A/C help

A/C fixed!!!!!
I got into my guy's shop 6/12/12, repairs as follows.

1.Recovered refrigerant in his machine, 5.2 lbs., not overcharged according to the firewall sticker stating 5.5lbs.

2. Pulled orifice tube, (was a bear to get out) no foreign material.

3. R & R orifice tube, accumulator. At this point I suggested that why not swap the compressor and clutch, since the system was drained and the opportunity was there. The compressor and clutch had over 400k miles.

4. Pulled vacuum and recharged, sniffed for leaks and found one at the accumulator inlet and fixed it (better O ring).

5. Recharged and got 38* inside the dash outlet, BUT, no refrigerant to the sleeper (lines hot). I slammed the expansion valve several times with a wrench and it opened and the sleeper started to cool down.

Granted, all this was in a shop with the engine fan cycling like it should. Out in the real world now, the compressor has not cut out for 1500 miles and the system seems to be working well. I don't have a probe thermometer to put in the vent so no numbers. Honestly, the system feels "almost" as cold as it was when running down the road. Before, when it was cutting out, it got really cold just before it cutout. I can only guess the compressor was going to the maxx then cutting out due to heat/stress.
It'll be put to the test in the next few days on my way to Ca. on I 40

Cost: 1 day, $402 parts, $270 labor. Thanks for your interest, K. Lee

 

^^ Yeah^^, I was happy with the bill.
This man is an independent shop but really seems to know his stuff and has integrity. He has two other guys working there doing the "non glamorous" stuff.
So far so good on the repairs, ran from Tucumcari, N.M to Kingman, AZ. today at 85/95* ambient and everything seems to be working right.
If you're in S.C he's at I 26 exit 72 a little ways off the interstate, Dowd Diesel 803-276-8705 "Rick"

 

Yep, you're right. Sleeper system will work for awhile after first engagement. I'll drive a few hours and then just ambient temp out of the sleeper vents. BTW, the sleeper is a Double Eagle with a Red Dot system in it, Thermo King has the parts. I run the gen and roofmount when I'm shut down so the sleeper system will have to wait. At least the cab is nice when I'm driving. Shutdown in Kingman,Az. two nights ago, 104* at 9:00 pm, cab temp felt fine.
I'm getting along just fine right now, I don't really want to dump the system just to replace the expansion valve in a system I don't really use much. BUT,, if I did decide to replace the slpr. exp. valve and work REALLY fast, can I get away without replacing the accumulator (dryer)? You think the system will pick up enough moisture to require replacement of the "dryer"?