How to replace AC Condenser?

[vbgambini]

Ive tried to search. Is there any write up on how to replace the AC Condenser on a S14? (Specifically 1998 240sx) I cant seem to find it anywhere. Thanks.

[Z U L8R]

eh.....if you're looking for a step by step walk through you should try the factory service manual or you can buy it for 15 bucks from ALLDATAdiy.com :: Leading Source of Diagnostic and Repair Information (http://www.alldatadiy.com)

gl

Dave

[Om1kron]

you have to have an ac shop do it... they have to purge your system of freon, and then slowly add it back in. Of course you can do it on your own but that shit is toxic and will make you light headed as fuck as it has made me countless nights in my garage.

[vbgambini]

How much do they usually charge for something like that? Would it be cheaper if I went and bought a AC Condenser and bring it to them?

[240sxfamily]

^ probably.

[g6civcx]

How much do they usually charge for something like that?

I don't know how much someone else would charge for this job. Why don't you call around for quotes?

Would it be cheaper if I went and bought a AC Condenser and bring it to them?

Yes and no. Most shops usually upcharge you on parts so they can make money on parts as well as labour. So you can save money if you can buy at a cheaper price.

The problem is some shops won't use customer-provided parts so you don't have a choice.

There's also a chance that you can buy the wrong part. Then you end up losing money.

I've bought wrong parts before so I'm stupid.

[genericforumname]

you have to have an ac shop do it... they have to purge your system of freon, and then slowly add it back in. Of course you can do it on your own but that shit is toxic and will make you light headed as fuck as it has made me countless nights in my garage.

don't ever do it yourself, releasing freon into the atmosphere is illegal, its a crazy powerful chemical, take it somewhere where they know what they're doing. the AC system is one of only two things I will never touch on a car

on a side note, if your AC isn't up to snuff it may just be that your condenser is clogged up with leaves, my s14 had the same problem, cleaned it off and blew ice afterwards.

[vbgambini]

Thanks for the info guys! Yea I dont have any experience with AC systems and I was afraid of trying to do this myself. There is a big gash in the condenser therfore I believe it is leaking or leaked out dry???

[g6civcx]

don't ever do it yourself, releasing freon into the atmosphere is illegal, its a crazy powerful chemical, take it somewhere where they know what they're doing. the AC system is one of only two things I will never touch on a car

I agree. What's the second thing you won't touch?

[genericforumname]

transmissions, I can do the work, I just choose not to considering the likelihood of screwing up such in important part.

if the system is already empty then it might not be too much of a problem to do it yourself but, at least in Florida, AC is a requirement so I don't screw around with that, I need it to work and work well.

[s13silvia123]

cars these days dont use freon no more. R134 or something like that. some states require you to go to a shop to recharge the ac system some dont i know for sure that MN and IL dont require you to go to a shop to recharge the AC system.

[vbgambini]

Yea I guess ill take it to my mechanic and see what they can do. Anyone selling a 98 240sx AC condenser lol

[genericforumname]

cars these days dont use freon no more. R134 or something like that. some states require you to go to a shop to recharge the ac system some dont i know for sure that MN and IL dont require you to go to a shop to recharge the AC system.


yeah, you're right I don't even know why I said Freon... sometimes I'm borderline retarded.

but in Florida at least I do believe its still illegal to vent the modern refrigerant (r134a) the same as the old Freon(r12) or at least that's what I've always inferred. you can do recharges for sure but actually venting and pulling the old refrigerant out I think has to be done at a shop.