Hello,

This is my 1st visit and post.

Our 2009 XL VUE 2.4L (LE5) has lost all of the refrigerant.

The hose/pipe assembly from the compressor to the condenser and evaporator pipe has a leak where it rubbed against the trans cooler line.

From what I can see, the Receiver-Drier is a part of the condenser.

I want to replace the removable desiccant bag because it may be contaminated.

I have searched here and RockAuto, GMPartsDirect, and GMPartsOnLine for a desiccant bag OEM part number or replacement, without luck.

What people are using doing?

Can the original bag be removed, cleaned, dried, and reused?

Thanks for reading.

 

Haven't been stumped on a search in a while....

It does not seem to be available (desiccant) as a separate replacement part.
Which is strange, because I think they are offered for the Outlook and Aura (V6 versions though,

I think the issue is the fact that (from what I came across while searching), the drier and condenser are indeed manufactured as one piece. I'm assuming it is integrated in some forward not thinking way such that the desiccant cannot be removed.

Therefore desiccant cannot be purchased separately or replaced for this year/model/engine combo.

The above is my BEST GUESS.

 

Thank you.

I received a reply from GMPartsDirect.

The desiccant bag is na, only the available as a R/D-Condenser assembly.

Amazon is sending a TYC 3687 @ $93.52 vs. an AC Delco 20759645 for $198.73.



Mike

 

Dang, that's a whopping difference. If you plan to keep this vehicle, I'd probably bite the bullet and go AC Delco, though I don't think I'd go through amazon unless I had to.

Hmm, I just did a search on GM part 20759645 and the prices are all over the map. Talk about greedy (AC Delco included)

RockAuto comes in at 170 ish and the unit was of course used in the Chevy Captiva from 2012 to 2015 per Rock Auto so availability should not be an issue.
Everyone just prices theirs based on the AC Delco price. Sad but true.

Your call but if I haven't heard of the manufacturer, I usually error on the side of expensive caution.

But that's just me.

 

I completed the repair on my wife's VUE.

The condenser was made in China and was well protected in the shipping box. It had the 'rubber' plugs and mechanical locks on the inlet/outlet ports. When they were removed a small rush of gas (nitrogen?) was heard escaping.

The fit needed tweaking, certainly not a drop-in. It took about 10 extra mins. to be sure the fit was correct.

The pipe/hose assembly from the compressor was replaced and a vacuum pulled and held 35 mins.

I went to finish the job this morning (charge and button up). But no vacuum.

It turns out the high side valve core spring was damaged and could not keep the valve core sealed against atmosphere. Good thing I didn't finish it last night.

I made a quick trip to the parts store and picked up 2 of the valve cores, <$5.00.

Pulled a vacuum a 2nd time. Pulled off gauges and the new valve core leaked. ??

I pulled out the valve core and the spring was damaged. I installed the 'extra' new valve core and this time tightened the high side connector 1 less turn, Bingo.

Pulled and held a vacuum.

Recharged, road tested, buttoned up, and wife approved.

Amen.

Thanks for your advise and for reading.

 

glad to hear you got it fixed.

For reference, which brand part did you end up using?