Condenser type?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 38
From: Austin Tx
Condenser type?
A couple of weeks ago, my A/C compressor is starting to make a clanking sound when it was in use. I replaced the A/C belt, idler pulley and tensioner/pulley assy but clanking is still there. I'm currently in the process of gathering all the necessary parts/tooling to replace the compressor.
My main concern now is the condenser may have a bunch of compressor bits stuck in it. I was reading somewhere that if I have a "tube and fin" type of condenser, it could be suscesfully flushed of debris.
However, if I have the "newer type" where the freon enters a tank and has multiple small passages to flow thru (like a radiator), I would not be able to completely flush out the debris.
Question is, which type of condenser does a 2000 vette have?
Thx!
My main concern now is the condenser may have a bunch of compressor bits stuck in it. I was reading somewhere that if I have a "tube and fin" type of condenser, it could be suscesfully flushed of debris.
However, if I have the "newer type" where the freon enters a tank and has multiple small passages to flow thru (like a radiator), I would not be able to completely flush out the debris.
Question is, which type of condenser does a 2000 vette have?
Thx!
Last edited by zz28zz; Oct 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 38
From: Austin Tx
Just finished the compressor replacement. I pulled the condenser out to clean out the debris plugging the cooling fins and got a good look at it.
It's not the old school "round tube and fin" and it's not a parallel flow either. It's like the old type in regards to the freon flows thru all the tubes in series, but the tubes are flat like a radiator. Looks like if a lot of debris entered the condenser it would probably need replacement.
In my case, something was up with the clutch and that's where all the noise was coming from. The orfice tube only had a few really small metalic specks. Pretty much normal for a 10 yr old compressor.
It's not the old school "round tube and fin" and it's not a parallel flow either. It's like the old type in regards to the freon flows thru all the tubes in series, but the tubes are flat like a radiator. Looks like if a lot of debris entered the condenser it would probably need replacement.
In my case, something was up with the clutch and that's where all the noise was coming from. The orfice tube only had a few really small metalic specks. Pretty much normal for a 10 yr old compressor.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 45
From: Tallahassee
I replaced my compressor , orifice tube and evaporator over the summer. Flushed the lines and condenser really well, then ran a vacuum and recharged the freon. Works beautifully now. Mine is a 99 vert.
Tim
Tim
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 9
From: Spartanburg SC
Just finished the compressor replacement. I pulled the condenser out to clean out the debris plugging the cooling fins and got a good look at it.
It's not the old school "round tube and fin" and it's not a parallel flow either. It's like the old type in regards to the freon flows thru all the tubes in series, but the tubes are flat like a radiator. Looks like if a lot of debris entered the condenser it would probably need replacement.
In my case, something was up with the clutch and that's where all the noise was coming from. The orfice tube only had a few really small metalic specks. Pretty much normal for a 10 yr old compressor.
It's not the old school "round tube and fin" and it's not a parallel flow either. It's like the old type in regards to the freon flows thru all the tubes in series, but the tubes are flat like a radiator. Looks like if a lot of debris entered the condenser it would probably need replacement.
In my case, something was up with the clutch and that's where all the noise was coming from. The orfice tube only had a few really small metalic specks. Pretty much normal for a 10 yr old compressor.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 45
From: Tallahassee
Orifice tube was not THAT dirty. No clanking sound from the compressor. I just replaced the orifice tube, evaporator and compressor. Then flushed the lines and condenser over and over, blew compressed air thru the lines and condenser to get the a/c flush out. Put it all back together with new seals and new oil, vacuumed it down, replaced the freon and VOILA! It's cold in Fla again.
Tim
Tim
Last edited by tim32311; Oct 27, 2010 at 04:45 PM. Reason: wrote evaporator meat condenser
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 38
From: Austin Tx
I cleaned the condenser.
After it was out, I used a shop vac to suck-up the matted dirt and grass being careful not to bend the fins.
Then hit it with a water hose. After that, I still had a lot of little pebbles stuck in the fins. I was able to get a lot the pebbles out by gently tapping the condenser on the driveway face down.
I didn't remove the radiator but gave it the shop vac/water hose cleaning while in place.
As for the condenser internal cleaning, I used a a/c flush gun (http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/msc91046-a.html)
Worked pretty well. Only downside is it goes thru solvent VERY quickly.
Luckily I had bought 2 cans of flush solvent. It was barely enough.
After the solvent flush, I purged with a regular air gun until dry.
After it was out, I used a shop vac to suck-up the matted dirt and grass being careful not to bend the fins.
Then hit it with a water hose. After that, I still had a lot of little pebbles stuck in the fins. I was able to get a lot the pebbles out by gently tapping the condenser on the driveway face down.
I didn't remove the radiator but gave it the shop vac/water hose cleaning while in place.
As for the condenser internal cleaning, I used a a/c flush gun (http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/msc91046-a.html)
Worked pretty well. Only downside is it goes thru solvent VERY quickly.
Luckily I had bought 2 cans of flush solvent. It was barely enough.
After the solvent flush, I purged with a regular air gun until dry.
