help! just jacked my a/c up....

[3Q Jay]

i can't belive i messed this up. what an idiot!

ok so my transmission cooler which is working great, no leaks, etc. was bugging me because the hoses near the radiator [mines mounted 'in the gap'] prevent the plastic close-out from sitting nice and pretty.

so, i decided to move the hose just a bit and i had this great idea to drill a couple small holes in the bulkhead just above the a/c condensor to have something to tie strap to.

well, i blew it, set the exposed bit length too long, and just nicked the condensor depressurising the system.

so, trying to recover....can I take the condensor to a radiator shop and have it repaired?

i'm sure full system evac, new drier are in order--just wondering if i have to get new condensor or if it can be fixed.

any damage control things right from the start to preserve the [remainder of the] system?

...kicking myself....

[elwesso]

I think you mgiht be better off getting a used condensor than trying to repair it.

[DAEDALUS]

I agree. Too thin to weld. Pressure too high to patch probably. A radiator shop might be able to pinch it off, but consider what the labor cost is if they don't get it right. I think you have to remove the bumper to get it out, don't you? Someone in BST was selling either a condenser or evaporator, brand new. At least you probably don't have to worry about debris getting in when you punched it.

[3Q Jay]

ok, guys thanks for the inputs--i was especially hoping Robert would weigh in.rad shop said the alum solder was good to 600 psi, but i agree that the amount of time to R&R the beast means i won't want to do this more than once.the one thing i was thinking about trying to salvage mine was that the system had never [previously] been open, and so contamination would not be an issue.this does concern me [should it??] about getting used one.

already checked this morning with IoS. drier in stock, cond they won't even know when they could get one until monday.

so, Wes--ya got the consensor from the '94?

one more thing, i think the cond could be pulled by moving the radiator back and pulling the cond out of 'the gap'?

anyone know for sure on a 94?

[elwesso]

I think the condensor could be pulled from the back, i didnt pull the bumper.. You have to take off the bumper to replace the condensor FAN but not the condensor..

I have my condensor from the old Q and i cleaned it out real good right after I took it out...

[3Q Jay]

ok i sent Wes the cabbage for his old condensor. getting new rx/drier and 2 o-rings from IoS. Joe can't get the o-ring on the condensor [the one from the compressor] for who knows--so Robert you mentioned 'green' ones a while back. from where? will they show the right one in a book or do i have to pull the old one and match?

also, i have no way of knowing for sure how much oil was lost when it vented, so i'm planning on putting in 2oz of pag46 to the condensor [just pouring it in] before installing the lines. is this cool? will still ofcourse evacuate after sealing everything up.

[DAEDALUS]

I have a bin of various green AC o-rings that I just picked up recently. I'll see if any match the one you need. This is the one on the superheated line that enters the condenser?

[3Q Jay]

yes sir. 'size 12' per the fsm.

oil charge method look okay to you? just ordered a vac and bunch o' shop goods [but no o-rings] from tool warehouse.....

[DAEDALUS]

Heh, that's where I got my o-rings. I got the metric import kit. Don't know about the oil volume. It's up higher than where the oil settles, but on the other hand it was a rapid outgassing, which would move more oil than a simple evac would. You'll have to go with an educated guess I think, barring a full flush.

[3Q Jay]

thanks Robert. i'll be happy to comp you for the o-ring.

[maxnix]

I would recommend new, a new drier, and of course you will have to evacuate and recharge per FSM.

[3Q Jay]

hey, where were you? train left the station....we'll hope Wes' condensor works. If not, then I'll have to wait 7-10 for Joe to get new one.new drier and o-rings, check.

[3Q Jay]

Robert- don't know your work sched, but i'll be at the sdc today, weds--leaving about 1630 if you want to meet up....

[elwesso]

Jay, the condensor went out and you should get it friday...

Be sure to clean it up good before you put it back in..

[3Q Jay]

Wes- the condensor arrived in one piece today!

i see i need to do some fin straightening and then we'll put it in.

Robert--if you're watching can i borrow/rent your vac pump? had quite a snafu with 'thetoolwarehouse'.

[elwesso]

Wes- the condensor arrived in one piece today!

i see i need to do some fin straightening and then we'll put it in.

Robert--if you're watching can i borrow/rent your vac pump? had quite a snafu with 'thetoolwarehouse'.

Good deal hope it works for you!

[DAEDALUS]

Sorry Jay, had to attend "boot camp" since Friday morning.

[3Q Jay]

no worries, spent all my free weekend time getting Wes' core ready for install.shipment #1 from tooltopia will arrive tomorrow with the pump/oil/mani set.shipment #2 with oil injector, o-ring kit won't arrive until monday

Maybe i could get the o-rings from you on Friday and re-fill your supply next week when mine come in?

ps- if i drain the compressor right now ? can i just put all new oil back in [comp drain + 0.2 oz new drier+2.5 oz condensor] later while under vac? any harm to have no oil [except evap residual] in system while its not being run?