99 Tercel AC condenser

Hello, everyone:
My AC has lost all freon and mechanic is saying that a condenser is
leaking and needs to
be replaced. When he charged AC slightly, I indeed saw something
dripping at the front.
I am not experienced in car repairs. Can it be something simpler than
replacing a
condenser?
Thank you.
Viatcheslav

<vriabov@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:1146524720.727055.128400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello, everyone:
> My AC has lost all freon and mechanic is saying that a condenser is
> leaking and needs to
> be replaced. When he charged AC slightly, I indeed saw something
> dripping at the front.
> I am not experienced in car repairs. Can it be something simpler than
> replacing a
> condenser?
> Thank you.
> Viatcheslav
>[/color]
It could be a leak in the receiver drier, high pressure line, low pressure
line, evaporator, condenser, or expansion valve. Without looking at the
vehicle, it is difficult, if not impossible, to accurately and properly
diagnose the cause of the leak. My recommendation would be to take the
advice of a professional, or if you do not trust the shop, take it to
another for a second opinion, although be aware that you will have to pay
for another diagnosis.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On 1 May 2006 16:05:20 -0700, [email]vriabov@lycos.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hello, everyone:
>My AC has lost all freon and mechanic is saying that a condenser
>is leaking and needs to be replaced. When he charged AC slightly,
>I indeed saw something dripping at the front. I am not experienced
>in car repairs. Can it be something simpler than replacing a
>condenser?[/color]

Your mechanic would have to pressurize the system with dry Nitrogen
or dry shop air (run it through a desiccant air drier) and see exactly
where the leak is. If he couldn't point to a certain spot and say
"There is the trouble spot", it was an incomplete diagnosis. It could
be leaking at the threaded fitting for the hoses, and that is easily
fixed by changing the crush washer or O-ring, or a new hose fitting.

If the leaking spot is a crack or rub-through of the tubing that is
easily reached, and the condenser has copper tubing core, it is easy
to fix. Simply make room to get in with a torch, and braze the leaky
spot shut.

If it is an aluminum tube core that is leaking, that gets trickier.
They may have to take the condenser core off the car to get it on the
workbench, and then prop it up at the right angle to weld it up, and
it will need to be done by a highly experienced welder using a TIG
torch.

Aluminum is tricky to weld because it has a very narrow temperature
difference between where it's in the 'plastic range' and hot enough to
weld, and where the whole area melts into a big puddle - and even the
best welders will occasionally ruin an item while trying to weld it.

If it's an aluminum core, or the leaking spot is inside the fin
section where it would be a bear to repair, you are better off to
replace the whole core. Forget epoxy or other 'patch' repairs, they
are not worth the time or effort. The prices are reasonable for new
condenser cores, and not too hard to change out.

Be glad it's not the evaporator core in the heater box under the
dashboard. That one's usually a Gold Plated SOB to change out, just
because the heater box is buried deep.

--<< Bruce >>--