A/C Condenser

• The A/C condenser absorbs and releases heat from pressurized gas and prepares the coolant for the final cooling process.
• Replace it once you start noticing warm air coming out of the A/C vents, a burnt odor coming out of the vents, or that overheating subsides when your car moves.
• Replacing a faulty A/C condenser saves you from more expensive problems like a full A/C system failure.
• Consider compatibility, durability, and price when buying an A/C condenser replacement.
• A replacement typically costs around $80 to $2,200.

In order for your car’s air conditioning (A/C) unit to handle the pressurized gas from the compressor, it needs a condenser, which is a kind of heat exchanger. It is mounted behind the grille and in front of the radiator for it to cool off with the help of the wind. Most A/C condensers nowadays are made of aluminum, while older models had copper coils.

To understand the condenser's significance to your vehicle's performance, let's discuss the automative A/C system.

Before you get to enjoy the cold breeze inside the cabin, the A/C unit needs to perform a series of tasks. A car’s A/C unit features a closed loop system that houses a pressurized agent known as the refrigerant.

Closed loop means that the system needs to stay blocked from atmospheric pressure that can ruin the circulation of the refrigerant during the cooling process. If there is a leak somewhere in the valves or you’re A/C compressor, your cabin can transform into a giant oven during the day.

First, a compressor circulates the refrigerant by compressing it in its gas state and passing it to the condenser through the high pressure valves. The A/C fan then cools down the refrigerant inside the condenser and turns it into liquid.

The liquid refrigerant then travels to the evaporator, where it instantly turns back into gas. The rapid expansion of the liquid to gas state cools the refrigerant instantly. This cool air is blasted by the blower fan through your A/C vents, cooling your cabin despite the scorching afternoon heat.

After the refrigerant has passed the compressor, it heats up as a result of the compression process. If you take the condenser out from the system, nothing will process and cool the hot gas before it gets transformed to liquid.

If the uncooled refrigerant passes the expansion valve without passing the condenser first, you’ll only get to feel warm air coming out from the A/C vents. Thing is, your A/C condenser is responsible for dropping great amount of temperature of the compressed gas outside of the system, in preparation for the final cooling in the expansion valve.

If you think your A/C condenser might be broken, don’t ignore it. The best thing to do is to bring your car to a service center and have it checked. Keep an eye out for these telltale signs before jumping to conclusions as well.

Warm air coming out of the vents

Warm air coming out of the A/C vents is a cause of a malfunctioning A/C condenser. If the A/C condenser becomes too hot, it won’t be able to cool the refrigerant down as it gets passed on to the evaporator. This is one of the first signs you’ll encounter if the A/C condenser is not working.

Overheating that subsides once the car moves

The condenser handles the hottest state of the refrigerant, which when not cooled off immediately may affect the engine temperature. In worse cases, this could result in engine overheating, even when the car’s idling. You’ll know it’s not a problem inside the engine if the overheating subsides when the car is in motion.

Burnt odor when immediately after turning the A/C on

If the A/C condenser fails to process the refrigerant, it heats up continuously. This overheating can affect all the A/C unit’s components and could result in a burnt odor that’s fanned out of the vents. The longer you ignore this burning smell, the more damage your A/C condenser—worse, the whole system—will face.

A car without an A/C unit, especially during the summer, is like an oven toaster with wheels. If the cabin gets too hot, it could amp up the stress levels of the driver and passengers. The discomfort caused by a hot cabin could result in impatience, short temper, and fatigue. So to keep your cool, you must also keep your cabin cool at all times by making sure the A/C condenser is properly working. It could also save you from bigger expenses that a damaged A/C system can cost you.

Consider the following when you shop for a new A/C condenser for your vehicle:

• Compatibility - When shopping for a replacement condenser, consult your car's manual. It will give you the exact model and number of its condenser. Aftermarket retailers offer OEM and replacement parts for every vehicle. It's important to double-check your vehicle's exact technical specifications to avoid problems when installing it.
• Durability - Since the condenser is responsible for dissipating heat in your vehicle's cab, you should get one that's very durable. Most condenser fins are either made from copper, brass or aluminum. Copper and brass fins are good materials for cooling but aluminum is more corrosion-resistant. The bottom line is: it should last your car's lifetime.
• Price - You will find a lot of shops and online stores offering a wide variety of condensers with prices that range from a hundred dollars to less than a thousand. Choose the best brand with the best price that fits your budget.

Automotive AC condensers are generally mass-produced and it's easy to get a compatible replacement part. If your vehicle's a/c system is providing abnormal temperatures, have it checked immediately. Don't sacrifice your driving and riding comfort.

A/C condensers cost roughly around $80 to $2,200, which is relatively cheaper than replacing an entire A/C system. Just keep in mind to indicate your vehicle’s year, make, and model when shopping online for OE replacement parts to get an accurate list of all the components that fit it.

When your A/C system starts blowing hot air, it may be time to replace the condenser. Replacing the A/C condenser is fairly easy but it takes time. Below are the tools and steps you need to finish this project.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Things You Will Need:

• O-ring set
• Wrench set
• Refrigerant (R-134a)
• Refrigerant oil
• Vacuum pump
• Drain basin or container
• Air conditioning gauges
• 1/4-inch drive socket set
• 3/8-inch drive socket set
• Replacement A/C condenser
• Refrigerant recovery equipment

Safety Tips:

• Make sure that your work space is well-ventilated since you will be dealing with gases.
• Wear safety glasses and other personal protective equipment. Some examples are closed toe shoes or latex gloves.
• The R-134a refrigerant is toxic and it should be disposed properly, as per federal laws.
• Don't forget to wear a protective mask while flushing and recharging the condenser.
• Always follow proper disposal procedures for coolants and refrigerants.

Step 1: Make sure to disconnect your battery's negative cable.

Step 2: Locate the car condenser and check it for any cracks.

Step 3: Flush the refrigerant from you're a/c system using the recovery equipment.

Step 4: If you are unable to recover the refrigerant; go to a certified shop that can help you with it.

Step 5: Drain the radiator's coolant by removing the top cap and bottom plug.

Step 6: Use your drain basin to collect the coolant from the radiator. Make sure to dispose of it properly.

Step 7: Use the socket and wrench sets to disconnect the radiator's cooling fan assembly, mounting brackets, transmission lines and hoses. Once these are off, remove the radiator from the engine compartment.

Step 8: Unbolt the condenser from the radiator core support and disconnect all refrigerant lines. Remove the condenser from the engine compartment.

Step 9: Make sure to save the old clips and vibration dampeners for the new condenser. Put them in place before installing the AC condenser car replacement.

Step 10: Once all the clips and vibration dampeners are in place; bolt the new condenser into the radiator core support.

Step 11: Connect all your lines to a vacuum pump to remove all excess air from the system. Continuing vacuuming until the gauge reads "0".

Step 12: Check o-ring seals and replace all worn-out seals before reinstalling the refrigerant line connections. Tighten these line connections with a wrench.

Step 13: Check the line connections and replacement AC condenser for any leaks before recharging the system with R-134a refrigerant.

Step 14: Reinstall the radiator and reattach its hoses and transmission lines. Once the radiator has been installed; reinstall the cooling fan assembly and close the radiator's drain plug.

Step 15: Refer to your vehicle's manual for the right amount of R-134a refrigerant to be recharged into your a/c system.

Step 16: Reconnect your battery's negative cable.

Step 17: Don't forget to fill your radiator with a mixture of antifreeze and water.

Step 18: Turn on your engine, then the a/c to check the cabin temperature.

Replacing the car AC condenser will take about two hours for a seasoned DIYer and four hours for a beginner. Take your time and check everything thoroughly. It's better to be sure than to be sorry in the end. Get your hands dirty and have fun!