A/C suction hose, what's this part?
 

Is this an inline filter or some sort of muffler? The hose on my '90 300SEL leaks and I plan to have it rebuilt at a hydraulic shop and am curious what exactly that part is... as I would like to install an inline filter since the system has failed.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...5457AChose.jpg

To The Top for Tuesday

My vote is that the part you are asking about is a muffler.

What's that thing on the other line?

I believe that other "thing" is the drier.
Al

Surely not.

The thing indicated by the arrow is definately a muffler.

I'm guessing the other thing is a fuel cooler. It's on the low side - so cold - and appears to have fittings to attach, well, something. My gasoline 124 has a setup where the a/c cools the fuel.

- JimY

Will the muffler flush, or am I SOL?

A bump for the new week, summer is here and I'd enjoy not having to purchase a new hose!

Mufflers are almost always replaced - it is not recommended to flush them since you cannot get all residue or particles out of the baffles. I recall reading that somewhere not too long ago. Actually I read it in 3 or 4 different places (one of them most likely here) so I take it to be a pretty good rule of thumb.

Can I remove the damned thing?

No, it's on there for a reason. I know the *primary* reason is to reduce noise, but again I recall reading somewhere that removing a muffler may affect refrigerant flow detrimentally. In short, it could change the operating characteristics of the system.

In the past I have just had to bite the bullet and replace the hose.