Punctured AC Condensor

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

In a moment of absolute stupidity, I managed to put a hole in my AC condensor today. ops:

Not exactly something you do every day, so I have a few questions:

1. Is the refrigerant corrosive?

2. Can a condensor be repaired or does it have to be replaced?

3. Do I go to Toyota or a car AC specialist?

4. Might be worth sourcing a 2nd hand condensor from a wreckers and then get the system re-gased.

5. Anyone want to have a guess at what cost I am up for?

Cheers - Byrnsie

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

how the hell did ya put a hole in the ac condensor

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Mark

I was hoping I would get some anwsers to my concerns before anyone asked me that the question.

May as well come clean. Installing some air horns in the gap between the condensor and front grill and "slipped" with the drill. Only just touched the condensor . . . but that's all it takes to do some damage to the soft aluminium condensor core when an 8mm drill bit is spinning at 2000rpm.

Yeah I know . . . don't need to say it! ops:

Cheers - Byrnsie

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

F*%$ Greg!!! I know i said they were girly horns but you didn't have to go this far :shock:

Righteo, Refrigerant is non -toxic and non corrosive.

However, if there has been oil leak with the refrigerant which is more than likely, treat it like brake fluid and rinse and degrease to clean it off properly just to make sure.

The aluminum used to construct the coil is thin to ensure good heat transfer.
You may be able to get someone to fix the hole but it is doubtful as to how effective that would be if at all possible. Generally a condenser repair results in a loss of capacity and efficiency as you will more than likely lose a whole circuit in the condenser.

Check the wreckers to find one that isn't damaged, however the scarcity of write off's that are only hit at the back or sides that haven't damaged the front would suggest that if there was one around it would be of a similar cost to a genuine item.

You will need to go to a car A/C specialist or an Auto electrician that has the gear to get it installed and gassed up properly.

If i knew where the mig was at work i would throw it in the car and head down with the gear and see what i could do.

If you have any further questions i have PM'd you my phone numbers.

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Thanks Damo.

I will ring a few AC places tomorrow and see what they have to say.

Cheers - Greg

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

The other problem with welding is that the oil in the system stops the weld from sticking.
If you can seal up the hole with what ever you can till you get it fixed. The dessicant in the receiver/dryer will continue to absorb moisture and will need to be replaced as well if you leave it open to atmosphere.
Any a/c place should be able to regas it for you once you get it fixed.

Hate to think how much a genuine one is...... :shock: :shock:

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Rang Toyota today. Not as bad as I was expecting. $204 (plus GST of course) for a new condensor. However, also up for 3 hours @ $85/hr for installation and removal. As all the gas has already escaped, I think I can manage this bit myself. Will then just need to get it re-gassed.

I am not sure about the receiver/dryer set-up. The service guy told me I should replace it as well as the condensor. The parts guy told me it was built into the condensor. Maybe what the service guy was referring to was the dessicant that Strahan mentions (pardon my ignorance of these things, but I am not exactly sure . . . actually I have no idea whatsoever . . . what dessicant is or what the receiver/dryer is).

I also rang a radiator place who said take it out and bring it in. If simple repair, should cost no more than $50! As I have to take the old one out anyway if purchasing from Toyota, I may as well take it to the radiator place first for them to take a look at it.

Whatever the outcome, I will now have a very expensive set of air horns.

Cheers - Byrnsie

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

It's good protocol and best practice to replace the drier unit if the system has been exposed to the atmosphere.

With the humidity we have had over the last few days, i would be replacing it as a matter of course.

Bryce is right in saying that it would be difficult to repair as the oil will still be present at the temps that the aluminum will become suitable for welding, however there are flushing agents that can be used to strip the oil out of the condenser. I would imagine that the radiator place would do this first, if not ask why.

The system will have to be flushed anyway as the oil is hygroscopic and will be stuffed anyway.

$204 + GST is not bad at all for a Toyo part but for the amount of material used and how much it would cost to make, they are still taking you to the cleaners. Some low life decided to break my drivers side rear vision mirror shortly after getting the car and that cost me the better part of $500 to replace. Thank god they are all chrome as i am sure that it would have been another $100 to get it colour coded.

If you go the route of getting the new condenser, ensure that you replace the "O" Rings in the connection fittings. You should be able to pick them up at your local Heatcraft branch or the guys doing the re-gassing should have them. It's worth replacing them to prevent future issues.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

The dessicant is to absorb any moisture in the system. The compressor especially does not like any water.

:shock:

Getting the old one out should not present any dramas. Just be sure to use two spanners when the pipes are bolted together or onto the condenser. Very easy to rip off the connections if you use just one.

Hope you get cold air again soon 32 deg in Hobart had mine firing!!