Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

Working on the AC system in a new to me 1995 Jaguar XJS with a Sanden SD7H15 compressor. I have replaced the condenser (due to a hole) and the drier (due to a broken desiccant bag) and the Expansion valve (just for good measure). I opened the compressor to inspect everything and found one piston to be missing the rings. I did not find any remnants of the rings anywhere in the system when flushing the hoses or the evaporator.

Before taking the system apart the compressor sounded fine and made good pressure on the high side. The cylinder walls look good and show no signs of scratches or damage. Is it possible that this was done on purpose or does this compressor need to be replaced?

Hard to tell but replace the compressor. 1995 is over 20 years old.

Thanks for the input guys. I've got a new one on the way.

As for the TXV, there aren't many Jaguar original ones left floating around! I did find one from Four Seasons that meets the original specs so hopefully it will perform as well as the original.

The old drier is a mess inside as the desiccant screen on the inlet side is broken. Luckily, the outlet side is still in tact and there aren't beads in the TXV or the evap.