First of all I got a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.5 V6. 60,000 miles on it. The only thing before all this I had to do was a thermostat replacement. This vehicle is in GREAT shape.

Well I've been fighting my AC system for about 2-3 months. It first started out with a bad compressor which was squealing away. Finding a replacement for my 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara was a pain in the A$$. ALL the autoparts stores didn't have the correct one listed.  I had to take my VIN to the dealer to get a parts list with the correct OEM part numbers and start cross-referencing to get the correct part.

I found a rebuild Ebay unit for $280. The dealer wanted $1,000 for a new one.
I installed it along with a new expansion valve and a receiver/drier. Charged it up  and it worked for a day and died. It was my fault for flushing out the system.

I bought some AC system flush and rip apart every hose and piece on the car. Flushed it out with high compressed air and the solvent. And used pipe cleaners and Q-tips to clean everything out. And another expansion valve and receiver/drier and another recharge.

Again worked only for a day.
I bought an universal inline filter kit. Like this one.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Santech-A-C-Inline-Filter-Kit/2003-Suzuki-Grand-Vitara-4WD/_/N-jkvgpZ91u1a?itemIdentifier=946933_0_0_
And installed it. Flushed everything out again and new receiver/drier. As I was re-installing the condenser I nicked the radiator. So I had to buy a new radiator and I decided to buy a new condenser from Performance Radiator since they had a local shop with both in stock NO one had them in stock around town. I thought maybe there was still trash in the condenser that I couldn't flush out. Got it charged up.

Again worked for a day. I'm getting so pissed at this AC, it took me a month to even look under the hood. I bought a new compressor since the shop tells me it might be the problem. The Ebay shop doesn't reply to my emails about warranty exchange, big surprise right.
I bought a new one from Performance Radiator installed it along with another expansion valve and receiver/drier. The filter I installed helped big time, it caught A LOT of shavings/trash. I also bought some universal inline filters that go inside the lines. Suction screens. I installed 1 on the inlet and 1 on the outlet of the compressor to keep this new one safe. These are the 2 I bought. 5 GM A/C SUCTION SCREENS, KENT MOORE J-44551-80 0.500" 12.70mm | eBay
5 GM A/C SUCTION SCREENS, KENT MOORE J-44551-150 0.600" 15.24mm | eBay
Flushed it all again and recharged.

This time we made some small progress, it lasted for 2 days but it worked half capacity and cold then warm. Opened up the filters and they were bad. The first inline filter I bought was so clogged up I had to throw away the screen. Good thing the other screens fit in that body. Flushed it all again and new expansion valve and new receiver/drier.

Got it charged up this morning and we drove it for a good 30 mile round trip with NO problems what so ever. I think we got it licked. No questions more of a rant and maybe to help others, replace EVERYTHING at once with quality parts. Don't reuse anything. The only thing I didn't replace is the hoses and evaporator core but I sure did clean the heck out of them.

Here are a few pictures.

Here is the in-line filter on the high side going into the expansion valve. The line is 5/16in.


I don't have picture of the suction screens installed but here is a general picture.


Also one thing I forgot I ordered these bolt on filters but they were on back order so my order was canceled. They come up under the vehicle parts so it should be a direct fit.
AirSept/A/C Inline Filter Kit (91003) | 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD 6 Cylinders 2.5L MFI DOHC | AutoZone.com

Wow! At least it sounds like you've got it licked!

I did something I almost never do, and took my GV to a local shop to test the A/C because I just didn't have the time a month or so ago. They vacuum tested it, used dye and a black light, and couldn't find any leaks. Mine would only hold a charge for about a day. I can't believe I paid the guy ~250 bucks for him to tell me he couldn't find anything.

A week later, I bought some refrigerant with some dye on my own, dug a black light out of a box in the garage, and charged it up. Let it run for about 10 minutes, turned it off, and turned all the lights off, closed the garage door, and walked around the engine bay with my black light.

Clear as day, bright dye showed up on the driver's side of my condenser on one of the upper fins. I mean, how did the shop miss that? Geesh.

if you paid the shop w/CC, just call CC co. and dispute.

they will refund if found in your favor (likely w/pics)

if you paid the shop w/CC, just call CC co. and dispute.

they will refund if found in your favor (likely w/pics)

I paid by paypal so I filed a dispute with Ebay and then with Paypal.

Wow! At least it sounds like you've got it licked!

I did something I almost never do, and took my GV to a local shop to test the A/C because I just didn't have the time a month or so ago. They vacuum tested it, used dye and a black light, and couldn't find any leaks. Mine would only hold a charge for about a day. I can't believe I paid the guy ~250 bucks for him to tell me he couldn't find anything.

A week later, I bought some refrigerant with some dye on my own, dug a black light out of a box in the garage, and charged it up. Let it run for about 10 minutes, turned it off, and turned all the lights off, closed the garage door, and walked around the engine bay with my black light.

Clear as day, bright dye showed up on the driver's side of my condenser on one of the upper fins. I mean, how did the shop miss that? Geesh.

Shops suck. Lots of places the owner is a good experienced mechanic but lazy to do any work, and most of the work is done by incompetent workers.