A/C Condenser failures
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: Friendswood Texas
A/C Condenser failures
1986 coupe w/auto.
Hey, guys. Just had my third condesor failure in a little over 3 years! The first failure was a condensor that had been on for about 8 years. I had it replaced (a 12 month warranty). It failed (lots of leaks) in 13 months. Replaced it again. Now a little over a year later and this one leaks. Large leak at the manifold. I recharged it (had dye in the charge to find the leak) and it lost all pressure in about 2 minutes. I coud hear it gushing out on the drivers side of the condensor. There is no visible damage to the condensor, but I can see dye fanned out around where two metal lines go into the end of the condensor.
Am I just having bad luck with crappy parts, or is there some other condition (high pressure due to somehting) that could cause a condensor to blow a seam? Last condensor was an AC Delco.
Hey, guys. Just had my third condesor failure in a little over 3 years! The first failure was a condensor that had been on for about 8 years. I had it replaced (a 12 month warranty). It failed (lots of leaks) in 13 months. Replaced it again. Now a little over a year later and this one leaks. Large leak at the manifold. I recharged it (had dye in the charge to find the leak) and it lost all pressure in about 2 minutes. I coud hear it gushing out on the drivers side of the condensor. There is no visible damage to the condensor, but I can see dye fanned out around where two metal lines go into the end of the condensor.
Am I just having bad luck with crappy parts, or is there some other condition (high pressure due to somehting) that could cause a condensor to blow a seam? Last condensor was an AC Delco.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I suspect when your original compressor failed it left metal shavings in the system. They will quickly tear up the new compressor seals. Unfortunately there is no way to reliably flush the shavings out of the system. They get stuck in the condenser and evaporator and then can come loose later.
A reputable shop will recommend you replace the entire system. If you remove the orifice and find it is covered with a gray sludge, that's a good indicator.
A reputable shop will recommend you replace the entire system. If you remove the orifice and find it is covered with a gray sludge, that's a good indicator.
