Ac condenser replacement

Trkdrvremt · May 25, 2015

Hey guys, a few questions for ya.
I need to replace my condenser and want to do right the first time.
I have a hole in the condenser which I found when trying to re charge.

1. Do I need to have the system evacuated first?

2. Do I need to replace the accumulator and orifice tube being the system will be open? (I'm thinking yes)

3. Do I need to add oil to anything upon reassembly or will that be done when it's recharged?

4. Anything else you want to add that I may be over looking?

TIA

Tiggerr · May 25, 2015

I would definitely have it vacumned down and recharged professionally after that. Oriface tube probably too. Accumulator prob not. Unless your just gonna do it all....Compressor/lines etc.

Oil goes in with the charge

Trkdrvremt · May 25, 2015

Tiggerr said:
I would definitely have it vacumned down and recharged professionally after that. Oriface tube probably too. Accumulator prob not. Unless your just gonna do it all....Compressor/lines etc.

Oil goes in with the charge

Definitely plan on have it done professionally when I'm done... Just wasn't sure if I needed a vacuum beforehand..

Mounce · May 25, 2015

Nah, the people that charge it should vacuum it down to get moisture and air out then put the charge in letting the vacuum pull it in keeping contaminants out that could get in if they release the vacuum.

I think that's how it goes anyways, been awhile since I read up on it.

c good · May 25, 2015

Be sure to use P.A.G. oil on all of the O-rings during reassembly.

Yes, system must be evacuated with vacuum, leak down test done during this phase.

I would recommend replacing at least the orifice tube if you're in a low humidity area and you don't let system sit open for long. If you let system sit open for more than a day in a high humidity area, then I would also replace the accumulator.

Be sure to let the A.C. shop/tech know that you replaced the condenser only (or condenser/accumulator). It will require a pre determined amount of P.A.G. oil to be added to the system during recharge based on what components were replaced.

HTH....c good

Trkdrvremt · May 25, 2015

c good said:
Be sure to use P.A.G. oil on all of the O-rings during reassembly.

Yes, system must be evacuated with vacuum, leak down test done during this phase.

I would recommend replacing at least the orifice tube if you're in a low humidity area and you don't let system sit open for long. If you let system sit open for more than a day in a high humidity area, then I would also replace the accumulator.

Be sure to let the A.C. shop/tech know that you replaced the condenser only (or condenser/accumulator). It will require a pre determined amount of P.A.G. oil to be added to the system during recharge based on what components were replaced.

HTH....c good

Well I don't plan on the system being open more than a few hours tops, but you never know...
And just so I know I'm following this correctly, you're saying/agreeing the evac and vacuuming should/will be done upon recharge? No need to do it before I dig in to this... Correct?

Tiggerr · May 25, 2015

If you have a hole in your condenser there's nothing left to evacuate before you start

Trkdrvremt · May 25, 2015

Ok thats what I thought... Thanks!

Mooseman · May 26, 2015

If the hole has been there for a while, I would replace the accumulator. You will have to add back the oil that was removed with the condenser and accumulator or 2oz. each, whichever is greater.

Trkdrvremt · May 26, 2015

Mooseman said:
If the hole has been there for a while, I would replace the accumulator. You will have to add back the oil that was removed with the condenser and accumulator or 2oz. each, whichever is greater.

Not sure on the time... Bought the tb in October and just got around to playing with the ac... I bought an accumulator and orifice tube though. And a 8oz bottle of oil.

c good · May 26, 2015

I was figuring the system was completely empty. Check if there is any charge still left by putting some gauges on it or just by pressing on one of the Schrader valves on the low or high side lines. If there is still some charge left in it, then yes you should have it recovered professionally. Then you can start with your repairs. After all of the repairs are made then take it back to the AC shop and they will evac with a vacuum pump then add oil and refrigerant (134A) accordingly.

Trkdrvremt · May 26, 2015

c good said:
I was figuring the system was completely empty. Check if there is any charge still left by putting some gauges on it or just by pressing on one of the Schrader valves on the low or high side lines. If there is still some charge left in it, then yes you should have it recovered professionally. Then you can start with your repairs. After all of the repairs are made then take it back to the AC shop and they will evac with a vacuum pump then add oil and refrigerant (134A) accordingly.

Zero charge left... The one can I attempted to recharge with blew out the hole and the gauge dropped to 0....

Sucky part is I have a guy at work willing to weld it until I told him its on the coil between the fins... Could've saved myself some $$$....

Paul Bell · May 26, 2015

You didn't mention what condenser you're getting but in my experience, only ACDelco units have the correct number of tubes. Aftermarket units usually have less.

Although it's a different number, the one for my V8 truck has 51 tubes. Less tubes = less efficient cooling.

Trkdrvremt · May 26, 2015

Paul Bell said:
You didn't mention what condenser you're getting but in my experience, only ACDelco units have the correct number of tubes. Aftermarket units usually have less.

Although it a different number, the one for my V8 truck has 51 tubes. Less tubes = less efficient cooling.

It's aftermarket... 43 tubes.
Not sure what the old one has until I take it out. But it has to be better than no air... [emoji38]

Trkdrvremt · May 30, 2015

Wher does the orifice tube go exactly? Not sure if I'm missing one altogether or if I should take apart the tube in the picture.

Mooseman · May 30, 2015

Detailed instructions.

View attachment Orifice tube.pdf

c good · May 30, 2015

from the Clymer manual. "The expansion (orifice) tube......you will see one end of it inside the pipe leading into the evaporator" .....Mooseman just posted something even better while I'm typing this. Check out above post.

Trkdrvremt · May 30, 2015

Just want to send out a big Thank You!!! to everyone on here who helped me out with this... Just need to get it vacuumed and recharged....

littleblazer · May 30, 2015

If you have gauges, they have a vaccum pump at harbor freight that will work. My neighbor borrowed my other neighbors vaccum pump, he does hvac, and then charged from the rattle cans they have at walmart. 35 degrees out the vent.

Trkdrvremt · May 30, 2015

littleblazer said:
If you have gauges, they have a vaccum pump at harbor freight that will work. My neighbor borrowed my other neighbors vaccum pump, he does hvac, and then charged from the rattle cans they have at walmart. 35 degrees out the vent.

Not sure I'm up to that level yet... Lol

littleblazer · May 30, 2015

Neither was he. [emoji13] you just run the pump to 11 on vaccum for a while, let it sit then charge. Granted this was a nissan too.

Trkdrvremt · May 30, 2015

What pump would I even consider?

littleblazer · May 30, 2015

Something like this

http://m.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-61245.html

If you're not comfortable doing it, most shops won't charge much to put a vaccum on it and recharge it. It's six in one hand half a dozen in the other if you only do it once. If you ever have to do it again, you'll save. The shop will also take care of the oil though so there's that

Trkdrvremt · May 30, 2015

Yeah I think I'll have it done... But going to look into getting one with some more research on it...

Mooseman · May 30, 2015

The process of vacuuming an A/C is more than just sucking the air out of it. You draw it down and then check that it holds the vacuum to ensure there are no leaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdCa3feGvg

Only thing I would do differently is that I would not disconnect the hoses before refilling. Add the can to the hose and start filling. Less chance of air getting in.

Paul Bell · May 30, 2015

BTW folks, here's a condenser with 230,000 miles on it. It held pressure! I'll say it's about 20% blocked.

Mounce · May 31, 2015

Wow that thing is gross. Never really looked at mine..wonder what it looks like.

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

Mooseman said:
The process of vacuuming an A/C is more than just sucking the air out of it. You draw it down and then check that it holds the vacuum to ensure there are no leaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdCa3feGvg

Only thing I would do differently is that I would not disconnect the hoses before refilling. Add the can to the hose and start filling. Less chance of air getting in.

I also found that the time held is different.. Some say a few minutes, some an hour and others overnight...

BlazingTrails · May 31, 2015

I have always let it pump for about 45 min to 1 hour myself. you can see it burning off moisture out of the pump vent. pretty cool stuff. then I let it sit for about 30 minutes off to check for leaks and then charge it up. it is really a simple process just can't miss any steps. if you can change out all of the parts you did, vacuum and charge should be easy for you.

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

Well... You guys talked me into it.... Rented the gauges and pump from az..... Let's see what happens.....

littleblazer · May 31, 2015

Cool. Let us know how it goes.

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433085922.269837.jpg

Ok pump is on and running...

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

Mooseman said:
The process of vacuuming an A/C is more than just sucking the air out of it. You draw it down and then check that it holds the vacuum to ensure there are no leaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdCa3feGvg

Only thing I would do differently is that I would not disconnect the hoses before refilling. Add the can to the hose and start filling. Less chance of air getting in.

So would I close the high side and add through the vacuum ( yellow) hose?

littleblazer · May 31, 2015

I believe. Eric the car guy also has a video.

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

Ok from what I researched.. Open both hi and low fill until pressure equalizes... Then shut both sides dowm and fun the ac...Then keep the hi side shut open the low and continue to fill from low....

Mooseman · May 31, 2015

Trkdrvremt said:
So would I close the high side and add through the vacuum ( yellow) hose?

You would close both, turn off the pump, hook up the can to the yellow hose, ** , open the low side blue and start filling.

** (at this point, I would open the can to pressurize the hose and slowly unscrew the other end of the yellow hose a little to purge the air out. Not mandatory but that's just my anal nature. The less air, the better. )

Here's ETCG's video. Very good. Only thing that's incorrect, you put the fan on high. It is best to go by weight as he says. And also to purge the yellow line like I said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lglPJuBXVeE

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433096563.613153.jpg

Ok 1 hour with the pump off... Looks like it's holding....

littleblazer · May 31, 2015

Out drives on boats only need to hold 15 psi for fifteen minutes to be safe. Looking good.

Trkdrvremt · May 31, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433105745.413616.jpg

Not sure where to go from here... 60 is the best I'm getting... Would like to be at 40

littleblazer · May 31, 2015

Check the fan clutch,make sure recirculation is on. Report the pressures.

Ac condenser replacement

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