AC condenser

[Bray]

As it looks like I will need a new AC condenser.
Since the original part is no longer available I am interested if anyone knows of any alternative part with minimal conversion?

[jifflemon]

On my list of jobs to do is convert from the original R12 to R134a, but using modern, and therefore more readily available, components.

Sadly, its one of the last jobs to do, so I'll be interested to see if anyone suggests something.

[Bray]

Those are dimensions of condenser in my 480.
620 x 400 x 25 mm

Lower connection is 16mm male thread and upper 19mm male thread.

btw: how to attach photos?

[NickE]

I don't suppose has anyone succesfully *repaired* their condenser by welding over a leak? I did have beautifully cold AC (so cold in fact that it was painful to keep one's hand in front of a vent for any length of time!). Anyway, not any more. But thanks to the the purchase of some leak detection fluid, I've found a small leak in one of the condenser tubes from stone damage.

[Alan 480]

I don't suppose has anyone succesfully *repaired* their condenser by welding over a leak? I did have beautifully cold AC (so cold in fact that it was painful to keep one's hand in front of a vent for any length of time!). Anyway, not any more. But thanks to the the purchase of some leak detection fluid, I've found a small leak in one of the condenser tubes from stone damage.

A 'decent' air con company should be able to fix it for you, depending on where it is damaged and how 'fragile' the rest of the item is, ally though could be an issue?

[jifflemon]

You can replacement condensers from Poland. Volvofan is the seller - let me find a link….

Here you go link

[NickE]

Thanks yes I saw the Polish-sourced ones. I'm going to attempt a repair on my existing one first with some fast setting metal putty. Mainly because if it works it'll be a very simple job -
1) Remove grille
2) Clean up area around hole on condenser tube
3) Apply putty
4) Replace grille

If it doesn't work then replacing it is obviously much more involved!

[jifflemon]

Just be aware that that ac tends to operate from 135 - 210 psi. Putty is very likely to reach terminal velocity….

[royhedger]

Have you tried low temperature alloy welding sticks?

https://ebay.us/m/uWZ6Bt


They look just the job for this type of repair.

R

[NickE]

A little update. The advantage of trying the putty method is that I can do the repair with the condenser in situ - any welding would mean disconnecting and removing the condenser from the car, blocking up the now-open AC pipes to prevent excess moisture from the air getting into the system and doing the welding on a bench.

So I used Evostick Hard and Fast Metal Epoxy Putty from Halfords - once mixed it has a working time of 10 minutes and goes rock solid after a couple of days.

So far it is holding up well, I don't want to pre-empt anything but time will tell for sure!