Aircon receiver dryer

I have purchased a reconditioned aircon compressor for my 1998 550 Maranello.

The supplier tells me: “Before the compressor installation the AC system has to be flushed and the receiver dryer has to be changed”

Is it true that the receiver dryer has to be changed? I have not heard of it in the many posts I have read about aircon compressor here.


If so, can someone tell me the part number?

Thanks,

Antonio

 

The receiver/dryer is a lot like an oil filter for your a/c system, it catches imperfections and such and keeps things working as they should.

While I do not have the actual part number, I DO have a connection for you to get one:

McCains AC Parts
10930 Alder Circle
Dallas Tx 75238
972-685-6888


Hope this helps!

S

 

Yes. Replace it.

 

Your maintenance schedule calls for the receiver/dryer/filter to be changed every two years. Look in your owners manual.

 

I don't think there are many dealers that will actually do this. Is that something lost in translation where they meant the interior air filter? I seriously doubt there would be any benefit to exchanging the dryer if the system has not been open, especially with the miles our cars are getting.
If the system has been opened, it should be exchanged. If the system has been opened for longer, the system first should preferably be evacuated once or twice before exchanging the dryer, so there is a lot less moisture to absorb.
Why is the compressor being changed?

 

You MUST replace your receiver/drier when replacing the compressor. Why are you replacing the compressor? If it was leaking, the filter should be all that needs replacing with it. If it was making noise/seized/mechanically failed, you should replace your TX valve as well, at minimum.

 

166- Look in your owners manual. No, it is not the environmental filter.

I seem to remember you recommending 5 year intervals for some fluids to a Dino owner, so this may be unknown territory to you.
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Listen to this man, he does it day in day out for a living.

 

I am replacing the compressor because it was leaking through the seal in between the two halves (according to the mechanic). After a gas refill (we did two) cool air would be produced for only five days.

Thank you for the information, I will then replace the receiver/drier.

Anybody knows the part number and approx. price for a 1998 550?

Many thanks.

 

Eurospares are showing a new one at £80, they also have some used ones at 1/2 price- it is probably a common part anyway

 

Sheesh, that's an unnecessary sneer at my address, Taz. I realise some people here may somehow consider not following the Ferrari bibles as utter heresy, and me telling others there are other bibles and prayers out there somehow as dangerous.
Let me pray to my gods, I'm letting you pray to yours.

 

166- Sorry, just could not resist. Too much of a straight line. I might do some things not recommended in the manuals, but I never recommend them to anyone else, except the 5 year interval for cambelts on the 456s and 550.

 

Hi,

Is this Ferrari Part #64894200 DEHYDRATOR FILTER?

Thanks,

Antonio

 

Eurospares are listing that number as for the 550, used ones at about £40 and new to order at £80.
Page 56 heating and cooling, item 8 on the 550 section
If you put the part number in a google search a few suppliers come up

 

There are tons of substitutes for the receiver/dryer/filter.

 

Thank You for posting!

 

So, just to confirm, is Ferrari Part #64894200 DEHYDRATOR FILTER the only part that I need to purchase in addition to the compressor that I already have?

 

You will have to swap over the pressure switch but that would probably be a copper washer, the hoses look to be cone fittings so straight fit- look at the drawing on eurospares

 

You will need O rings as well

 

I got a quote from an official UK mechanic of 3 hours for the compressor change and gas refilling, which seemed reasonable. However, to change the receiver dryer they will charge 2.5 hours.

Does the receiver/dryer change require that many hours? Isn't it just like a filter change?

 

If it is like the 575M, the receiver/dryer/filter is riveted to the body, so needs to be drilled out and then either reriveted or the rivets replaced with a threaded fastener. That adds to the time. It is buried down there pretty deep, too. When my guys replaced mine, not sure whether they riveted it or used a threaded fastener.

We left the vacuum pump on her overnight to pull a really good vacuum and that really helped AC efficiency. Many shops only do it for 30 minutes or so.

 

Depends upon where it is, i changed a Mondial one in a few minutes but easy to get too.

 

Taz, would would be a good place to look for a substitute/rebuilt dryer - equivalent to Ferrari OEM?

For instance, I am looking at Polar Bear, Inc. but they only have an earlier version of the dryer I need https://www.polarbearinc.com/index.cfm/category/289/ferrari.htm (the one I need is part #64799500). Could you recommend another vendor where I could source a substitute item?

Thanks!

 

As long as it is the same physical size and fittings it will do the job, just need a bracket to fit it

 

Yup, no such thing as an updated receiver/dryer/filter as long as it fits. Polar Bear should be a good source for a new one. If possible, get one in a sealed package so you do not start with water already absorbed into the unit. Pulling a good vacuum will probably get most of it out, but might as well start with the best conditions you can. We put an OEM into mine, but that is mostly a waste of money. It did come sealed, though, and not much chance of moisture getting in here in New Mexico. We had 1% humidity here a year or so ago.

FBB used to bake his old one in the oven to get the moisture out. Eventually, though, they need changing.