Do I need a new condenser?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 17
From: Miami Fl
Do I need a new condenser?
Check out my sig below. My mechanic says that my condenser looks like a rat's nest from all the garbage being scooped up in there (probably from being lowered and driven hard). and that if one is going to clean it, one should just change it for a nw one. what do you guys think? How much are they and how much time to put it in by a mechanic? thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,764
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Stupid question but, why not just clean it? Many of us have lowered our rides and clean the condener and radiator all the time. Maybe it's time for a new mechanic. 
I have never heard that if your going to clean it you might as well replace it. 
Bob
I have never heard that if your going to clean it you might as well replace it. Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
I tend to agree with the others.
Personally I would pull the radiator out then flush the condenser with a high pressure washer from the engine side leaving the condenser connected in the car. Don't break the a/c system open unless you need to.
Personally I would pull the radiator out then flush the condenser with a high pressure washer from the engine side leaving the condenser connected in the car. Don't break the a/c system open unless you need to.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
WOW!!!!!!!!! 
Thats a new one!!! The guy must need some big bucks for his toys! 
Unless your condensor is leaking, damaged to the point that it no longer is able to flow air (fins all bent and mangled) or the fins are erroded away, just spraying it out with a hose from the reverse side is all that you should need. The condensor replacement is expensive!
To show you that your mechanic doesnt know what he is talking about, I bet if you pull off the black plastic radiator cover (below the air bridge) and look at the area between the radiator and the condensor, the radiator will look like it is growing grass! I clean mine out from the reverse side with compressed and then spray some simple green on the radiator and condensor and wash it out with a water hose on direct stream air every spring.
Z06ufgrad2002
Be careful using a pressure washer on radiators! If you use too much pressure or turn the stream to jet, you can seriously damage the fins!
It will fold them over and it is very difficult and time consuming to bend them back!
Bill
Thats a new one!!! The guy must need some big bucks for his toys! Unless your condensor is leaking, damaged to the point that it no longer is able to flow air (fins all bent and mangled) or the fins are erroded away, just spraying it out with a hose from the reverse side is all that you should need. The condensor replacement is expensive!
To show you that your mechanic doesnt know what he is talking about, I bet if you pull off the black plastic radiator cover (below the air bridge) and look at the area between the radiator and the condensor, the radiator will look like it is growing grass! I clean mine out from the reverse side with compressed and then spray some simple green on the radiator and condensor and wash it out with a water hose on direct stream air every spring.
Z06ufgrad2002
Be careful using a pressure washer on radiators! If you use too much pressure or turn the stream to jet, you can seriously damage the fins!
It will fold them over and it is very difficult and time consuming to bend them back!Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Unless your condensor is leaking, damaged to the point that it no longer is able to flow air (fins all bent and mangled) or the fins are erroded away, just spraying it out with a hose from the reverse side is all that you should need. The condensor replacement is expensive!
To show you that your mechanic doesnt know what he is talking about, I bet if you pull off the black plastic radiator cover (below the air bridge) and look at the area between the radiator and the condensor, the radiator will look like it is growing grass! I clean mine out from the reverse side with compressed and then spray some simple green on the radiator and condensor and wash it out with a water hose on direct stream air every spring.
Z06ufgrad2002
Be careful using a pressure washer on radiators! If you use too much pressure or turn the stream to jet, you can seriously damage the fins!
It will fold them over and it is very difficult and time consuming to bend them back!Bill
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Sounds like your mechanic needs to make his new boat payment. Use a shop vac and a small hard nylon brush, with the car raised on jack stands. My car went thru a sandstorm in Az. Getting out all those grains of sand took time and perserverence, and a small stainless hook to pull them out. I lost count at 147,369.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 17
From: Miami Fl
Looked at it with him yesterday and i saw what he meant alot of the fins look clogged but while it was on the lift I started pulling some crap out. Think I'll just clean it out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Originally Posted by urslooow
Looked at it with him yesterday and i saw what he meant alot of the fins look clogged but while it was on the lift I started pulling some crap out. Think I'll just clean it out.
Then a good cleaning from the backside, opposite to normal flow.
RonJ ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
First just clean out your condensor, unless you have some extra cash you just want to throw away. Then get some screen material and attach it from the back edge of the front bumper to past the spoiler, covering the opening to keep junk from going back up there. I got some material for about two bucks at Home Depot.
