White dust from A/C condensor

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Jun 14, 2006 | 11:50 AM

ssanto

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White dust from A/C condensor

Hi,

I'm rebuliding my 1985 F-150. I was just messing around and I put my air blower nozzle on the tube going into the AC condensor.

When I did, all of this white smoke blew out the other side. Anybody know what this is?

Thanks,
Sal

Jun 14, 2006 | 09:44 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

I wouldn't worry about it. You just cleaned it out is all.

Jun 15, 2006 | 01:16 PM

lsrx101

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: Lorain County, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssanto

If the AC system has been open for a while that dust is corrosion from inside of the condenser. If you plan to fix the AC, don't reuse the condenser.

Jun 15, 2006 | 08:55 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

That is a good point. Any time a system has been open for a extended period usually requires that the parts be replaced.

Jun 15, 2006 | 09:02 PM

ssanto

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What's an extended period of time? 3 months?

Thanks,
Sal

Jun 15, 2006 | 10:08 PM

lsrx101

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 1,776

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From: Lorain County, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssanto

What's an extended period of time? 3 months?

Thanks,
Sal

"Open" is a matter of interpretation. Lines disconnected is a gimme. Empty with leaks is considered open in the AC world. If it was working 3 months ago there would not likely be corrosion, at least not enough to blow out a cloud of dust. If the system leaked down 4 years ago and was not serviced, it's been "open" for 4 years. Heating and cooling around the system causes the air inside to expand and contract, thus drawing in moisture through the leak(s). Most of the metal inside an AC system is bare aluminum. How fast does aluminum corrode when exposed to air and moisture?
If there is that much corrosion in the condenser, what kind of shape are the metal lines likely to be in? The evaporator?
I have resurrected the systems on these trucks with just flushing them out piece by piece with good AC solvent. In your case though, there seems to be an awful lot of dust in the system that could come loose and foul the orifice tube or damage the compressor.. At bare minimum replace that condenser and flush if you are going to try and repair the system. You don't want to crash the compressor in that truck or you will be looking at replacing everything from the firewall foreward.

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