I have found some Freon 12, and I’d like
to get the air conditioning in my ’70 New
Yorker fixed up this year. I have even
found a new “receiver-dryer-strainer,”
which my mechanic says must be
replaced (he says he has fixed all the
leaks, one bad O-ring and a compressor
seal. What, exactly, does a “receiverdryer-
strainer” do though?
As the name implies, it has three functions:
• RECEIVER—Another name for an
accumulator, this smooths out pressure
pulses from the compressor.
• DRYER—it is filled with a desiccant,
probably silica gel, which traps and
holds any moisture that isn’t removed
by the evacuation process.
• STRAINER—Filters out any loose particles,
which could harm, mainly, the
expansion valve and the reed valves in
the compressor.
The RDS also has a fourth element…
• SIGHT GLASS—Lets you visually
observe the refrigerant charge level.
It can also incorporate female fittings
for the high pressure relief (blow-off) valve
and low-pressure cut-out switch.
If the only problem with the drier is
that is has been open to the atmosphere
for more than a few seconds, you can
resurrect it by warming in an oven (175-
200° F.) for an hour or so, cooking out
the moisture.
