Air Conditioning condensor replacement
Discussion
MADNESS said:
Getting my new car fully sorted for use, I've found the air con condensor is faulty, has anyone any experance in fitting a new one of these?
Taking a look at it, it seems the rads need to be removed to gain access.
Any advice on this guys?
Cheers
Not a simple job, but only because the fittings will be seized, so you will most likely need to fit new aircon hoses, which you probably won't be able to buy off the shelf.Taking a look at it, it seems the rads need to be removed to gain access.
Any advice on this guys?
Cheers
But yes - rad out first, then swap out condenser which is not too expensive, approx £120.
Worth remembering that the main job done by the aircon condenser is to protect the rad from damage from debris.
Thanks for the information, I had my fingers crossed that the rad could stay connected and there was a way I hadn't seen.
With regard to removing the rad, upon refitting is there any process to refilling? Or is it a case of top up with water/coolant and away you go? ( don't want any cooling problems due to an air lock !)
With regard to removing the rad, upon refitting is there any process to refilling? Or is it a case of top up with water/coolant and away you go? ( don't want any cooling problems due to an air lock !)
MADNESS said:
Thanks for the information, I had my fingers crossed that the rad could stay connected and there was a way I hadn't seen.
With regard to removing the rad, upon refitting is there any process to refilling? Or is it a case of top up with water/coolant and away you go? ( don't want any cooling problems due to an air lock !)
Fill the rad with coolant with a funnel through the bleed hole. Keep the water rail bleeds open until they leak fluid. Job done.With regard to removing the rad, upon refitting is there any process to refilling? Or is it a case of top up with water/coolant and away you go? ( don't want any cooling problems due to an air lock !)
Managed to get the rad off and the condenser disconnected today, the rad isn't in very good condition so going to get that redone while it's out the car.
I managed to undo the top pipe line on the condenser, however the lower one was seized, I ended up cutting the alloy pipe to the old condenser, once that was out the way I used an impact gun to shock off the remaining part on the aircon pipe, this sheered it off leaving me with it stuck in the end of the pipe line! Not good news, so now I need to work out how I'm going to get it out so I can fit the new one !
I managed to undo the top pipe line on the condenser, however the lower one was seized, I ended up cutting the alloy pipe to the old condenser, once that was out the way I used an impact gun to shock off the remaining part on the aircon pipe, this sheered it off leaving me with it stuck in the end of the pipe line! Not good news, so now I need to work out how I'm going to get it out so I can fit the new one !
If I remember correctly from doing mine last summer the lower pipe on the condensor is a short run around the oil cooler to the filter/drier which is fixed to the access panel in the n/s wing. I'd get the panel open and get the pipe off the filter/drier. At least then you can wrestle with it out of the car, or bin it and get a replacement made.
Edited by CerbWill on Monday 8th June 12:06
Working on car tonight, have found the drier/receiver in panel as described( thanks for the tip on location).
Got a new drier/receiver to go on, found the flow arrow from the old part is opposite to the new one, it says in on the the new part, is this to go to the lower part of the condenser ?
Got a new drier/receiver to go on, found the flow arrow from the old part is opposite to the new one, it says in on the the new part, is this to go to the lower part of the condenser ?
Evening all,
Apologies for resurrecting this again but I could do with a couple of pointers please.
I have a new drier the same as the one MADNESS has posted a picture of. I've connected it up as per the legend on the sticker but what isn't clear is where to screw in the Trinary Switch. The only option as I see it is to remove one of the hex head bolts, which is what I did only to be greeted by quite a loud hiss. Not sure if that was something escaping or something entering. have I done right, is this normal?
Ta
Ian
Apologies for resurrecting this again but I could do with a couple of pointers please.
I have a new drier the same as the one MADNESS has posted a picture of. I've connected it up as per the legend on the sticker but what isn't clear is where to screw in the Trinary Switch. The only option as I see it is to remove one of the hex head bolts, which is what I did only to be greeted by quite a loud hiss. Not sure if that was something escaping or something entering. have I done right, is this normal?
Ta
Ian
Hi Ian,
Most fridge and a/c components come sealed with a slight positive pressure of nitrogen free oxygen in them so i would imagine the hiss you heard was just that escaping, the 'NOF' as we call it, it's in there to prevent any air getting in, as air contains moisture, moisture is not what you want in an A/c system as it can freeze in the expansion valve and block it.
Try to keep the sealing caps on any parts until they are about to be installed, if the system has been opened up for any length of time just ask your a/c guy who commissions the system for you to 'pressure test' it followed by a good 'vacuum down' prior to charging it back up with gas, this is standard practice but most garages tend to rush it due to time restraints, the longer they can leave it on 'vacuum down' the better.
Hope this helps,
Simon.
Most fridge and a/c components come sealed with a slight positive pressure of nitrogen free oxygen in them so i would imagine the hiss you heard was just that escaping, the 'NOF' as we call it, it's in there to prevent any air getting in, as air contains moisture, moisture is not what you want in an A/c system as it can freeze in the expansion valve and block it.
Try to keep the sealing caps on any parts until they are about to be installed, if the system has been opened up for any length of time just ask your a/c guy who commissions the system for you to 'pressure test' it followed by a good 'vacuum down' prior to charging it back up with gas, this is standard practice but most garages tend to rush it due to time restraints, the longer they can leave it on 'vacuum down' the better.
Hope this helps,
Simon.
Thunderroad said:
Hi Ian,
Most fridge and a/c components come sealed with a slight positive pressure of nitrogen free oxygen in them so i would imagine the hiss you heard was just that escaping, the 'NOF' as we call it, it's in there to prevent any air getting in, as air contains moisture, moisture is not what you want in an A/c system as it can freeze in the expansion valve and block it.
Try to keep the sealing caps on any parts until they are about to be installed, if the system has been opened up for any length of time just ask your a/c guy who commissions the system for you to 'pressure test' it followed by a good 'vacuum down' prior to charging it back up with gas, this is standard practice but most garages tend to rush it due to time restraints, the longer they can leave it on 'vacuum down' the better.
Hope this helps,
Simon.
Brilliant thanks for that Simon, most helpful and has put my mind at rest regarding the hissing and the connections as per your second note.Most fridge and a/c components come sealed with a slight positive pressure of nitrogen free oxygen in them so i would imagine the hiss you heard was just that escaping, the 'NOF' as we call it, it's in there to prevent any air getting in, as air contains moisture, moisture is not what you want in an A/c system as it can freeze in the expansion valve and block it.
Try to keep the sealing caps on any parts until they are about to be installed, if the system has been opened up for any length of time just ask your a/c guy who commissions the system for you to 'pressure test' it followed by a good 'vacuum down' prior to charging it back up with gas, this is standard practice but most garages tend to rush it due to time restraints, the longer they can leave it on 'vacuum down' the better.
Hope this helps,
Simon.
Cheers
Ian
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