Replacing AC Condenser - suggestions?

[jpless]

While trying to install my aux transmission cooler, I put a nice little hole in the AC condenser and got sprayed in the face for a few minutes (actually, I moved but still!)

SO, I've already started looking for replacement parts and I see that prices vary significantly! Any thoughts on the "best" one to get? Also looking for anyone who may have done an install for feedback on difficulty or a write-up.

One on eBay, not sure if original or aftermarket

Partsgeek has them ranging from $80 to $184
Condensers on PartsGeek

On my budget, I would like to either get the one off eBay or the $80 one from partsgeek so I'm looking for feedback on those.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! It's warming up and I can't believe I did this NOW of all times!

 

[drmorbius]

While trying to install my aux transmission cooler, I put a nice little hole in the AC condenser and got sprayed in the face for a few minutes (actually, I moved but still!)

SO, I've already started looking for replacement parts and I see that prices vary significantly! Any thoughts on the "best" one to get? Also looking for anyone who may have done an install for feedback on difficulty or a write-up.

One on eBay, not sure if original or aftermarket

Partsgeek has them ranging from $80 to $184
Condensers on PartsGeek

On my budget, I would like to either get the one off eBay or the $80 one from partsgeek so I'm looking for feedback on those.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! It's warming up and I can't believe I did this NOW of all times!

Just so you know, there is refrigerant oil in the system and if you engage the magnetic clutch relay you will pump this out the hole too which will ruin the compressor so don't turn on the A/C until you get it fixed.:thumb3:

 

[jpless]

thanks for the tip! I was wondering what might happen if I turned it on. I didn't think it could be good but you provided a great explanation as to why!

is there a fuse or something I can remove or disconnect easily? I'm more worried about my gf borrowing it and forgetting than I am about myself.

I found the AC (American Condenser) brand at both www.supremecondensers.com and www.autocondenserstore.com for $123 shipped, whereas it was $190 shipped on partsgeek and other places.

I'm probably going to go with this, I think it's original part, I'll go out and check before I place the order to see what's in there.

Either way, I want to try and match factory so if it is a bad part I can try and get my Toyota warranty to cover it

 

[jpless]

the_josh chimed in on this in the thread about the aux tranny install (link). He said that a hole like mine could be fixed at a radiator/muffler shop for cheap (~$50) and there is no need to replace. I've asked him to chime in here since I've read that holes in the fins are not fixable.

I have, however, come across more that says it might be fixable. My question then would be whether it was worth it to fix or better to replace? If I have to take it out anyway to get it fixed and a new part is $123, is the ~$73 worth the new one?

If I install a new one, what else would I have to do besides fill it with new coolant?

If I get the current one fixed, wouldn't the risk of improper fix and possible cost of second attempt or quicker failure be worth the extra $73?

here's a pic of the hole for reference:

 

[drmorbius]

the_josh chimed in on this in the thread about the aux tranny install (link). He said that a hole like mine could be fixed at a radiator/muffler shop for cheap (~$50) and there is no need to replace. I've asked him to chime in here since I've read that holes in the fins are not fixable.

I have, however, come across more that says it might be fixable. My question then would be whether it was worth it to fix or better to replace? If I have to take it out anyway to get it fixed and a new part is $123, is the ~$73 worth the new one?

If I install a new one, what else would I have to do besides fill it with new coolant?

If I get the current one fixed, wouldn't the risk of improper fix and possible cost of second attempt or quicker failure be worth the extra $73?

here's a pic of the hole for reference:

Once air has gotten into the system you will need to have the system vacuumed out and the correct amount of refrigerant put in. Suggest you buy the part and take the install to an A/C shop to do the rest.

 

[jpless]

talked to a shop today.

They said you used to be able to repair them when they were copper but now that they're aluminum they don't.

So, I'm going to buy a new one and replace it myself (it's only 9 bolts and a couple connectors) and then I'll bring it there (or another place) to have it vacuumed and filled.

He quoted me about $200 for that part, any thoughts? What about having him vacuum it and then just filling it myself? My 98 started leaking so I'm familiar with recharging and have a meter and couple cans of coolant left over. Anything to save some money these days.

I also got some putty sealant stuff (PC Fahrenheit) that I used to patch the hole temporarily in order to keep air and debris out. Thankfully my rear bushings from bbumbles were at my door when I got back so I'm not so upset over the condenser right now! time to give those a test drive, install was a snap!

 

[WhiteChevelle]

........

 

[the_josh]

try another shop!

of course he wants to sell you a new part and instead of fixing your old one!

but in the end, its your money- i wouldnt take one shops opinion unless you can really trust them


for example:

i was riding my Triumph Speed Triple last summer and i caught a huge rock right in the aluminum radiator and it started spraying coolant everywhere! i didnt know what to do, so i took it to the triumph dealer and several of the techs said it was done, noting can be done to fix it, the radiator is a gonner! so they wanted to charge me $550 for a new one and $200 to install it!!!!

so unwilling to take that for a answer i pulled the radiator myself (took 5 mins) and started making some calls, i found a muffler shop near my house that has been in business for 30+ years, they said no problem! so i dropped off my radiator and picked it up the next day all fixed and it only cost me $50!

a year later- no issues what so ever and i have a lot more cash in my pocket because of it!

so all and all a A/C condesor and a radiator are pretty close to the same thing, they are made from similiar materials, the both hold high pressure liquids and are subjected to the same exact elements.

so you already know what my suggestion is, let me know what you end up doing
:snacker::snacker::snacker:

 

[fourwd1]

You can't braze aluminum the way you could fix copper radiators, but there are some DIY ways if you search.
To keep the compressor from engaging, just disconnect the wire to it.

 

[the_josh]

You can't braze aluminum the way you could fix copper radiators, but there are some DIY ways if you search.
To keep the compressor from engaging, just disconnect the wire to it.

where did all this talk about copper come from?


who the hell has copper radiators?!?!?!

 

[jpless]

the mechanic brought up copper because he said that the condensers used to be made out of copper and when they were, they were fixable.

You may be right, they may be able to fix it but I figure I'd rather spend the extra $70 to get a brand new part and not risk multiple trips to the shop for the repair.

So, they said that if I bought the part and installed it, they would vacuum and fill it for around 200. I'm thinking of looking for a place that will just vacuum it and then I'll recharge it myself.

The question would be whether saving 100 is worth buying the fluids and spending the time to do it (I know recharging my 98 took at least 20 minutes and it was never near empty). Standing there holding the trigger on the canister for an hour could be awful.