Notices
Audi allroad Discussion forum for the original Audi allroad

Drying the Silica desiccant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-23-2013, 04:11 PM
  #1  
AudiWorld Newcomer
Thread Starter
 
beseven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Drying the Silica desiccant

Hi all,

I live in northern MN and we have cold (-17F tonight) weather. When cold, my 2002 allroad 6-MT will not raise levels, and the K134 light on dash comes on. If I park the car in the heated garage overnight, it works great, but after the car become cold the system will not raise.

The car had leaky rear bags which I replaced with Arnott gen II's recently and the compressor has been running more than it should. I took the compressor apart, and found that the silica in the drying was full of water and condensate and will freeze.

My questions are - can I dry this stuff out in the oven without damaging it? I emptied the silica particles onto a dish (very wet). Also, is there a source for new silica? The compressor works great out of car hooked directly to a battery when warm.

Is there a drain on the pressor accumulator? Should I drain my control block?

Thanks!
Jonathan
'07 A4 3.2 and '02 allroad winter 'beater'
Old 12-23-2013, 09:44 PM
  #2  
AudiWorld Member
 
amiram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Israel
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Default test

Originally Posted by beseven
Hi all,

I live in northern MN and we have cold (-17F tonight) weather. When cold, my 2002 allroad 6-MT will not raise levels, and the K134 light on dash comes on. If I park the car in the heated garage overnight, it works great, but after the car become cold the system will not raise.

The car had leaky rear bags which I replaced with Arnott gen II's recently and the compressor has been running more than it should. I took the compressor apart, and found that the silica in the drying was full of water and condensate and will freeze.

My questions are - can I dry this stuff out in the oven without damaging it? I emptied the silica particles onto a dish (very wet). Also, is there a source for new silica? The compressor works great out of car hooked directly to a battery when warm.

Is there a drain on the pressor accumulator? Should I drain my control block?

Thanks!
Jonathan
'07 A4 3.2 and '02 allroad winter 'beater'
150 ° C for 30 minutes.I added extra air dryer on the line. In the spare tire area instead the filter.Check if you have no more air leaks in the system.The principle is that the amount of air entering through the compressor also need to get through the compressor to remove the moisture that was trapped in the dryer.Recommended to check the compressor if there is no air leakage after assembly

Last edited by amiram; 12-23-2013 at 09:57 PM. Reason: Dismantling the compressor parts
Old 12-24-2013, 03:23 AM
  #3  
AudiWorld Super User
 
uberwgn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 8,968
Received 382 Likes on 344 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by beseven

Also, is there a source for new silica?
Loads of it on eBay. I've purchased mine at a larger foto supply store.
Old 12-24-2013, 07:45 AM
  #4  
AudiWorld Newcomer
Thread Starter
 
beseven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Oven dried

I dried the beads in the oven and reassembled everything. There was some corrosion in the housing from the moisture, so will have to see if this works...

I'll try adding a large silica pouch to the spare tire well - thanks for the great suggestion.

An no, the car doesn't seem to have any leaks anymore - will stay at the same height in 'jack mode' overnight in the heated garage. I assume this is the best way to look for larger leaks?

Thanks!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fluidparkour75
TT (Mk1) Discussion
4
08-18-2018 02:57 PM
DarinS4Turbo
Wheels & Tires Discussion
7
10-05-2015 05:56 PM
navy_anav
A4 Cabriolet (B6 Platform) Discussion
0
09-30-2015 01:38 PM
Bad Andy
Q5/SQ5 MKI (8R) Discussion
8
09-27-2015 03:52 PM
JBDinTX
Q5/SQ5 MKI (8R) Discussion
11
09-25-2015 09:46 AM



Quick Reply: Drying the Silica desiccant



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:49 PM.