Can I Reuse The A/C Accumulator? New Air Conditioning Hoses Are Too Expensive. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squiggle Dog · #1 07-31-2016, 10:10 PM

I am working on replacing most of the air conditioning system in my roommate's 1991 W126 350SDL. The hoses have leaks and I couldn't believe the prices for new hoses! $800 just for the suction hose. New hoses are out of the question, and they probably aren't barrier hoses, anyway. Right?

I'm going to take the hoses into a hose shop that will rebuild the hard lines with new barrier hoses so they will be compatible with R134a since a previous owner had a parallel-flow condenser custom-made and was done so well that it looks factory. Or maybe it is?

The suction hose has an accumulator on the hard line portion, right before it connects to the compressor (the compressor is being replaced with a new one). The car has a separate drier as well. Can the accumulator be reused? If not, then what? Spend $800 on a new suction hose that won't have barrier hoses on it? Or can the hose shop just cut it open and replace something inside?

BWhitmore · #2 07-31-2016, 10:37 PM

A good hose shop will be able to replace the entire hose at a cost far less than $800. My guess would be around $80 per hose. The accumulator should not be re-used. I have never heard of rebuilding the actual hose. Unless you are a purist, the accumulator can probably be replaced with an accumlator of similiar size. You will probably need to fabricate a way to mount the new accumulator.

Squiggle Dog · #3 07-31-2016, 10:40 PM

This is for a 1991 350SDL, though, an oddball car, so they all seem to cost a fortune for a new one, that's why I want a hose shop to rebuild it. I've had them rebuild hoses in the past. They just cut off the old hose off of the pipe and then crimp on a new one.

The accumulator is not sold separately. It comes with the hose assembly that costs $800. So I guess it's either buy the $800 hose or scrap the car?

Squiggle Dog · #4 07-31-2016, 11:06 PM

Also, I am finding (just looking at pictures on eBay auctions) that on brand new hose assemblies, no matter whether it's Genuine Mercedes (CRP Contitech BARRIER Hose) or URO brand (Goodyear R134a Hose), they all come with hoses that are R134a compatible. It's just too bad about the price for the suction hose for this particular model.

BWhitmore · #5 07-31-2016, 11:53 PM

Once the accumulator hose has been opened it is not a good idea to re-use the accumulator withour risking damage to the compressor and expansion valve. I am suggesting that a new accumulator can be found at a lot cheaper price than a new MBZ accumulator with hoses. You may need to fabriate a mount and also ask the hose shop to make new hoses that adapt the new accumulator. Many accumulators have threaded connections for hoses. The accumulator cannot be cut open and cleaned. As you noted, the ends of the hoses are crimped in place. If the actual hose is good, a hose shop can install new metal hose connections by crimping new ones in place.

Rick76 · #6 08-01-2016, 05:30 AM

Is that an accumulator or just a damper or muffler? It may be hollow.
You will need to change the receiver/drier.

jay_bob · #7 08-01-2016, 06:57 AM

That is what I was thinking, that is just an expansion area and does not have any expendable material (like the receiver dryer).

Mxfrank · #8 08-01-2016, 07:24 AM

I think we're confusing the receiver/dryer with the accumulator. The accumulator doesn't have a desiccant charge, and so can be flushed and reused. I did this with mine almost 14 years ago, and it's still fine.

ridgerunner · #9 08-01-2016, 08:17 AM

Just a tidbit of personal info about URO parts. DON'T buy anything that has rubber or plastic from URO. It's junk and will not hold up. I've learned the hard way, some time back.
But, just my opinion.

Squiggle Dog · #10 08-01-2016, 08:26 AM

I don't know if it's actually an "accumulator", it's just some sort of pod that is part of the tubing and apparently not found on a lot of models.

There is a separate drier which is going to be replaced with a new one (a BEHR unit surprisingly made in China).

The hoses are bad as they are 15 years old and not barrier hoses.

URO generally seems junk, but I noticed that they use Goodyear hose.

I was really hoping to have all necessary supplies here by the weekend and not have to dink around with fabricating things.

compu_85 · #11 08-01-2016, 08:40 AM

That isn't an accumulator, just a muffler. No reason to replace it.

-J

leathermang · #12 08-01-2016, 09:17 AM

I am thinking it is just a noise or vibration abatement device... like several have mentioned...
Can you describe where IN the refrigerant ' stream ' it occurs ? Which ' side ' of the compressor is it mounted on ?

funola · #13 08-01-2016, 09:24 AM

From Googling:

Accumulators and receiver/dryers serve the same function, i.e. removes moisture, therefore both must have desiccants.

Accumulators works in conjucntion with an orifice tube, receiver dryers works in conjunction with a TXV- they cannot be mixed and matched.

Accumulators are installed in a different location than receiver dryers.

Accumulators are generally bigger in size than receiver dryers.

Based on the above, and you said you have a receiver dryer elsewhere, that is not an accumulator.

leathermang · #14 08-01-2016, 09:39 AM

Funola, You should know that MB , or the English , do not necessarily use the same nomenclature that we do over here.... so the use of Google for a definition which may have suffered from translation in the first place means it is not definitive.
It can be an accumulator without being a replacement for a receiver dryer...
Is his system an orifice system ?
These types of things are also put on air compressors ... for reducing the noise level .. but an accumulator could be for the purpose of isolating pulses/ vibration from a component downstream ...

compu_85 · #15 08-01-2016, 09:43 AM

It's on the discharge port of the compressor.