I have a 04 MCS. AC stopped working the other day. I ended up pulling the belt off, and the center of the AC compressor is sized. I am unable to turn the center of the compressor clutch, even using pliers to gain leverage. Okay, so my AC Compressor is seized. Got to replace it. But what else do I need to do? I've read that when a compressor seizes, it normally throws off metal, contaminating the rest of the system.

Replacing the condenser is ~150, evaporator is ~150. I have to pull all these parts off already to flush them, so it's a question of if I flush or replace, and what's worth flushing vs replacing. Is it even worth flushing if I think the car is only going to hold together another couple years? Maybe replace the condenser, flush the line between the compressor and condenser, and cross my fingers?

I know how to do the actual work, but which work is cost-effective to do? I know I need to replace the compressor and drier of course. Can I effectively flush the condenser and evaporator? The lines?

My MCS is only worth ~4k, it's not in great shape. 160k miles. I'm trying to keep it running till it falls apart. The body has some peeling paint. I've got the noisy timing chain issues, and I figure when that goes, I'll basically just write the whole car off for parts. There's an exhaust leak as well. And issues with the electric locks. And.. and... and... I'm trying to figure out the right-job for the value of the car. If it was brand new, I'd do all of it, but with the age of my MCS, I'm not sure what to do.

I'm also in the south, so I use my AC heavily. I've got a backup vehicle, so if my AC goes out again, I'll use my backup.

 

My brother called me up a couple months ago to look for another winter beater as the New York salt had rotted what he had to the point that the rear end fell off the car. Found a salt free Dodge here in North Carolina. 98,000 miles and got it for $750. AC was shot so we found a used compressor on E-bay, shopped for a cheap condenser and expansion valve. Bought all the parts/freon for $150.

There are condensers out there for the Mini at about $65 that appear to include the dryer. There are used compressors out there at not much more money. All these parts top quality, that I do not know, but with how you describe your car and the fact that you can do the work yourself, I would have no second thoughts on buying and installing. Plus on e-bay you can buy their insurance and have a warranty.

On flushing a condenser, below is a video. I use this guy's other video for reference when somebody has questions on how car ac systems work.

 

Thanks for the detailed response.

You got me digging through prices a bit more. I found some better deals on the evaporator and condenser. I guess I'm replacing everything.

 

I am thinking that the evap is somewhat protected by the expansion valve. As far as finding the parts, just do a search for you year mini condenser, expansion valve and compressor on ebay and Amazon. This is what I did while writing the first response above.