AC Condenser Replacement

[jdmorrow]

On Saturday my AC started blowing warm. Took it to the dealership today and they said the AC Condenser has a hole in it and needs replaced. They want to charge me $1400 to replace the condenser. Does that seem like an OK price? What all is involved in replacing it? I'm extremely handy with replacing things I just haven't had to replace an AC condenser before. Thanks for any help.

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[Cabose-1]

It seems outrageous a price. If its just a condensor problem easy fix. But unless you have equipment to work with the new r1234 freon, leave it to people with the proper equipment. It is not the old fashioned 134, or whatever the latest is they sell at wally world. 1234 has very exact measurements and tolerances. Not too forgiving.

 

[T Bone]

is it not under warranty?

 

[jdmorrow]

is it not under warranty?

No the hole in the condenser was caused from something in the road so they wont warranty it especially since my truck is lifted.

 

[jdmorrow]

It seems outrageous a price. If its just a condensor problem easy fix. But unless you have equipment to work with the new r1234 freon, leave it to people with the proper equipment. It is not the old fashioned 134, or whatever the latest is they sell at wally world. 1234 has very exact measurements and tolerances. Not too forgiving.

If theres no freon in the system due to the hole can i just replace the condenser then take it somewhere to recharge?

 

[AdamHarris]

I’m going to say a big portion of that price is the cost of the new freon and charging it up.

 

[Leftcoast]

I'm not familiar with auto refrigeration requirements but refrigeratant laws changed decades ago for residential and commercial. In the early 80s you could just dump to atmosphere. Since mid 80s you needed to be certified with the proper recovery equipment. AFAIK you can't just dump a compressor or condenser at the dumps without certs that it's been evacuated etc. It might be differrent in Podunk.

 

[jdmorrow]

I'm not familiar with auto refrigeration requirements but refrigeratant laws changed decades ago for residential and commercial. In the early 80s you could just dump to atmosphere. Since mid 80s you needed to be certified with the proper recovery equipment. AFAIK you can't just dump a compressor or condenser at the dumps without certs that it's been evacuated etc. It might be differrent in Podunk.

well it’s not a matter of me dumping it. It all came out the big hole in the condenser.

 

[Leftcoast]

well it’s not a matter of me dumping it. It all came out the big hole in the condenser.

You were talking about replacing it yourself.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

If theres no freon in the system due to the hole can i just replace the condenser then take it somewhere to recharge?

Yes you can, but you will also want to change the accumulator (dryer) as well. It's not a hard job, just do your research and take your time when reinstalling everything.

Parts can be found fairly cheaply as well.

Condenser coil KB3Z-19712-B $190.30
Accumulator KB3Z-19C836-A $ 12.10

Also replace any o-rings as well and be sure to lubricate them with the correct compressor oil so they seat properly and won't get damaged when installing the lines.


Pick up a HVAC vacuum pump to pull the system down and make sure the system is sealed and to prevent additional moisture from damaging the dryer. Any certified shop should have the correct type of freon as well. The cost to recharge may only run you a couple of hundred but all depends on the cost of the refrigerant.

You're probably looking at 1-2 hours total time to replace everything and to pull vacuum on it provided you do that before taking it in.

Last option is to buy a set of gauges that are set for R-1234yf refrigerant (no licensee needed)and 3-4 cans from Amazon. If you do you can recharge the system yourself provided you have a digital scale to accurately weigh the can as you fill it. There are temp/pressure charts to assist you as well so you can make sure it's running correctly.

 

[jdmorrow]

You were talking about replacing it yourself.

Yes I plan on replacing the condenser itself but all of the refrigerant already escaped when the big hole was put in the condenser so there will be nothing for me to evacuate. I will just be taking it somewhere to refill.

 

[jdmorrow]

Yes you can, but you will also want to change the accumulator (dryer) as well. It's not a hard job, just do your research and take your time when reinstalling everything.

Parts can be found fairly cheaply as well.

Condenser coil KB3Z-19712-B $190.30
Accumulator KB3Z-19C836-A $ 12.10

Also replace any o-rings as well and be sure to lubricate them with the correct compressor oil so they seat properly and won't get damaged when installing the lines.


Pick up a HVAC vacuum pump to pull the system down and make sure the system is sealed and to prevent additional moisture from damaging the dryer. Any certified shop should have the correct type of freon as well. The cost to recharge may only run you a couple of hundred but all depends on the cost of the refrigerant.

You're probably looking at 1-2 hours total time to replace everything and to pull vacuum on it provided you do that before taking it in.

Last option is to buy a set of gauges that are set for R-1234yf refrigerant (no licensee needed)and 3-4 cans from Amazon. If you do you can recharge the system yourself provided you have a digital scale to accurately weigh the can as you fill it. There are temp/pressure charts to assist you as well so you can make sure it's running correctly.

Thank you. I was quoted $150 to recharge the system by a couple local shops so i think i will do it myself and pray. Hell even if i completely screw up the first condenser im still way ahead of the $1400 autonation Ford wants to charge me to do it lol

 

[AdamHarris]

I'm not familiar with auto refrigeration requirements but refrigeratant laws changed decades ago for residential and commercial. In the early 80s you could just dump to atmosphere. Since mid 80s you needed to be certified with the proper recovery equipment. AFAIK you can't just dump a compressor or condenser at the dumps without certs that it's been evacuated etc. It might be differrent in Podunk.

What do you mean by Po...OH!! Like the whole rest of the earth besides cali. Gotcha. ?

 

[Ranger2021]

It should be covered under your auto insurance under collision but you would have to pay your deductible.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Thank you. I was quoted $150 to recharge the system by a couple local shops so i think i will do it myself and pray. Hell even if i completely screw up the first condenser im still way ahead of the $1400 autonation Ford wants to charge me to do it lol

You can also just replace the parts then take it right in to have the shop recharge it for you. As long as the system has vacuum pulled within a day or two the new dryer unit will be fine. Part of the process is to pull vacuum on it before filling it. So $150 is not a bad price for that, especially to know that it has the correct amount of freon in it. They will also be able to tell you if there is any other issues with it after filling it, and you can have them check it for leaks as well.

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