C7 Stingray AC Condenser Replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
C7 Stingray AC Condenser Replacement
Hi All,
I need to replace the AC condenser in my '14 C7 Stingray. I would like to do it myself as the condenser itself only costs $150, but shops/dealership want to charge me ~$1,200. Do I have to remove the radiator to replace or perhaps just take out the bumper? If anyone has done this, it will be greatly appreciated if you can share you experience. Thanks!
I need to replace the AC condenser in my '14 C7 Stingray. I would like to do it myself as the condenser itself only costs $150, but shops/dealership want to charge me ~$1,200. Do I have to remove the radiator to replace or perhaps just take out the bumper? If anyone has done this, it will be greatly appreciated if you can share you experience. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Hi All,
I need to replace the AC condenser in my '14 C7 Stingray. I would like to do it myself as the condenser itself only costs $150, but shops/dealership want to charge me ~$1,200. Do I have to remove the radiator to replace or perhaps just take out the bumper? If anyone has done this, it will be greatly appreciated if you can share you experience. Thanks!
I need to replace the AC condenser in my '14 C7 Stingray. I would like to do it myself as the condenser itself only costs $150, but shops/dealership want to charge me ~$1,200. Do I have to remove the radiator to replace or perhaps just take out the bumper? If anyone has done this, it will be greatly appreciated if you can share you experience. Thanks!
Keep in mind that you also have to discharge the AC....although I'm assuming your condenser is leaking and you have no AC....once installed you have to evacuate the system, and then you have to fill it There's more to it....but you get the point....it's not just remove and replace.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I have change radiators before in my other vehicles, but never had to mess around with the AC. I did further research online and I decided to schedule a mobile mechanic that works on Vettes to come to my house to fix it. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I ended up changing the AC condenser myself. Difficulty level I'd say 2 - 3 depending on your mechanical skills, but it was plug and play. Nothing mechanical to worry about if you follow the instructions on the video below of someone replacing the radiator in a C7 Z06.
I took the C7 to an AC repair shop near my house first to get the refrigerant vaccumed before replacing the condenser. Once I had the condenser replaced I took it to the dealership for service to vacumm any moisture out of the AC lines and add refrigerant to recharge the system. Took me about 3 hours to do replace the condenser.
I spent $164 in parts, plus $250 to add refrigerant at the dealrship's service dept.
I took the C7 to an AC repair shop near my house first to get the refrigerant vaccumed before replacing the condenser. Once I had the condenser replaced I took it to the dealership for service to vacumm any moisture out of the AC lines and add refrigerant to recharge the system. Took me about 3 hours to do replace the condenser.
I spent $164 in parts, plus $250 to add refrigerant at the dealrship's service dept.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 414
From: Germantown Maryland
Great video... I usually do my own A/C work so that part is easy. What I really got from the video is that I need a couple of new tools... a pop clip remover and that flexible hose clamp release. Very cool tools.
I ended up changing the AC condenser myself. Difficulty level I'd say 2 - 3 depending on your mechanical skills, but it was plug and play. Nothing mechanical to worry about if you follow the instructions on the video below of someone replacing the radiator in a C7 Z06.
I took the C7 to an AC repair shop near my house first to get the refrigerant vaccumed before replacing the condenser. Once I had the condenser replaced I took it to the dealership for service to vacumm any moisture out of the AC lines and add refrigerant to recharge the system. Took me about 3 hours to do replace the condenser.
I spent $164 in parts, plus $250 to add refrigerant at the dealrship's service dept.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ncpWG4Nx8
I took the C7 to an AC repair shop near my house first to get the refrigerant vaccumed before replacing the condenser. Once I had the condenser replaced I took it to the dealership for service to vacumm any moisture out of the AC lines and add refrigerant to recharge the system. Took me about 3 hours to do replace the condenser.
I spent $164 in parts, plus $250 to add refrigerant at the dealrship's service dept.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ncpWG4Nx8
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thanks! I forfot to mention, the Low AC line for a C7 is located behind the coolant reservoir and that it is not visible as the previous models. In order to get to it you have move/shift the coolant reservoir by removing the 2 bolts holding it in place. This was my first AC condenser replacement and it was easy once you remove the radiator. I watched a couple of videos in youtube of other people replacing the AC condensers, which helped a lot.
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