Symptoms of a Bad or Failing AC Receiver Dryer

The AC receiver dryer is a component of the AC system that works together in tandem with all of the other components to produce cold air for the vehicle. The receiver dryer serves as a temporary storage container for the refrigerant, as well as a filter that removes debris and moisture from the system. It is a chambered canister that is filled with desiccant - a moisture absorbing material. The receiver dryer’s function is to store refrigerant for the system during periods of low cooling demand and filter out moisture and particles that can be harmful to the system.

When the dryer is not functioning correctly, it can cause problems with the rest of the AC system, including problems that can potentially lead to damage to other components. Usually the receiver dryer will produce a few symptoms to the system that will alert the driver of a potential problem that should be inspected.

1. Signs of refrigerant leakage

One of the first symptoms that a bad or failing receiver dryer will display is leakage. Because the receiver dryer stores refrigerant, it is more prone to leaks than some of the other components of the system. In minor cases, you will see a film or drips of refrigerant along the underside or near the fittings of the receiver dryer. While in more severe cases, there will be pools of refrigerant present under the car. If this problem is allowed to linger, the system can quickly become empty of refrigerant, which will cause your AC to eventually cease function and even incur permanent damage from overheating.

2. Rattling noises

Rattling noises may be another indicator that the receiver dryer may be having a problem. Receiver dryers are chambered, so any rattling during operation can be a potential sign of internal damage or contamination to the chambers. Rattling can also be caused by fittings, if they become loose or damaged. In either case, any sort of rattling noises from the receiver dryer should be addressed as soon as they are heard to prevent any other possible problems.

3. Moldy smell from the AC

Another symptom of a bad or failing receiver dryer is a moldy smell from the vehicle’s AC. The receiver dryer is designed to remove moisture from the system, and if it is unable to do so for any reason, this can lead to mold or mildew. The mold or mildew will usually produce a noticeable smell that will become pronounced when the AC system is in use. This usually happens when the accumulator moisture absorbing desiccant inside the compressor needs to be replaced, or the accumulator has cracked and excessive moisture is allowed in.

Because the receiver dryer serves as a storage canister and filter for the system’s refrigerant, it is very important to the proper operation of the AC system. If you suspect that you may be having a problem with the receiver dryer, or perhaps another component of the AC, have the AC inspected by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic. They will be able to replace your receiver dryer if necessary.


Next Step

Schedule Heating AC Inspection

The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Heating AC Inspection. Once the problem has been diagnosed, you will be provided with an upfront quote for the recommended fix and receive $20.00 off as a credit towards the repair. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. We currently cover over 2,000 cities and have 100k+ 5-star reviews... LEARN MORE

SEE PRICING & SCHEDULING

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Recent Heating AC Inspection reviews

Excellent Rating

(83)

Rating Summary
77
4
0
1
1
77
4
0
1
1

Ben

42 years of experience
1589 reviews
Ben
42 years of experience
Kia Soul L4-1.6L - Heating AC Inspection - Houston, Texas
Ben is the consummate professional - knowledgeable, but additionally friendly and personable. I appreciate his honesty and willingness to help.
Volkswagen Beetle - Heating AC - Houston, Texas
i am well satisfied with Mr Smith working on my car(s). He replaced the Jaguar fuel pump like an expert, and then he diagnosed the VW bug ac compressor and fixed it on the spot. I would recommend him to anyone with a car issue

Diana

19 years of experience
130 reviews
Diana
19 years of experience
Hummer H2 V8-6.0L - Heating AC - Brooklyn, New York
Diana is a pro. She made sure everything was ready beforehand, and arrived early, ready to go. She knew her stuff and took the old headers off my Hummer H2 in half the time any other mechanic quoted me. Highly recommended!
Saab 9-3 - Heating AC - Fords, New Jersey
Very professional, prompt and courteous. Knowledgeable in her trade, thorough and informative in description of diagnosis.

Peter

44 years of experience
1397 reviews
Peter
44 years of experience
Saab 9-3 L4-2.0L Turbo - Heating AC - Phoenix, Arizona
He knows what he's doing. Very polite and explained everything. I would no doubt use him again. I highly recommend him.
Mazda Miata - Heating AC - Peoria, Arizona
We are so thrilled to have found Peter as our new mechanic. He is very thorough and knowledgeable. He is also friendly, professional, and extremely honest. He explained to us exactly what services were needed on our vehicle to repair the air conditioner and provided us with an written estimate of the cost. He literally saved us thousands of dollars in repair costs. A local major competitor quoted us a repair cost of a minimum of $1,400 and said that the cost would go up to $2,400 if they discovered an additional part was required. Peter charged us only $202, plus performed the work at our home. The air conditioner in our 2004 Mazda Miata has honestly never worked so great--it always blew out warm air. We just assumed it was how that particular car was manufactured. We would highly recommend Peter to anyone who is in need of an experienced and honest mechanic.

Johnny

34 years of experience
392 reviews
Johnny
34 years of experience
Honda Accord V6-3.5L - Heating AC - Sacramento, California
Johnny showed up early to the appointment and was very thorough in his inspection. He promptly recommended the service to fix the items that are needing repairs. He was very professional and knowledgeable. I would recommend him for service.

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How Does a Car Air Conditioning System Work?
Auto air conditioners serve well on hot summer days to make driving more pleasant by cooling the air and removing excess moisture in the car.
How to Get an EPA Technician Certification
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) technician certification program educates people who wish to repair automotive air conditioning systems.
How to Replace Car Heater Hoses
Car heater hoses move coolant from the engine to the heater core and can overheat and break down if there is a coolant leak.

Related questions

How does the automatic climate control system work?
If your vehicle includes an automatic climate control system (higher end trims only), you have the ability to “set it and forget it” when it comes to heating and cooling. Using the system is simple, too. Here’s what you need...
Air conditioner won't get cool
Hello. The most common cause of the air conditioning coming out hot is the blend door inside the dash, or low refrigerant levels from a leak in the air conditioning system. A qualified mechanic,like one from YourMechanic will be able...
When a/c was on, steam from under hood and a/c went warm on a hot day and on another day came out cool for a several minutes
The source of the steam should be the first thing repaired. It is highly probable that once the leak is repaired, the A/C system will begin to work again. There are two fluid sources under the hood that can create...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com