A/C black death?

Joined
Dec 22, 2015
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9
Location
Oklahoma
I removed the orifice tube form my 08 explorer today and found this....see pictures below. Is this what is called black death? If so, what is the next step in fixing it? I have read that flushing the system does not get all of the contaminants out of the system. Does this mean that the whole AC system would need to be replaced (compressor, hoses, accumulator)?
 

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Yes, that looks like black death and IMO, you will need to replace everything in the AC system other than the evaporator which is probably behind the dash and not easy to replace. That would have to be flushed very well.

If any of the AC lines have filters or mufflers in them, they would also have to be replaced. If not, you should be able to remove them and flush them.

Did the compressor fail or was it making a lot of noise?
 
WOW! I didn't name it, but somebody seems to have called it right! That crap seems to be impossible to remove without new parts!
 
Impressive carnage. Thanks for posting the pics! I've removed the orifice tube from my 1995 Escort and what I saw on it was nothing compared to what you posted.
 
The compressor was not making any unusual noises. The symptom was the compressor was short cycling on and off at a fast rate. I pulled the orifice tube and found that clog.

It feels like fiber glass mixed with oil. I had to remove one of the hoses that contains the orifice tube that goes from the evaporator to the condenser, I didn’t find any metal flakes or anything that looked like what was on the orifice tube.

I also removed and checked the hoses that bolt directly to the compressor, no unusual things found there either.

my Mechanic buddy said the orifice tube looked like it was clogged by the fiberglass bag that’s inside the drier.

as of right now I replaced the orifice tube and accumulator and the orifice tube hose going from the evaporator to the condenser, refilled it with Freon and PAG oil.

seems to be working ok now. Will have to see if the orifice tube clogs again.
 
The compressor was not making any unusual noises. The symptom was the compressor was short cycling on and off at a fast rate. I pulled the orifice tube and found that clog.

It feels like fiber glass mixed with oil. I had to remove one of the hoses that contains the orifice tube that goes from the evaporator to the condenser, I didn’t find any metal flakes or anything that looked like what was on the orifice tube.

I also removed and checked the hoses that bolt directly to the compressor, no unusual things found there either.

my Mechanic buddy said the orifice tube looked like it was clogged by the fiberglass bag that’s inside the drier.

as of right now I replaced the orifice tube and accumulator and the orifice tube hose going from the evaporator to the condenser, refilled it with Freon and PAG oil.

seems to be working ok now. Will have to see if the orifice tube clogs again.

It's a good bet that more remnants of that receiver drier desiccant capsule that burst is still floating around in the system so expect another clog sometime in the near future. I hate to tell you but you can be prepared and not surprised down the road. Good luck.
 
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