Need A/C repair advice

[blkfordsedan]

I have a large hole in the A/C condenser on my '97 F250. It has been out of Freon (R134) and open to the air for about 3 years. The compressor was unplugged within days after the condenser was punctured, just to keep it from turning on with the defroster and running without any lube. Before it happened, the A/C would freeze you out of the cab.

I don't know much at all about A/C systems, but I'm thinking about buying a good used condenser ($50 @ local junk yard). I've also heard that you should always install a new accumulator/dryer on R134A systems. They run about $40 on ebay.
If I install a good used condenser, new dryer and new o-rings, shouldn't I be able to take it somewhere to have it sucked down, tested & recharged?

Would the compressor go bad, even though it's been unplugged? Would the other o-rings in the system dry out? Is there anything else I should look at or do?

[FestYboy]

would flush the condensor w/ alcahol, dry and install w/ new o-rings, then hit the system with a pressurized oil shot and then off to the shop for a pull down and charge. can't see any reason to replace the dryer as pulling the system down (for at least an hour) should rid the system of moisture rendering the dryer functional again.

see if the shop will leave in on the vaccum overnight before refilling....

[Pu241]

Arty, depending on the desiccant in the drier, it can degrade/crumble to dust with age and exposure, or if it is saturated with moisture and is subjected to vacuum it could blow the desiccant apart as the vapor is working it's way out. I just don't know enough about the type of desiccant in these driers to know how these things should be handled.

[FestYboy]

well in that case, replace it and call it cheap insurance!

[blkfordsedan]

Thanks guys. I did talk to a good friend that does a lot of A/C repair. He said you could get away with re-using the dryer on an old R12 system, but on R134 systems you need to just replace the dryer.