How to Determine if the Drier is Faulty?

[StEsther]

Automotive air conditioning dryer tanks are used for filtration; if faulty, they can cause blockages leading to the air conditioning system not cooling. If the material inside the dryer filter is damaged, it can cause dirt blockage in the pipeline. If the dryer filter absorbs too much water, ice blockage can occur in the refrigeration system pipeline.

[DeGenevieve]

I drive a car that's been used for several years. When the air conditioning makes strange noises or the cooling effect deteriorates, I suspect the receiver-drier might be faulty. The simplest way is to open the engine hood, locate that canister-like component, and carefully check its surface for oil stains or wet marks. If there are signs of leakage, it's definitely broken. Additionally, start the air conditioning and listen to the operating sound—if there's a hissing or abnormal roaring noise, it's likely that the receiver-drier is clogged or failing. Test the cooling function; if the air isn't cold enough or takes longer to cool, this also points to a problem. Use a pressure gauge to measure—if the high and low-pressure readings are abnormally high or low, these are signals. Don't delay if you encounter these issues; drive to a repair shop promptly for professional equipment testing. Otherwise, it might affect the entire air conditioning system or even lead to compressor failure, resulting in higher costs. During regular maintenance, remember to ask the mechanic to check the receiver-drier's condition to avoid major trouble in advance.

[Sean]

I used to tinker with car air conditioning myself, and the method to check if the dryer is faulty is quite straightforward. First, inspect the refrigerant flow by observing the small glass window on the dryer—bubbles should be uniform and normal; if it's blurry or the flow stops, it's a sign of failure. When measuring high and low pressures, abnormal pressure readings or a large gap between them may indicate a blockage. If the dryer feels excessively hot or cold to the touch, that's also abnormal—it should be warm under normal conditions. Checking for leaks is simple: apply soapy water around the dryer connections, and bubbles will form if there's a leak. If the air conditioning emits a foul odor when turned on, the dryer might be severely contaminated and needs replacement. Be cautious with this task—ensure the vehicle is turned off before inspection to avoid electric shock. Regular maintenance can save a lot of hassle.

[SanGabriela]

If the dryer bottle fails, the air conditioning often malfunctions. The most obvious signs include unusual noises, poor cooling performance, and leakage traces on the bottle. Pressure tests showing deviations from standard high and low pressure values—especially low high pressure—indicate a blockage in the bottle. A simple observation of chaotic or stagnant bubbles in the bottle's sight glass means it's time for a replacement. Upon discovering these issues, it's best to stop using the AC to prevent further damage to system components.