Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)
Replacing Compressor: Replace Combined Dryer/Condenser or Dryer Desiccant Bag Only?
MrTooth on 
Sun June 05, 2011 2:38 PM 
Year: 2002
Make: Hyundai
Model: Santa Fe
Engine Size: 2.4L
Country of Origin: United States
Hi all,
I bought a 2002 Santa Fe 2.4L I4 about 1.5 years ago. The AC has never worked, but my job now requires me to have working AC in the car.
Two independent shops diagnosed a bad AC compressor clutch. They both recommended replacing the AC compressor along with the dryer and expansion valve. For cost reasons, I will be buying my own parts and paying labor for the installation.
The dryer appears to be coupled to the condenser as a single unit. The compressor warranties and the shops both recommend/require that the "dryer must be replaced with the compressor". Is this referring to the desiccant bag inside the dryer (4a) or the entire dryer/condenser unit (4b)?
My parts list is below. Do you see anything missing? Would you suggest 4a or 4b? Thanks!!!
1) Compressor (Four Seasons 58187) : $243
2) Expansion Valve (Four Seasons 39087) : $18
3) O-Rings & Gaskets (Four Seasons 26797) : $9
4a) Drier Desiccant Bag (Four Seasons 83004) : $37
4b) Condenser w/ Drier (TYC 3030) : $95
Edited: Sun June 05, 2011 at 2:39 PM by MrTooth
TRB on Sun June 05, 2011 5:27 PM 
Depends on the failure.
4b is the best bet these days.
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Contact: ACKits.com
MrTooth on Sun June 05, 2011 5:35 PM
That's what my hunch was - better to be thorough the first time than to have to go back in. Thanks for the reply!
MrTooth on Mon June 06, 2011 10:12 PM
Any other suggestions? About to pull the trigger. Thanks!
JJM on Tue June 07, 2011 12:26 AM
Unless you want to become very experienced in replacing A/C components, I would strongly suggest staying away from Four Seasons.
We call 'em 4 Seizing's for a reason...
Joe
MrTooth on Thu June 09, 2011 12:12 AM
That bad, eh? Which brand do you suggest?
(I looked on ACKits.com but couldn't really find any brand names for the sake of comparison)
Thanks for your help Joe!
TRB on Thu June 09, 2011 12:21 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by: MrTooth
That bad, eh? Which brand do you suggest?
(I looked on ACKits.com but couldn't really find any brand names for the sake of comparison)
Thanks for your help Joe!
Compressor 20-21717
Compressor Type HALLA
Part Description COMP HS18 125mm PV5 01-04 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.4L
Compressor Model HS18
Clutch Diameter 125mm
Oil Type PAG 46
Oil Capacity Oz 7
Grooves 5
Voltage 12
Compressor Mount DIRECT
Coil Pos. 12
37-13686 RECEIVER DRIER/ACCUMULATOR
31-31053 EXPANSION VALVE
24-30314 CONDENSER
98-01053 FILTER-CABIN AIR
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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com
tomw on Mon June 13, 2011 2:39 PM
Tim is touting his own site.... Good.
I haven't been around much for the past several years, but have a soft spot in my head for four seasons. I heard nothing good about them, ever. Not one thing. I don't mean to demean anyone in particular, but from what I gathered, the 'remanufactured' compressors were what I would have called "repainted" compressors. I think they took all the 'unbroken' parts, and re-assembled them to make a 're-man'. No new reed valves, etc, just use the old stuff, making one good one out of two or three cores... Just guessin' here boss...
I'd spend the money the one time for the good stuff, and stay cool without having to pay for the job twice, the second time to do it right.
tom
p.s.
If he's doing the whole thing, and it sounds like it, wouldn't you recommend that Ester be used instead of PAG, or did things happen since back when?
tom
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simplificate and add lightness
Edited: Mon June 13, 2011 at 2:46 PM by tomw
JJM on Mon June 13, 2011 9:55 PM
My preference - with any vehicle repair - is to use brand new OEM parts, but if money is tight, I would strongly suggest quality rebuilt and aftermarket from the sponsor site. Search the forums - you would be hard pressed to find any issues or complaints (and it's not because they were deleted by moderators either).
Do you think we would be wasting our time volunteering for a vendor who pushes out junk that would end up giving us fits?
If you want nice paint jobs and packaging, go with parts from the chain stores. If you want quality, you've found the right place.
Joe
iceman2555 on Tue June 14, 2011 9:16 PM
The statement of using "OE' factory parts never fails to amaze. Most 'factory' parts are supplied by after market suppliers. None of the "OE's" actually make a compressor today. They are supplied by various sources thru out the world.
Most aftermarket compressor manufactures produce a quality product, at one time 4S produced one of the 'best' reman'd units in the market. The reman'd R4 compressor from them was about 85-90% new parts. Sorta like a rebuilt engine. A few years ago 4S moved most of their production south of the border and who knows what is being shipped today. I deal with several major jobber groups that still utilize their products and their warranty rate is about average.
Encountered a issue with several compressors supplied by a major "OE" in the last few weeks. Extreme noise issues at start up. Even when the entire system (except the evap) had been replaced and the systems were lubed and charged correctly this noise issue remained. What we discovered upon tear down inspections, was excessive bearing play on the crank/swash. This was only a few thousands out of spec, but sufficient to cause this noise issue. And no they were not make 'over there'. We replaced the compressors with a couple units from an after market supplier and viola...no more noise issues. The reasoning....a problem in production can occur with any manufacturer.
This is in no way a justification of 4 Season products.....there are more personal animosities toward this company that a simple compressor failure....but a statement of current market conditions.
The number 1 cause of compressor failures in todays market is lubricant related, either too much or too little...the flow of lubricant (major issue), contaminated or the incorrect type. Unfortunately the majority of these type failures can be eliminated by good repair procedures and valid system diagnostics. When discussing compressor failures/warranty issues with different suppliers/engineers, it is discovered that we all have the same basic complaints from the field. The vast majority of compressor warranty issue, it pains to say are the result of inadequate service procedures and lack of technician training. We are seeing more and more 'seasoned' techs showing up at our training sessions voicing a common thread....'these things have changed so much that I'm lost......"
As the vehicle repair population reaches into the later model vehicle....the issue with repair is fast out stripping the ability (or lack of proper service equipment) of the average DIY'er to successfully repair an AC system. Charge rates are so very critical, lubrication quantities, condenser restriction issues and a mis understanding of basic AC principles all contribute to make a successful repair harder and harder to achieve.
Dealing with the three major 'retail' suppliers indicate a high percentage of warranty issues with the retail market and these percentages seem to be elevating. One of these suppliers actually trace each compressor part number failures, date of sale, date of return, to whom the product was sold (retail vs. installer), and other information that many would find superfluous. This failure analysis indicates very little difference between new or reman'd units in the DIY'er market. Unfortunately, it is the nature of the beast....the same issue is rapidly becoming a issue with those 'pro tech' that refuse to update and purchase the necessary equipment to properly service a modern system. It is feared that they too will be forced out of the repair industry.
Ya'll have fun out there...and hopefully we have a very hot summer.....lots of 90+ days.....
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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
JJM on Tue June 14, 2011 9:54 PM
I think it is pretty much understood that OEM parts come from suppliers other than the manufacturer, but its the specification standards that set apart the OEM part from aftermarket. In other words, within the supply chain there are different levels of quality. Typically, when parts fail to meet OEM spec during production or fails quality testing by the OEM, I can assure you these parts are not discarded - they wind up in the aftermarket supply chain. Of course, this all goes out the window with final model year build-outs, in which case anything goes.
I guess to each is own... all I know is I'm too old to be fooling around with parts that are more prone to failure, don't fit properly, not cosmetically correct, or are just the wrong ones... just to save a few dollars. I want to do a job and just be done, for as long as possible.
Joe
JJM on Tue June 14, 2011 10:32 PM
By the way, just to add... we have a very recent example non OEM parts being the problem:
http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=22815
Had this unfortunate gentlemen used OEM parts, he would not be breaking his head trying to figure why the system isn't cooling, learning now that the job needs to be done over because of a wrong part, having got a tube and fin condenser to replace an OEM paralell flow. Had he went to any GM parts counter and ordered # 52474647 - or just ordered from Tim - he'd be done now.
He may end up doing just that, and what about the money paid for the wrong part? Will he be able to return it? Who knows? But who needs the trouble when we're all busy. Who wants to spend any of thier life concerned that the part installed is the correct one, and of the appropriate quality.
Joe
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