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dead bug in Receiver Dryer

PredatorOmnivore on Sun August 28, 2005 10:58 PM User is offline

Year: 1993
Make: Toyota
Model: 4Runner
Engine Size: 6 cyl
Refrigerant Type: R-12

I am not making this up. I am not an experienced MAC expert. This is the first time I ever took off a Receiver Dryer. My AC was problematic intermittently: work perfectly for a week every time for long drives, one day work fine, next day, work for 4 minutes only, work for long drives, etc. I studied AC theory, I bought some gauges. I put the gauges on and the low and high side readings were well within the correct ranges and the AC worked fine, then I lucked out, because the intermittent problem re-occurred and the AC quit blowing cold air and the low side went way negative like -20”Hg. These symptoms indicated to me that the TEV was sticking closed. I bought a bunch of tools and a new TEV and a new RD and I finally made the time to start taking off parts to start flushing. I am not the original owner. I don’t think the AC was ever serviced other than perhaps some R-12 added. But I can’t know for sure because the DPO did not keep any records and when I questioned him, about previous repairs and maintenance, his answers indicated that he did not know the difference between a V-belt and the camshaft timing belt; so he is a useless reference. I am an experienced mechanic. I can reliably tell when some part I am removing is the original untouched part. I am pretty sure that I took off the original RD. Now this is what I am not making up. For every AC part I took off, I studied it. I really study any new procedure. I took off the RD and I looked inside to see what it looked like. You know, to see where the o-rings go, its orientation for replacement, etc. I peered inside one of the holes and I saw an oil embalmed dead bug. This bug could not have flown into the hole and died and gotten embalmed with mineral oil in the moments it took me to pull off the RD and peer inside. I have posted pictures of the dead bug inside the RD. I am skeptical about how long the bug could have been in the RD. I am amazed that the bug did not disintegrate in the turbulent flow of refrigerant. I don’t know which side of the RD the bug was in. I am going to draw little arrows all over the hoses and condenser ports and compressor ports, indicating the directional flow of the refrigerant, and liquid vs gas, relative suction vs high pressure just for my own education. So, has anyone ever found a dead bug in a RD before? I am going to give the bug to an entomologist friend of mine and I hope that she can tell me that the bug is a native of Japan only and therefore the bug must have snuck into the RD just after it was manufactured. I am also going to cut open the RD and study its construction and contents. I assume that the RD is also a filter and will collect crude on one side. I will also study the spent flush for bug parts and other crude. I have posted pictures of the dead bug at:

http://www.sendpix.com/albums/05082819/9jujdzz7hr/

Chick on Mon August 29, 2005 5:55 AM User is offlineView users profile

OK..Every time I say "Now I've seen everything" smething like this will pop up, so I won't say it.. Who knows how long he's been in there..Fom the factory? A repair shop? But, he's gotta go....Gives new meaning to a "cool bug".....

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Bigchris on Tue August 30, 2005 12:59 AM User is offline

What's this "he" stuff? Suppose it's a lady? Suppose she had children? Where are they now? How long will it take them to grow big enough to plug an orifice? Do penquins eat this type of bug or would it make more sense to sell the truck? Would Tim buy it? Well it is a Toyota!

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