A condenser is the first component in a motor vehicles air conditioning (AC) system. The condenser removes the heat and liquefies the gas before it passes into the evaporator core. Dirt, debris or other foreign matter can restrict airflow through the condenser, causing a reduction in performance. Clear any debris from the condensers exterior with a water hose on an annual basis. The condenser may develop a leak due to rust and corrosion or because of a blow from a sharp stone or other object. Flying objects can also cause dents in the condensers pressure lines.
1 Protect your vehicle by using a fender cover of some sort.
2 Use the proper refrigerant recovery equipment to purge the refrigerant from the vehicles air conditioning system.
3 Remove the coolant radiator from the engine compartment. In some vehicles, you must also remove the grill assembly.
4 Disconnect the condensers high-pressure line. It is usually located at the top of the condenser. It will be smaller in diameter than the low-pressure line.
5 Discard the O-rings. You will receive replacement rings with your new condenser.
6 Disconnect the low-pressure line at the bottom of the condenser. It is larger in diameter than the high-pressure line.
7 Discard these O-rings as well.
8 Retain all bolts, nuts or both that are holding the condenser in place. Your new condenser will not have replacements.
9 Remove the faulty condenser from the engine compartment.
10 Place the new condenser in the place of the faulty one. Be careful. Avoid damaging the condenser or its lines.
11 Replace the bolts, nuts or both.
12 Put in the new O-rings at the lines. Make sure they are seated properly.
13 Use a vacuum pump to remove all the excess air from the system. You connect the vacuum pump to both lines, along with your air conditioning gauges. After connecting to your lines, plug into 110 electricity and open the valves. Continue vacuuming until the gauge on the low side reads "0."
14 Re-attach the lines beginning with the bottom line first. Be careful. Avoid kinking the lines as this will cause problems with the condenser.
15 Conduct a leak test of the system if you have a leak detector or can borrow or rent one. This can save you a lot of headaches down the road. If a leak is present, you can discover it before recharging your system. However, if you miss it now, youll lose coolant and have to track down the leak manually later.
16 Recharge the air conditioning system with refrigerant according to manufacturers specifications.
