3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Hi, I have a leak at the bottom of my condenser and I'm looking into replacing it to get my A/C up and running again. Last week I went to recharge it and after about two minutes with the first can a whole blew out at the bottom of my condenser and green stuff starting leaking out. From what I've read, I understand that is it a good idea to replace the dryer and receiver along with it. I want to do this myself and then get it vacuumed and recharged at a garage. I understand it is a good idea to add compressor oil too. I understand you should get new o-rings too.
1st; Where is the receiver and dryer located? What is that part (long black round canister looking thing) on the driver side near the front beside the condenser? Could that be the dryer?
2nd; How many o-rings do I need? Are they different sizes? How would I go about ordering o-rings? Do I need a part number for them or will one size fit all?
BTW this is 2.2 4 cylinder, the a/c has been replaced 8 yrs ago, so this is the second condenser. I have 406,000 km and still running strong.
The dryer is a silver cylinder in front of the battery. you'll see an a/c line going in and out as well as the pressure switch connector on top. it also has a small sight glass on top. the other black canister is most likely the vacuum tank if it has 2 small black hoses on it(unrelated).
Its easy enough to replace, just a few 10mm bolts if i recall. Just make sure the system is empty first.
You can ask the A/C shop to sell you a couple o-rings if you need them, they have hundreds laying around.
And when you have it recharged, just let the shop know to completely evacuate the system, so they know to add an oil shot as well.
Hey thanks, your right it, it is silver. lol It was very dirty and yes it has a sight glass on top. Can't see anything inside it. Just some green residue.
What am I suppose to be looking for through the site glass?
So the oil goes in after the system has been vacuumed? Is that what your saying?
Hey thanks a lot! So, if I just replace the condenser, any idea of how many new o-rings I will need? Would like to have everything there ready to go when I do it.
and yes, the oil gets added after it has been vacuumed.
Hmmm, actually according to my Denso dryer installation instructions you remove the protective cap and add 0.7 ounces of ND-Oil 8 through the 'OUT' side of the reciever drier and then install.
I know I asked this question before...but for all you A/C pros out there, do you think that after 230,000 miles and gone thru 2 evaporators (original one EXPLODED due to sitting on the lot before I bought it) that I should bite the bullet and change condensor as well?
I am just fed up everytime I get my A/C up and running it goes out in a few months because something else is leaking. And A/C recharges have gone up! I went to 2 places and they want $150 minimum for a vacuum and recharge which is a lot for something that 'might' just leak out again few months later.
I'm sick of it! Arrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh. That's why I'm installing my compressor and dryer myself this time to save on labor.
if you are really paranoid and you want to make sure that everything won't leak (at least from what you can do about it), then replace it as well.
as for the vacuum and then add oil comment- I've never looked at the shop manual, but that's what the a/c shops that I've gone to has done everytime I had to refill mine (which was always due to either me replacing the condenser due to an accident, or I pulled the motor and unhooked the lines to let the freon out).
So, be it the "correct" way of doing it or not, it's what they've done every time and makes sense to me, since putting in oil before vacuuming the entire system (which is to vacuum away moisture, etc.) seems kind of counter intuitive?
and 150 isn't too bad of a price. up here in canada, the people who do it properly charge shop time for everything, so a full vacuum and refill will easily run you 300bucks. But it's still a small price to pay (in my opinion) for ice-cold a/c during the summer months (which is around 4 months of the year here)
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i just replaced the compressor on my jeep liberty. it was $107 to vacuum and recharge the system. yes, replace the o-rings - all of them. at least on the jeep, they were two different sizes depending on whether it was on the in or out side of the compressor. you can probably get an o-ring kit for cheap that will have the various sizes.
as for the vacuum and then add oil comment- I've never looked at the shop manual, but that's what the a/c shops that I've gone to has done everytime I had to refill mine (which was always due to either me replacing the condenser due to an accident, or I pulled the motor and unhooked the lines to let the freon out).
So, be it the "correct" way of doing it or not, it's what they've done every time and makes sense to me, since putting in oil before vacuuming the entire system (which is to vacuum away moisture, etc.) seems kind of counter intuitive?
I looked at the packaged Denso installation instructions for installing compressor and dryer. If "shop mechanics" were so smart then I wouldn't have to keep fixing my damn A/C every god damned summer :-(
I can see the part about the vacuuming makes sense as it would drain out the oil. Honestly...I'm just confused about the whole process. On the 1 hand it's saying add oil and then hookup the service valves, on the other hand the vacuum is pulling moisture?
$150 may not sound like a lot but imagine doing it at the beginning of summer and the end up summer. Not to mention replacing whatever is leaking.
Adding up all the maintenance cost on my car...the A/C system is the main thing that I keep paying to have fixed, only to have non at all. Next is the timing belt/water pump and I'm really hoping that doesn't go out before it's time either.
Now that I ordered parts straight from Japan...this should be the last of it.
I decided I won't change the condensor. It's like changing the alternator just because I had 3 (yes 3!) compressors fail on me. Alternator is an original...so I just can't justify changing 1 part because of another.
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Last edited by 96ToyoCam164K; 06-25-2011 at 05:28 AM.
When replacing components it's perfectly acceptable to add the proper quantity of oil to each component just before you hook up the refrigerant lines before pulling vacuum. If you are charging a system that has just had a vacuum pulled you can add oil that is premixed with refrigerant, the problem is knowing how much oil you're adding. Adding the correct quantity of oil to an existing system is more art than science and too much oil will reduce the efficiency. I have an injector tool that I can hook up to the fittings which will allow me to inject dye, oil and other additives into a charged system or one with vacuum. If you've replaced the compressor you don't want to run it until you have oil in it - obviously. Factory manuals instruct to add oil to components before installation and vacuuming. Old and previously opened oil should be suspect for moisture.
Determining when and which components to replace is just a judgement and available money call if they are not leaking. In regions with harsh winters and road salt the life of the condenser will be reduced - also check for cooling fins separated from refrigerant channels like you would for a radiator. As well if you don't extract all the moisture from a system it will corrode from the inside.
Unlike a timing belt replacement where you need to dismantle from the front to get to the belt, replacing low cost parts using the same labor is just good sense, but in A/C systems each component is a separate labor item (except for evaporator/TXV) so you can just replace what's needed taking into consideration the re-charge/vacuum fees. If you have the time to spend on an old system the least you should do is replace as many o-rings/seals as you can access. Proper leak investigation is key to diagnosing.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
Last edited by Stillrunning; 06-25-2011 at 05:31 AM.
i just replaced the compressor on my jeep liberty. it was $107 to vacuum and recharge the system. yes, replace the o-rings - all of them. at least on the jeep, they were two different sizes depending on whether it was on the in or out side of the compressor. you can probably get an o-ring kit for cheap that will have the various sizes.
That sounds more feasible. I mean...1 shop wanted $170 or I think $190 just to recharge the system. That's a rip off.
I went for years doing recharges for $40-$100. I know every shop has the right to charge what it wants...but I can't risk doing that on the off chance something else starts leaking. And my last $500 evaporator/expansion valve change...I don't know what brand they put in there probably a piece of shit.
Mechanics bitch at me for bringing my own parts but it's because I don't trust the crap that they put in. They put the cheapest parts in and charge everything else for labor
If I can go online and get a brand new Denso compressor made in Japan for less than the rebuilt crap/4 seizens that supplies their shop then I can't see what the issue is.
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Last edited by 96ToyoCam164K; 06-25-2011 at 05:47 AM.
When replacing components it's perfectly acceptable to add the proper quantity of oil to each component just before you hook up the refrigerant lines before pulling vacuum. If you are charging a system that has just had a vacuum pulled you can add oil that is premixed with refrigerant, the problem is knowing how much oil you're adding. Adding the correct quantity of oil to an existing system is more art than science and too much oil will reduce the efficiency. I have an injector tool that I can hook up to the fittings which will allow me to inject dye, oil and other additives into a charged system or one with vacuum. If you've replaced the compressor you don't want to run it until you have oil in it - obviously. Factory manuals instruct to add oil to components before installation and vacuuming. Old and previously opened oil should be suspect for moisture.
Determining when and which components to replace is just a judgement and available money call if they are not leaking. In regions with harsh winters and road salt the life of the condenser will be reduced - also check for cooling fins separated from refrigerant channels like you would for a radiator. As well if you don't extract all the moisture from a system it will corrode from the inside.
Unlike a timing belt replacement where you need to dismantle from the front to get to the belt, replacing low cost parts using the same labor is just good sense, but in A/C systems each component is a separate labor item (except for evaporator/TXV) so you can just replace what's needed taking into consideration the re-charge/vacuum fees. If you have the time to spend on an old system the least you should do is replace as many o-rings/seals as you can access. Proper leak investigation is key to diagnosing.
You seem to know a lot about A/C...I should take your number down and have a conference call once I begin LOL.
But it all helps to make sense. I'm just worried because I had a evaporator and radiator fail (due to accidents and sitting in lots). But oddly that condenser just holds up steady. It's an original that has outlived 3 compressors and 2 evaporators and 1 radiator.
This is my 1st winter in bad winters...every other time was in Florida. I just want to live by the it's not broke don't fix it rule....but at the same time if I can just replace it, it's 1 less thing to worry about.
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Last edited by 96ToyoCam164K; 06-25-2011 at 05:49 AM.
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