A/C Condenser R&R?

[Zap]

Has anyone swapped out just the A/C condenser before? Any comments on how much of a PITA this is to do, or what all is involved?

I've recently had most of the lines rebuilt on the '97, and replaced the rest that were available. Sadly, even though the last time the system was working I only saw dye on some of the line crimps, I still can't pull a vacuum that will last. I'm scratching my head, but the only things left at this point are the condenser and evaporator. Last time I checked, the evaporators don't generally go bad on our cars (and are a PITA to replace, too) so my best guess is that there is something up with the condenser.

Thanks!

 

[Zap]

Ok, leak testing shows that one of the connections on the condenser is indeed leaking. Any comments on doing this job in the driveway, or should I take the car down to the shop and use the lift? I know that it comes out the bottom instead of the top like the older SHO's.

 

[SHOtimer]

I've changed the radiator on my '98 SLO, it's a different motor but the condenser/radiator is the same.

IMHO it is way easier to spend the 10 minutes to pull off the front bumper to get this done. I don't know if it is possible with the front bumper in place now that I think about it.

The condenser is screwed into the radiator. You just pull the front bumper, and then unscrew the condenser from the radiator and lower it down and disconnect.

Doug

 

[Zap]

Everything finally held vacuum! I've finally found the last leaky part, and with hoses rebuilt to better than OEM specs and a parallel flow condenser, the A/C performance is quite good and should be good for the long haul.

I had the car up on stands just a few notches, and the condenser dropped out easily enough once everything was loosened. The new one slid in and only required a slight mod to get one of the bolts in at the top. Everything went back together without any issues. One word to the wise - this particular condenser didn't have the stubs for the nuts to bolt the peanut fittings together. They had to be pulled off the old condenser, which was fine but it would have been easier if I did that when both were out of the car.

Only problem I have left is the new valve on the low side fitting has an issue, so I'll have to check into that sooner than later.

 

[SHOtimer]

You put in a different type of condenser? Parallel flow? Explain please.

Doug

 

[Zap]

http://www.4s.com/Upload/Four Seasons/documents/Tech Tips/English/4S 362 CONDENSER COMPARISON.PDF

Basically, a parallel flow is more efficient and they are being used on more and more OEM systems (probably most today). The only caveat is that they are harder if not impossible to flush if they become blocked by debris from a compressor failure.

They will, however, allow for better cooling. There is at least one condenser made to fit the Gen3 Taurus that is the stock shape/size with stock mount points and stock connections, yet it is the newer parallel flow style.

http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Part...r=1997|1997&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive

That is the condenser I used, and it is working great. I just need to fix a leaky service port and I should be all set!

 

[TimboSHO]

http://www.4s.com/Upload/Four Seasons/documents/Tech Tips/English/4S 362 CONDENSER COMPARISON.PDF

Basically, a parallel flow is more efficient and they are being used on more and more OEM systems (probably most today). The only caveat is that they are harder if not impossible to flush if they become blocked by debris from a compressor failure.

They will, however, allow for better cooling. There is at least one condenser made to fit the Gen3 Taurus that is the stock shape/size with stock mount points and stock connections, yet it is the newer parallel flow style.

http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Part...r=1997|1997&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive

That is the condenser I used, and it is working great. I just need to fix a leaky service port and I should be all set!

That is very interesting. Thanks for the information!

 

[SHOdded]

Seems they claim the parallel flow tech for every condenser that I could see. Even for the Gen 1/2's. For example, http://www.shepherdautoparts.com/condenser/ford/taurus/1995.html. They don't provide differentiating info between the 2 condensers on every page. Maybe the silver vs black look?

 

[SHOtimer]

On that page the two condensers are different, the top (black one) is the original design (tubes), the bottom (silver one) is parallel.

I might go this route with my Gen II, i've never been pleased with the degree of cold air I get.

Doug

 

[Zap]

On that page the two condensers are different, the top (black one) is the original design (tubes), the bottom (silver one) is parallel.

I might go this route with my Gen II, i've never been pleased with the degree of cold air I get.

Doug

That is interesting - as far as I know the '94 has an original condenser installed and we get GREAT cooling with it. The caveat is that it has had the shim removed from the compressor clutch and it was recently recharged by weight, so it should be operating very close to spec. If anything I've seen better cooling on the '94 than on the '97. What is the service state of your Gen II system?