Dead A/C Condensor

My A/C hasn't been working for several months now and I figured that since it will be getting warm soon (maybe) I would get it working. I had the dealer look at it (no charge for diagnostics) when I was in for an oil change and they found the condensor to be leaking. They quoted me a price of $510 for a new condensor and labor. I don't think it's worth jumping on, but would rather look for one on ebay. My question: could I possibly install a condensor on my own (I don't have many tools, other than a basic tool-set)?

Not knowing your ability, but this is not usually difficult, look the job to assess what's what, it must be thoroughly evacuated and charged and leak tested when done, if the 150 includes all that it is a steal.

I think you misread my post. It is $510. IF it was only 150, I'd jump on it without even asking others' opinions.

You are right there, old age dislexia!! Go to it , large open ends are required or the necessary t release tool for the quick disconnect lines, don't forget to add a couple of ounces of the proper oil to the system when done.

Not sure if youve already done this or not, but I would advise you to wear some gloves when disconnecting lines and things of that nature, and at least some safety glasses. The refrigerant in the lines will not be pleasant to get on bare skin and has a frostbite on contact feature, similar to the effect propane gas can sometimes have.

Also keep in mind that it is illegal to vent R-134 refrigerant into the atmosphere, so if their are any EPA agents in your neighborhood, you might want to make sure they arent looking:)

I haven't done anything yet. I think I'm going to wait until it gets warm out and until I'm out of school for the summer, cause I don't have time to have my car down.

Could anyone explain exactly how I should go about doing it? Pictures would be lovely, too, if possible. I don't care about releasing the refrigerant into the air. Screw the EPA.

I'm starting to think about getting this done, as I leave my car with a soaking wet back after every ride on a humid day. I looked on Ebay, but I don't know what to get. There are some that are listed as being compatible with all years for the Intrigue, while others are specific. Can someone look up the part # for an 01 Intrigue's A/C condensor? Thanks.

These condensers are available at NAPA and other major parts houses, oe # is 52479857, this is a 2.5 hour job plus evac and charge

My A/C hasn't been working for several months now and I figured that since it will be getting warm soon (maybe) I would get it working. I had the dealer look at it (no charge for diagnostics) when I was in for an oil change and they found the condensor to be leaking. They quoted me a price of $510 for a new condensor and labor. I don't think it's worth jumping on, but would rather look for one on ebay. My question: could I possibly install a condensor on my own (I don't have many tools, other than a basic tool-set)?

I have good news. Wal-mart sells a kit that repairs leaks in AC systems. I think it costs about $20.(plus the cost of the re-charging valves/gauge). I was doubtful that the thing would work but thought I would give it a try. Put the stuff in and recharged the system but the charge leaked out again in two weeks. I thought the stuff didn't work so I never turned on my AC again.

About a year later I was going to drive 1500 miles in the summer so thought that I would recharge the system even it only lasted for a couple of weeks. Anyway, that was 10 months ago the AC is still fully charged.

My advice is to buy the sealant, use the ac until the charge leaks out, and then let the ac rest while the sealant hardens.

This wasfor the leak in the compressor of my ram pick-up and not my intrigue but i don't see much difference.

That sounds quite interesting. I have a leak in my condenser. Would it seal that too? By the way, I had it recharged last spring and it lasted until about August. I knew it was leaking though, otherwise it wouldn't have needed charged. This year, they were able to look at where it leaked, as they put dye in it last time. If there would be a way to simply seal it and recharge it myself, that would be great. I only need the A/C to last until fall anyways, as I don't use A/C once the temp goes below 65 anyways.

The real killer is when it's sitting in the sun for a while on a hot, humid day, as I have dark leather, which gets really hot. Then I go on my ride home for 65 miles and my back is literally drenched from sweat. I can open the windows to cool the rest of me off, but I get out and my shirt is literally dripping in sweat. I did learn my lesson NEVER to get a car with dark leather or even a dark interior again.

The Walmart " death" kit may correct temporarily minor hose leaks, but not a leaking condenser. The last condenser I bought from Napa was 160.00!

What if I simply recharge it? I know it will leak out again, but last time it took several months. Could a condenser leak get worse over time?

Yes.

The Walmart " death" kit may correct temporarily minor hose leaks, but not a leaking condenser. The last condenser I bought from Napa was 160.00!

Not sure where the leak was in my AC system, but the "death kit" worked for me. (eventually). If I make it throught this summer and I still have AC in October I will figure that the fix is more than "temporary".

BTW, the company who puts out the "death kit" claims that it will cure compressor leaks too.

If you ever have to evacuate the system for repairs this sealing material will damage the equipment used to perform evac and recharge operations, hence the name.

If you ever have to evacuate the system for repairs this sealing material will damage the equipment used to perform evac and recharge operations, hence the name.

I figure that using the stuff was a one-time effort to fix the system and that if it failed, then the vehicle ac system would just be dead weight because I was not going to spend $500+ to get it repaired. I knew that adding stuff like that to the system would probably mean no further opportunity for professional intervention. however, the p/u was 10 years old and I expected that it was worth the chance.

BTW, how does a professional ac repair guy know if some shade tree mechanic has added the "death kit" before he ruins his/her equipment?

I wouldn't use the stuff in a new or near new vehicle. But a car with 100k miles and knowledge of the risks/rewards is an other matter. I don't know if the death kit works for everyone but it did seem to work for me.

One of the problems with new cars is that they don't have a decent vent system anymore.

I went out and bought a recharge kit. I don't have a clue if it will work, but I figure for only $25, it's worth a shot. As long as I can make the A/C last through the summer.

Well, my $25 was a waste of money. I filled the system up, and within five minutes, it all leaked out - I could hear it coming out on the driver side of the condensor, towards the top. This means I'll have to get a new one. Does $500 sound like too much to replace this?

Well, my $25 was a waste of money. I filled the system up, and within five minutes, it all leaked out - I could hear it coming out on the driver side of the condensor, towards the top. This means I'll have to get a new one. Does $500 sound like too much to replace this?

Well, phewop, it wasn't a complete waste of money. At least you have the guages to recharge another AC system. Plus you know that the leak was a lot worse than you thought it was.

$500 sounds reasonable to me.