AC condeser coils

Slo-Ride · Aug 7, 2009

Just took a rock or some other road debris thru mine and had to drop 600$ have have it replaced...
My Q is has anyone had any luck in getting these repaired at a radiator repair shop?..Mine took the hit right where the low pressure line goes in the side of the coil..Doesnt look like any other damage then at that joint..The shop that got me back on the road says a repair will never hold up under the pressure the air cond. puts out?????
I'm thinking and hoping to repair it and have it sitting on the side for future use or sell it which ever comes first..

piper1 · Aug 7, 2009

If it is the condenser it is high pressure in and out, the low pressure is in the evaporator. They are not worth getting fixed usually as the risk of a leak and discharge is quite high. The high side of a system can easily hit 250 psi. That is pretty hard to braze especially on the thin cheap stuff condensers are made out of these days. Curious as to what kind of truck you have? $600 seems like a lot.

Something to keep in mind, for everyone, if your A/C system develops a leak when it quits leaking (the refridgerant is gone) air and moisture will rush into the system and create some very bad situations (acids etc). It is a very good idea that any time your system is "open" to the atmosphere that you replace the drier and have the system pulled into a good hard vacuum to fully dry it out so that the new refrigerant and oil can do their jobs without having to fight off contaminants.

A good A/C shop will recommend this, it is a wise idea not a rip off for more money.

davekc · Aug 7, 2009

We found on the M2's, that they have three different manufacturers that have supplied these condensors. They change every 11 months in order to avoid a recall.
A fourth one is due by the end of the year.
This came from the FLT dealer in Amarillo TX.
Much more profitable to replace them than do a recall. We have a 05 and it has ate three of them so far.
All would develop cracks on the freon tubes.
None covered under warranty.

redytrk · Aug 8, 2009

davekc said:
We found on the M2's, that they have three different manufacturers that have supplied these condensors. They change every 11 months in order to avoid a recall.
A fourth one is due by the end of the year.
This came from the FLT dealer in Amarillo TX.
Much more profitable to replace them than do a recall. We have a 05 and it has ate three of them so far.
All would develop cracks on the freon tubes.
None covered under warranty.

Replaced 3 or 4 of these damm things on my 04 M2. Tech said they are built with old beer cans.

highway star · Aug 8, 2009

I had mine replaced in May and the tech used the exact same comparison, beer cans.

guido4475 · Aug 8, 2009

Has anyone tried using detroit radiator as a supplier for a/c condensers? They claim to be better made than original. I bought a radiator for my sterling, with a metal one, replacing the original plastic one. a very nice radiator.

guido4475 · Aug 8, 2009

Also, has anyone ever cleaned their cooling tubes on the condenser as well as the radiator, and anythiing else that cools on the front of a truck/van? Most hardware stores sell a/c condenser cleaner that you spray on the cooling components and hose off. use a garden hose, not a pressure washer, to prevent bending the fins.I do my trucks every spring.I did my van for the first time last week, and by doing this, it dropped the operating temperature by 1/8 of an inch on the temp gauge on the gauge cluster.You'd be surprised what dirt gets trapped in those fins.

Slo-Ride · Aug 9, 2009

Piper,, the truck is an 2007 F/liner M2..
I thought the price was high also,,but I was on the east coast far from my tool box and I was stuck,,I had to get it fixed with the heat moving in,,I didnt know when I was getting close to the house..

I do know for sure they didnt gouge me on the part itself to bad,,I called two dealers and all came in within 20 25 dollars of what they charged me,,I paid 238 for the part,,,rest was the evac & recharge,,freon,,shop rags and labor..and TAXES of course

Judging by some others luck,,maybe I didnt have something hit mine..They are for sure thinner then a beer can,,maybe vibration???