New AC Compressor Questions - W124 1995 E320
 

My AC seemed a bit less cold and it seemed to cycle too frequently. My Indy found “dye all over my compressor”, so I guess I am going to have to replace the compressor with a rebuilt unit. In 2003, at the dealer (don’t go there anymore) I had the expansion valve replaced along with a number of other parts because dye was found “at expansion valve and receiver drier”. My receipt shows a number of parts, but nothing that looks like a receiver drier. In addition to a number of inexpensive seal rings, I have an “expansion valve” (140-830-04-84) for $47, a “container” (124-830-02-83) for $136, a “switch liqui” (004-820-68-10) for $42, and a “switch seat” (124-820-83-10) for $39.

When my Indy does the compressor, should I also request a new expansion valve and receiver drier? I read that the compressor may not be covered under warranty unless I also do the receiver drier. I also read that it was good practice to go ahead and also do the expansion valve.

Also, my Indy said he could get an aftermarket rebuilt compressor for about $600 from his supplier or he could get a rebuilt compressor from the dealer for $800. Is there any reason to get the more expensive $800 rebuilt compressor from the dealer?

My Indy also seemed confused about adding oil with the refrigerant. As a stopgap measure I decided to wait for a couple of weeks to do the compressor, in part because there was going to be a 5 day wait to get the compressor from his supplier and part because I wanted a chance to read about all of this on the forums. I asked that he be sure to add oil and he said it was still in the system and would not be removed by just pulling the vacuum and adding new 134a. He said he could add a little oil, but it seemed odd to me after I had read that you always have to add oil. I think the little cans for DIY even come with oil, so I am concerned that my Indy may not be as well informed as I thought. They have been in business since 1972. The business was started by two German mechanics and their sons took over the business. The dads still help a couple of days each week. Should I be concerned?

IF he gets a "DENSO" reman compressor it will BE the same as the dealer compressor.

The "liquid container" is the drier. & should be replaced after 4 years OR if the system is open(empty) for more than 24 hrs

The compressor should come with 120 cc of oil in it, I pour it out and measure just to be sure. You have to add an additional 10cc of oil for the new drier/receiver. Most compressor warranties state that you have to replace the drier/receiver, and some also include replacing the expansion valve.
Read the warranty!
Make sure your indy replaces the O-rings and adds the appropriate amount of oil, and you should be okay.

Thank you for both of the replies.
 

I will print this and keep it to refer to when I speak to my indy.

Also, pulling a vacuum will not remove any oil, so don't worry about it.

It looks like there is a Denso and a Nippondenso. Is that the same thing, i.e., same quality?

Essentially the same thing.

You should be able to get a rebuilt compressor for a whole lot less than $600, check ebay.

I missed the part about $600 - yikes! Yes, I would recommend shopping around. You can probably find one for half that amount.

I have seen posts saying others found compressors for $450.00, but if I get the one from my Indy's supplier or let my Indy get it from the dealer, he will assume responsibility for replacing things if there is a problem with the new part. I think that insurance will keep me with whatever my Indy can locate on his own, but I appreciate the heads up about the price being high.

You know, it seems that you guys on the forums can always get things done for much less than I can, even though I have switched to a very honest Indy and given up on the dealer. I was happy when My Indy replaced my exhaust with a 2-piece aftermarket version that was about $800.00, rather than the single-piece Benz exhaust from the Dealer that was $1300.00 or maybe it was even $1500.00. I was happy and thought my Indy saved me lots of money, but then of course I heard I could have gotten something for as little as half of what I paid for the 2-piece aftermarket exhaust. I'm just doing the best I can.

That said "container" 124-830-02-83 is the receiver drier.