I recently searched the archives on the general question question of refrigerants (R12 conversions to R134, etc), and read that when one "cracks open" the system, one should always replace the Rec/Dryer.

My vehicle has not been converted to R134 from R12 ( R12 is no longer available in Canada ). A local AC shop charged the system with R134a, which worked well, but only lasted about a week.

My buddy, a Staionary A.C Techie, pressure tested and revealed a leak at the left elbows of the condensor, which I had replaced, and at that time the shop found leaks at the compressor seals and replaced them.

My buddy then vacuumed and pressure tested the system and found it to be leak-free. He then added R414b 'drop-in' type, but the compressor clutch will not engage, the cause seems to be no pwer going to the compressor from the Rec/Dryer switch (we're still working on that aspect).

I was wondering if the shop who re-charged with R134 might have fouled the compressor system, or if in replacing the Condensor, we should have also replaced the Rec/Dryer.

Any thoughts, friends?

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1984 300SD TURBO DIESEL