- 56,683
- Reaction score
- 1,186
- City, State
- Brooklyn, NY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars
As the summer season approaches, the demand for A/C increases as well. Some A/C issues are small (low on freon, bad fuse, cycling switch, fan motor or relay) while others are larger (compressor, lines, accumulator, evaporator, condenser, etc). Let's tackle the task of replacing the accumulator. The 1995 Aerostar with front A/C uses this accumulator, and cycling switch:
These are general photos from the advertisement on EBay. Here are the actual parts:
The question that might come to your mind at this point is "how could a metal cylinder go bad"? The answer is that the OEM design wrapped the accumulator with insulation therefore trapping condensation which causes rust to accumulate. The previous owner added a green dye into the system to locate the leak. Under the insulation was a bath of sticky green dye which is very obvious so an ultraviolet light wasn't necessary in order to locate the source of the leak. Here is a side by side comparison of both accumulators:
The stock clamps will be a little loose on the new accumulator since it has no insulation to take up the space. The next installment will discuss the tools which are used.
These are general photos from the advertisement on EBay. Here are the actual parts:
The question that might come to your mind at this point is "how could a metal cylinder go bad"? The answer is that the OEM design wrapped the accumulator with insulation therefore trapping condensation which causes rust to accumulate. The previous owner added a green dye into the system to locate the leak. Under the insulation was a bath of sticky green dye which is very obvious so an ultraviolet light wasn't necessary in order to locate the source of the leak. Here is a side by side comparison of both accumulators:
The stock clamps will be a little loose on the new accumulator since it has no insulation to take up the space. The next installment will discuss the tools which are used.