Can not installing a liquid line dryer on an outdoor unit cause a compressor to go bad?

Thanks, BMCMyers

It depends... was the unit installed new without one? A lot of units new come with one or a strainer inside already. Or was there a repair done later on and one not installed?

You seem to have a failed compressor and are searching for the problem/item to blame for some reason. If you have a complete story it would be interesting to hear since many things can cause a compressor failure. In a properly installed system compressor failure is very rare.

it depends... was the unit installed new without one? alot of units new come with one or a strainer inside already. or was there a repair done later on and one not installed?


The unit was relocated and the filter dryer omitted (six weeks ago). The system had an ongoing issue with a txv valve. Which has been replaced.

If this was a new unit then it is possible a small filter drier was installed internally at the factory. If a drier is added to the system the original drier should be removed if it had one to start with.

TXV's cause very few problems but that also depends upon if the system was installed properly. No dirt in system. Nitrogen flow during brazing to prevent flake on the internal parts of the copper being brazed and all the other good things that make up a good install. If you can get the old TXV apart look top see if it had a fine screen strainer. If so what is trapped there could give you an idea of what if anything was in the system. In 45+ years in the biz I never lost a compressor because of a defective TXV. Comperssors are almost indestructable if installed correctly but according to statistics many are sent back for warranty but upon inspection the compressor is almost never at fault but a system problem like liquid slug,oil migration, and low voltage etc. is usually the cause.

My AC went out. Home warranty sent a person to look at it. He said the compressor was bad because there was no line dryer installed. I have had people in to maintenance the unit, a couple years ago had another home warranty tech come in for a repair. Why would no one notice that? I don't know how old the unit is, definitely more than 5 years. I don't know that I believe this new tech, didn't give me a warm & fuzzy feeling that he'd been out of AC school long.

I just had a full replacement done including new line set. The tech forgot to install the field installed mfg provided drier\filter. The tech told me not to worry since it is new and he should be out to install it in week.

I hope my system is not losing life as it waits for its filter?