A/C condenser

[spasm3]

On the 01 saturn with the rebuilt engine, the a/c is not that cold. I did use a commercial vacuum pump and the correct amount of refrigerant. Its my son's car, he once ran off the road across a ditch( necessitating the front subframe to be replaced) and i replaced the bumper. The condenser is bent a bit from the bottom, upwards about an inch.
It does not leak.

I probably should have replaced the receiver/dryer, but i did pull a good vacuum for close to an hour. The pressures look good high and low side, just not cold air. The bend doors seem to work fine, as does the electric radiator fan.

I'm thinking about just replacing the condenser and receiver drier. The compressor was replaced about 2 years ago due to the a/c clutch not working, not the compressor itself.

Any other suggestions?

 

[mehullica]

Condenser cooling fan is working?

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: mehullica
Condenser cooling fan is working?


yes it is.

 

[Revving2Redline]

I bought a AC cleaner that goes in where it drips out. Its colder now than ever and has a pleasant smell. Lubegard has a kit to clean HVAC in cars, and its great.

 

[DoubleWasp]

What are your high and low pressure readings at what ambient temp, and humidity? No point in speculating anything without that info.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: Marco620
I bought a AC cleaner that goes in where it drips out. Its colder now than ever and has a pleasant smell. Lubegard has a kit to clean HVAC in cars, and its great.


Clean the drain line and also clean the fins of the condenser with some degreaser and a garden hose.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
What are your high and low pressure readings at what ambient temp, and humidity? No point in speculating anything without that info.
this

 

[HerrStig]

Are the fins bent? If so a fin comb can help restore them to the proper alignment.

 

[spasm3]

the fins are a little bent. but the whole condenser is bent on the bottom, pushed upward about an inch . If I remember the low side was about 40 and the high side 195 on a 90 degree day. I may check them again.

 

[artificialist]

Those refrigerant pressure numbers look normal to me. I suspect the sudden shock loosened up a connector or sensor somewhere. Maybe the blend doors don't open or close correctly.

 

[spasm3]

I just wondered if the flow through the condenser was altered by being bent enough to affect cooling.

 

[Brad_C]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
I just wondered if the flow through the condenser was altered by being bent enough to affect cooling.


Nah, if th condenser was compromised your high side would be much higher. Just disconnect the condenser fan and watch the results for an example/test.

 

[DoubleWasp]

40/190 @ 90°?

Condenser is fine. Excellent, even.

Are the drier and evaporator lines all sweaty? Do both evaporator lines feel similar temperature?

 

[spasm3]

Here are some pics, temp at time of reading is 85f.

 

[spasm3]

I am actually suprised the thing is not leaking, but i think i will replace it with a new receiver/dryer.