Dealer diagnostics came back that refrigerant is leaking from a small hole in the condenser on my 94 Q45. Rockauto has the condenser for $130. Should I also replace the dryer? Other suggestions for parts? Dealer NLA and Japan is about $500.

Are there tricks that I should know if I want to replace those units myself? I have done the radiator before. The dealer did all the A/C O rings last summer but the R134 still leaked out over the winter. I've read through the FSM and searched the posts here.

Thanks David

You want to replace the dryer if you are opening the system. Especially if it is original.
If you do it yourself, refill with fresh oil the amount which drains out of the old condenser.

Thanks Dan
I was thinking to take it to a shop and have the AC evacuated, even though it is leaking. Will that suck out the oil also?
David

You always lose a little oil when recovering or evacuating, but it should be an inconsequential amount, a few drops. You shouldn't need to do that before the repair with a punctured condenser, there won't be anything in the system to recover. It's important to do it before you recharge, to eliminate any atmospheric moisture that got into the system while it was opened up for repair.

Radiator shop reports unfixable. A tube is getting thin from corrosion where it meets the header tank. Replacement on order from Rockauto. Hope it shows up.

The condenser should be pretty straight forward. I'm guessing you'll need to remove the radiator to replace it, but you may be able to get it out just unbolting it. The FSM should tell you how much oil to add. Usually there are set amounts to add for a condenser, and another amount for the dryer. You'll need the oil anyway to lubricate the new o-rings. If you're having it evacuated and recharged at a shop, I'd be sure to tell them that you've already added oil and replaced the dryer. In theory, you could get a loaner vacuum pump and gauges at some place like AutoZone, but without a good micron gauge you won't know if you pulled a deep vacuum on it. Of course, unless you really trust this air conditioner place, you won't know if they did either.

As with any part, inspect it as soon as possible when you get it from Rock Auto. The first one I received for my truck was dented pretty badly. Fin damage isn't much to worry about, but if it's close to a "tube" then it's more of a problem.

Q451990
Thanks for the reply. The condenser came out without removing the radiator. The shops have a machine that supplies oil along with R134 when they flush and refill. No oil came out of both the both the dryer and the consenser. Do you know if the 1990 condenser is the same as the 1994-1996?There is a 90 in a pick and pull that I am going to take a look at next week if the RockAuto doesn't show up. The website said only 1 left and after I placed the order, the RA website removed the listing. Partsgeek shows only 1 available. None on ebay or the other ususal vendors.

I would think they're different, due to the changeover from R12 to R134a.

Rockauto has shipped. Back up plan, bring the radiator shop a new condenser same size, they can modify the mounts and fittings if necessary.