Which Condenser ?

Author
Discussion

GeoffAC

Original Poster:

620 posts

248 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
About to start pulling the front of a Volvo V50 off to fit a new condenser for the AC (the old one has a hole in it!)

However I have heard that of the various aftermarket condensers available quality can be 'variable' between different manufacturers.

Prices also vary from £41 to £128

Does anyone have experience of who makes the better quality components
Manufacturers are from AKS Dasis, Van Wezel, NRF, Diederchs, Kager, Delphi, Frigair & Thermotec

And I have not considered Volvo OEM as theirs cost more than any of the above and it rotted away in 5 years

Thanks for any help G :-)

GeoffAC

Original Poster:

620 posts

248 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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Was that tumble weed i spotted ?

Old Merc

3,486 posts

166 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
quotequote all
Sorry I`ve been busy replacing the condenser on my Mercedes.
I got a genuine Heller/Behr one from GSF car parts at about half the price Mercedes were asking for the same part.
I have a feeling Behr make condensers and radiators for Volvo.

Old Merc

3,486 posts

166 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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GeoffAC said:
Was that tumble weed i spotted ?
YES.

ucb

943 posts

211 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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I'm about to do the same to my v50 D5. Are you replacing the receiver/drier too? What did you get in the end?

GeoffAC

Original Poster:

620 posts

248 months

Thursday 3rd September 2015
quotequote all
ucb said:
I'm about to do the same to my v50 D5. Are you replacing the receiver/drier too? What did you get in the end?
I haven't yet - mrs wanted the hall and landing redecorating which took priority (considering the bank holiday weather I think it was a wise choice!



On the principle of if its not broken don't fix it, no I was not going to replace the receiver/drier as the leak is only from the condenser (the marker dye is only coming from the condenser)
I checked the rest of the system with a uv light and it looks sound... !

Let me know how you get on will be interesting to hear your progress

:-)

GeoffAC

Original Poster:

620 posts

248 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
OK so finally got round to doing this job.

In the end it was a both the fan and condenser that needed replacing

Eventually I decided on a 'Van Wezel' branded item at £37.00 from AutoDoc In Germany (can fully recommend them)
Not the most expensive but not the cheapest version either - My logic being that its taken 8 years to bust and I now know how to replace it!

Job itself is relatively straight forward but quite a few things need to come off to get to the bits. (Working steadily by myself it took me about 5 hrs)

So fan and condenser cost £170 + £40 refill + 5hrs work against the £675 quoted by my local independent Volvo specialist. (hate to think what a dealership would have charged)

Anyway all back together and working fine.

Top tips use a trolly jack as an adjustable rest for the radiator/fan/condenser/cooler sandwich while you unbolt and remove it!