a/c condenser removal?

ccb222 · Post by **ccb222** » 01 Mar 2005, 21:01

a/c condenser was punctured and must be replaced. Am I oversimplifying to say disconnecting 2 pipes and removing 4 bolts will let it drop out the bottom, leaving the radiator etc in place?

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Jul 2005, 23:38

More info on ccb222's saga with AC. He sent me this in an email, so I'm posting it in case anyone can use it:

~ ~ ~

This is a Q and given my frustration level, it may help others.
'95 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon.
Had punctured condenser, so replaced it.
A/C place suggested I replace Accumulator before recharging.
PROBLEM IS: Bought the tool to disconnect the springlocking coupling on the evaperator to accumulator line and can't get it apart. The tool pushes into the fitting but the line does not pull apart, and believe me, I think I've tried every pull, lever, pry combination I can imagine and it does not release. I finally cut the line on the accumulator side of the coupling and took off the threaded coupling that goes to the condenser line so I could drive the car without having to reattach the old accumulator. NOW, HOW TO GET THE SPRINGLOCKING COUPLING APART.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Jul 2013, 13:40

Very old thread alert.

You have to unmount the receiver/dryer and evaporator metal lines to separate them, even with the tool in my experience. If you don't, all the pressure you apply to the line is merely absorbed by the mounts. You most certainly have to release the M6 bolt holding the lines to the frame member (the nut on mine broke free which made this a pig-in-a-poke)

Once the tool is in place, I had luck attaching a vice grip to the inner tube, then tapping with a small hammer to shock load the tube and Orings out of the outer tube. This worked on both the evaporator and on the receiver/drier.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 17 Jul 2013, 19:15

Rocking the accumulator back and forth will help as well. It is very cumbersome to press hard on the release tool while at the same time pulling hard in the opposite direction with the accumulator as the suction line isn't well anchored. Once the accumulator line moves out by about 1/8" you no longer need to keep pressing the tool as it has done all it is going to do and you can then better stabilize the suction line and finish pulling the accumulator off.

The male line that goes inside of the accumulator is a couple of inches long and it has two O rings so don't expect the accumulator to magically be free by simply releasing the quick connect. With enough patience, or swearing, or both it will come apart.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 17 Jul 2013, 19:36

...and remember , with any major component replacement, you are putting a new receiver drier on anyway, so a cutoff wheel will remove it in 7.5 seconds...

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 19 Jul 2013, 12:21

ccb,

I need to replace my condenser as well, bought the part on ebay for 70 bucks, planning to do the job when I return from vacation in September. If you replace yours by that time I will contact you again to find out about your experience.

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2013, 14:35

Are you replacing condensor (in front of radiator) or the evaporator (in the dash)?

neworleans · Post by **neworleans** » 19 Jul 2013, 23:04

I will be replacing the condenser only...

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jul 2013, 03:10

The OP posted in 2005 so I will split this thread into a new one with links to some useful posts on condensor replacement