AC Condenser Replacement

[92saturnsl2]

I took my 07 Pacifica in to a local indy mechanic to get my AC fixed. They diagnosed a bad leak in the condenser, so they're changing that out before they can test the rest of the system.

I was checking Repairpal website to see if my quote (about $480) was in line with the average, and they mentioned that the repair involves replacing the engine coolant.

That would be a drag as I just did a coolant flush and fill with Pentofrost E fluid, and they're sure to use a generic universal which I'll then have to change out.

Replacing coolant is news to me, I thought the condenser was in front of the radiator and changed out from the front. The Repairpal page for condenser replacement was generic and not specific to my vehicle, thus I'm questioning the requirement for draining the coolant.

Anyone ever heard of this, having to drain and replace coolant for replacing the condenser?

 

[E150GT]

Im sure its normal on some cars to have to remove the radiator. Why do they have to replace the coolant? Why cant they collect what comes out and put it back? If it was me I would ask they put it back and bring your own extra left over if you have any so they can put what you want in there and not some generic green.

 

[Chris142]

if they are like us they will drain it into a clean bucket then pour it back in. Yes on many new cars the radiator and condenser can't be separated in the car. Gotta pull them as a unit and separate them on the bench. If you have high miles you should consider replacing radiator now while it's out.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by Chris142
if they are like us they will drain it into a clean bucket then pour it back in.


Bingo.

But you MAY have to specify that, so use your best discretion!

 

[WyrTwister]

No idea what they will charge you for coolant . Last I purchased at walmart was 100% DEXCOOL for around $ 15 , If I Recall .

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Chris142
if they are like us they will drain it into a clean bucket then pour it back in.


Sometimes as it drains out it picks up the grease and dirt from under the car. Trying to filter that out might be more trouble than it's worth when refilling.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by Chris142
if they are like us they will drain it into a clean bucket then pour it back in.


Sometimes as it drains out it picks up the grease and dirt from under the car. Trying to filter that out might be more trouble than it's worth when refilling.

Tha'ts why you use a piece of cardboard to direct it where it needs to go,

 

[92saturnsl2]

Got the condenser replaced for $480 ($180 parts, $300 labor + tax), had a large crack in the side of it. The condenser had been replaced about 3 years ago according to service records.

The mechanic said he did not have to drain the coolant as the condenser is accessed after removing the front fascia-- bumper cover, grill and such. The auto trans cooler is part of the condenser, so I may have lost some transmission fluid there, but thankfully they didn't touch the coolant!

Eventually I'd like to get the tools to do A/C work myself-- pains me to spend hundreds on a car repair, this is the first time I've had to bring a vehicle to the mechanic in 10+ years.

 

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by 92saturnsl2
Got the condenser replaced for $480 ($180 parts, $300 labor + tax), had a large crack in the side of it. The condenser had been replaced about 3 years ago according to service records.

The mechanic said he did not have to drain the coolant as the condenser is accessed after removing the front fascia-- bumper cover, grill and such. The auto trans cooler is part of the condenser, so I may have lost some transmission fluid there, but thankfully they didn't touch the coolant!

Eventually I'd like to get the tools to do A/C work myself-- pains me to spend hundreds on a car repair, this is the first time I've had to bring a vehicle to the mechanic in 10+ years.


In this case, a good DIY strategy is to replace the necessary parts and take it to a shop for vacuum and charge. The condenser had already leaked the refrigerant, it sounds, so nothing to recover.

You could also rent a vacuum pump and charge it yourself. I replaced the entire A/C system on my TSX last Spring. I vacuumed it down with a borrowed pump and charged it using my gauges and a scale with R134a from Walmart.