Fitting A New Aircon Condenser (mk 2) - Advice Please

[sal_park]

Hi,

 

After reading this thread I'm pretty sure I need to replace my dryer/condenser. I've bought a new one from euro car parts (~80 quid) and plan on fitting it in the next few days, but I'm wondering if there are any things to watch out for or pitfalls to avoid ?

 

Is it just a case of unscrewing the connectors for the current condenser and put the new one in ? I assume I shoud replace the seals between the aircon pipes and condenser - I've bought 2 for the local VW shop (VW part no 'V8E0 260 749' description 'A3G1D SEAL') - can anyone confirm these are the correct part ?

 

thanks in advance

 

 

sal

[simonashley]

i'm looking forward to watching this topic develope as i think mine is also at fault (not had chance to check it properly yet ) and needs changing let us know how you get on sal park and post any pictures you can :D

[sal_park]

Hi,

 

since starting this thread I've found 2 very useful discussions on this topic:

 

1 - General discussion about the leaky condenser and how to see it easily without taking the bumper off here - this one is worth reading to the end - it's quite a long thread.

 

2 - Details how to remove the bumper here

 

 

Also I got my condenser from eurocarparts - it was only priced at 90 quid (but strangely I was charged slightly less ??). Not a recommendation, but I'll report back when I've fitted it.

 

 

sal

[aabrantes]

Hi,

 

I read some of the topics conserning the A/C condenser and drier leaks, but until now I didn't understand if the leak is on the drier, why we can't replace only the drier?

[aabrantes]

Sorry, I didn't finish my previous post! :-(

 

Because I saw in ETKA of VW that the Drier can be sold alone.

 

I have also a leak on the drier and I underling if I replace only the drier the leak is fixed.

 

Can anyone answer this?

 

Thanks

 

Abrantes, from Portugal

[sal_park]

>>Because I saw in ETKA of VW that the Drier can be sold alone.

 

was this for a mk 1 ? in the mk 2 the dryer and condenser are one unit. I guess another possibility is that this could be a replacement dryer cartridge that you simply replace the old one with. Still you'll need to de-pressurise and re-charge the aircon to do this.

 

 

sal

[aabrantes]

Hi,

 

Is a MKII and I thought to replace only the dryer cartridge, but I was afraid that didn't solve the leak. :-(

 

Thanks

 

Abrantes

[richyrich]

Check out my post back on May 10 ref - 'A/C leak repair - pictures included. Job was quite easy really after I had proved to myself that the leak was on the top of the filter dryer(attached to the condeser and part of it)

 

Need any more pointers?

 

Regards

Richard

[aabrantes]

Hello,

 

I read your post and as far as I understand you replace all your condenser by a new one, wasn't it?

 

I was thinking to replace only the dryer catridge.

 

Thanks

 

Abrantes

[MrT]

I had the leak in this area but it is not the actual cartridge that leaks, it is the condensor where the cartridge fits and this needed a whole new condensor.

[richyrich]

Aabrantes, you can replace the filter dryer only if you want to, but as said you will have to de-gass to do that anyway. You need to get the cap off the top using a piece of threaded rod and with it being aluminium and several years old I doubt you will get it off without damaging the rest of the unit. It is held in by a large inner circlip - can be seen after you have taken the top plastic cover off. Chances are that you may still have a leak after replacing it anyway.

If you get the front bumper off (only a 20 minute job-honestly!) and then get a mobile fridge engineer out to you it shouldn't take too long or be too costly.

 

Richard