A?C condenser panel

[Jono.ful]

#1 below

I have had my lower bumper cover (plastic gravel guard between stock bumper skin and my skids) pushed up into the a/c condenser while off roading on a couple occasions. At some point, the bottom inch or so has been bent forward about 60 degrees, and has been separated from it's rubber mounts so that it was hanging by the a/c hard lines. Obviously not an idea situation.
The system still blows cold air when asked, so it doesn't appear that I have a leak. Seems OEM replacement parts run about $700, and in reading the repair manual, one needs to remove the radiator to get the bloody thing out.
Anyone have a similar issue in the past? or experience with a re and re? By the time I get parts and an a/c gas recharge, this is going to be a hugely expensive ordeal.

 

[Jono.ful]

ok, so maybe the bend is a little closer to 90 degrees...

 

[Jeremy556]

IMHO, if it's not leaking, leave it alone and fix your skid plate problem.

 

[Jono.ful]

the problem is that the ARB skids don't have the front filler piece that some of the higher end ones come with, so I'm still using the stock piece. the plan is to upgrade (likely to RCI's) in the spring.

 

[Jeremy556]

the problem is that the ARB skids don't have the front filler piece that some of the higher end ones come with, so I'm still using the stock piece. the plan is to upgrade (likely to RCI's) in the spring.

Sorry to hear about the ARB skids, I wasted lots of time, money, and effort on them, too. How much rock crawling are you really going to do between now and spring that you will hit the condenser again?

I would only go with Bud's or Shrockworks skids. RCIs have no support between the front skid and cross member at the oil door, and have similar interference problems with the crossover exhaust pipe as the ARB.

 

[Jono.ful]

Hmm good to know about the RCI skids, thanks for the heads up. Likely won't be doing much wheeling through the winter. The concern about the condenser panel is that if it is leaking, I run the risk of burning out the a/c pump, as the pump runs with the defrost on.

 

[rigtec]

"...The concern about the condenser panel is that if it is leaking, I run the risk of burning out the a/c pump, as the pump runs with the defrost on."

Hi Jono.ful, "Very good thinking..."

The A/C system is built with a level of safety in mind at the design stage; yours first, and then it's system components. Just judging from your pictures it doesn't look as if the condenser has been fully breached, or any 'structural damage' was done e.g., oil stained condenser fins directly below the punctured copper or torn/pinched tubing. In the event of a refrigerant leak however, there's a "Low pressure switch" (LPS) designed to disable the compressor so even when the defrost mode tries to 'cycle' the compressor, the system clutch will be unable to engage.

P.S: "If at any time you notice an oil stain just below the condenser, have the system checked for a leak. It is very important to prevent air/moisture from entering the refrigeration circuit as it's by-products will attack the oil in the system, prevent it's circulation, cause ice to form within it's metering device causing partial or complete a/c failure...etc"

As long as the system stays charged... "NO WORRIES"! Rgds

 

[Jono.ful]

Awesome, thanks rigtec!