Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

I have a question. When A/C compressor fails, it often spreads dangerous metal particles through the system and this leads to a more expensive repair bill. I wonder if installing a filter right after the compressor to catch these solid particles would be a good idea. Making it possible to only replace the failed compressor without the need for replacing other compnents in the system. And does A/C circuits that use drier receiver are more reliable, since a drier receiver will catch solid contaminatns and prevent them from reaching and damaging the compressor.

It has been common practice for years in residential and commercial installations to install a filter just outside the compressor assembly on the high pressure line. I can only guess that the reason it never caught on in automotive is that there is no gain.

grumpy old man wrote:It has been common practice for years in residential and commercial installations to install a filter just outside the compressor assembly on the high pressure line. I can only guess that the reason it never caught on in automotive is that there is no gain.

How there is no gain?. Auto A/C repairs are very costly only because when a compressor fails in a castrophic way it send metallic debris through the sytem. A filter will catch such contmaints and enable us to only replace the failed compressor rather than all A/C components.

Its all about the dollars. The manufacturer and the dealerships want you to return and pay for a more expensive repair. Planned obsolescence.

Rick

Automotive A/C systems should not be compared to an HVAC system.

Filters will plug if enough debris is present. They make thimble system mess guards as well as this inline filter. Personally would never use either. But they sell them for people thinking it will somehow save their compressor. They also make refrigerant in a can with a charging hose. Not the best way to charge a system. But people are making money by selling them.

https://www.ackits.com/in-line-filter-k ... e%20filter

Tim wrote:Automotive A/C systems should not be compared to an HVAC system. Filters will plug if enough debris is present.

And this is a good thing indeed. If the filter catches recirculating debris and becomes clogged then pressue switch should prevent running the compressor and the system is saved from bad operating conditions resulting from recirculating debris getting into the compressor and from blockage in circuit.

lolo55 wrote:

Tim wrote:Automotive A/C systems should not be compared to an HVAC system. Filters will plug if enough debris is present.

And this is a good thing indeed. If the filter catches recirculating debris and becomes clogged then pressue switch should prevent running the compressor and the system is saved from bad operating conditions resulting from recirculating debris getting into the compressor and from blockage in circuit.

The reduction of oil flow happens as the filter becomes clogged. Placing additional stress on a failing compressor.

The only way for this to be effective is for the filter to be large enough to do the job, and be installed on a new system.

As I said in the other thread you have open, a filter from a 15 ton HVAC system will work. It is about the same size as the compressor and would require a new discharge line - and finding enough space in a modern engine compartment for an item that large.

Just not practical for a manufacturer to install a device like this in the average car. Adding even a single dollar to the manufacturing cost of an automobile has a huge economic effect. Adding at least 3 new under hood parts would be hard to absorb on a $40k USD car - it would show up on the sticker price.

.