A/C accumulator?

I have a leak in the accumulator of my 1997 Ford Explorer and am curious if this is an inexpensive part and does it take special training to install, or can I buy one and install it myself? I'm no mechanic, but can usually handle the easy things.

A/C accumulator?
Since you have a leak there is like no freon to evacuate.





Mechanical know how is needed but there is no need for any expertise I just replaced the entire AC compressor, accumulator w/hose and return line - and I am a moron.





Your's does blow chunks though since most of the hoses and such run underneath other stuff to get to the Compressor.





The accumulator you asked about with hose is about $85 from Napa or Autozone (always do the hose with the accumulator if they are in two pieces. You'll need a plastic oring tool that used to life the spring holding the metal tube intot he firewall. And you'll need a wrench to loosen the nut holding the accumulator tube from the AC Compressor. Easy but dirty in your case.





On my 87 Mustang the AC stuff runs high in the engine bay. Not so with your 97.





If you willing to do the work and trace the lines it's an easy removal and install. About $200 in labor alone for someone to do it. My accumulator swap took me about half twenty minutes. Where your hoses run and getting to them will take 30 to 45 minutes probably.





The accumulator should be on against the firewall with a metal tube coming off of it and going into the firewall.





Accumulator and hose - $85 from Napa or Autozone. Comes with the orings.


Plastic oring/tube tool. - $10 for four (different sizes for the different hoses) Autozone





Good Luck.
Reply:Don't try installing this part yourself. To take the old part off, the entire AC system has to be evacuated. When you put the new part on the system will need to be charged.


In general I'd say only two things on a car should always be repaired by trained proffesionals, the ac system and the transmission. Becasue if you don't know what you are doing it's way too easy to cause mucho harm.
Reply:Replacing the accumulator will require the system to be emptied of refrigerant, the new accumulator installed, then a vacuum to remove the air from the system, and new refrigerant installed. Ideally, a leak test should also be performed, to make certain that the new part isn't leaking....





If you have the tools, you could do this yourself, but if you're like most of us, you'll need someone who does this sort of work to take care of it for you...
Reply:Take your car to a pro. If your not a mechanic, I'm sure you don't have the equiptment to legally do the job.
Reply:Anything to do with your a/c other than just a refill would entail tools and expertise the average person would not have, the a/c system is a sealed system and if you vent freon to the atmosphere it can be dangerous and in some places illegal. I suggest you take the car to a mechanic

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