1997GT - A/C Condenser Replacement- Help Please

[Clunkers]

1997 GT - 3.8 - 137,000 miles.

Just discovered a leak in my Condenser (using that blacklight leak detector kit - that stuffs great if you ever need to use it!).

Has anyone ever replaced the condenser on their own?

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions to help the process go smoother for me.

Also, I may be looking at replacing the Compressor as well, It makes a awfully wonderful sound all the time now..almost sounds like someone shaking quarters around in a tin can. It still works, and If I don't have to replace the entire compressor, I won't...But I'm not too sure what my other options would be to stop that noise.

Any help anyone has on either of these projects would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

*** 91 Degrees here in Cleveland yesterday, you can bet on how fast I want to fix this! ***

[jimmytroanoke]

take your ac belt off and spin the clutch by hand and see if the bearing is shot. If the clutch spins smootly with no play then it's probably compressor time. replacing it is doable but you will need to vacuum the system after you open it up and replace the dryer as well. To be politically correct, you should leave this job to a pro with the legal recovery system so no freon is vented into the air. IF you do it yourself and don't vacuum the system properly your relief from the heat will be short lived at best.

[GTP Dad]

I agree partially with jimmytroanoke in that you need to evacuate the system using a vacuum pump before you recharge the system. As for removing the freon, if you have a bad enough leak that you don't have any AC then it is probably gone anyway. As far as the compressor goes it is probably shot and will need replaced due to the noise you say it makes.

The major issue is if the compressor is in fact internally bad you will need to flush the system prior to reinstalling another compressor. This is best left to the professionals. You can replace the condenser and the compressor yourself but without a proper flush you will destroy the new compressor quite rapidly. The other issue is that the oil/solvent necessary to flush one of these systems is not easy to obtain. Also you will need to change the filter in the system due to contamination. I would leave this part to the professionals.

If the compressor is not bad then simply replace condensor, evacuate the system to insure it pulls and holds a vacuum and recharge with the proper refrigerant and it should be fine.

[jimmytroanoke]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

I agree partially with jimmytroanoke in that you need to evacuate the system using a vacuum pump before you recharge the system. As for removing the freon, if you have a bad enough leak that you don't have any AC then it is probably gone anyway. As far as the compressor goes it is probably shot and will need replaced due to the noise you say it makes.

The major issue is if the compressor is in fact internally bad you will need to flush the system prior to reinstalling another compressor. This is best left to the professionals. You can replace the condenser and the compressor yourself but without a proper flush you will destroy the new compressor quite rapidly. The other issue is that the oil/solvent necessary to flush one of these systems is not easy to obtain. Also you will need to change the filter in the system due to contamination. I would leave this part to the professionals.

If the compressor is not bad then simply replace condensor, evacuate the system to insure it pulls and holds a vacuum and recharge with the proper refrigerant and it should be fine.

GTP Dad - Thanks for fleshing out my response. I was in too much of a hurry. I was trying to mention that his noise may be the clutch bearing, hence removing the belt and rotating the pulley by hand. You are probably right that the compressor is shot tho, as it may have leaked all its oil as well as the freon. The flush is definitely necessary if the comp. has self destructed It may also have trash in the orifice tube (from the compressor)which would probably be checked by a competent ac shop. The clutch probably can be replaced by a diyer but by the time you rented the tools, you would be money ahead by letting the pro's have this one.