SYMPTOMS OF A BAD A/C CONDENSER

purpose

The purpose of the A/C condenser is to cool down the hot refrigerant gas and turn it into a liquid.

location

You’ll typically find an AC condenser towards the front of the car, right in front of the radiator.

symptoms

WARM AIR

The first and most obvious symptom you might notice is the A/C blowing warm air. This could happen because the fins on the condenser have accumulated dirt or debris. In a worse scenario, the fins could be bent. When this happens, the air won’t be able to flow through the fins properly, resulting in the condenser not being able to get rid of heat as it should.

LEAKING

Warm air could also be the result of a leaking condenser, making it our second symptom. If the condenser tubes wear out or get damaged, the refrigerant could escape. It’s best to perform a visual inspection to detect any signs of leakage. Sometimes it might be hard to spot leaks, so I recommend using a leak detector to help you out.

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To figure out if you have a clogged condenser, you’ll need an A/C manifold gauge. If you get a high reading on the high pressure side, and a normal to high reading on the low pressure side, it could be caused by a faulty condenser. Make sure to look into your repair manual to see the correct PSI ranges for your specific vehicle. 

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If you concluded that your A/C Condenser needs to be replaced and you want to do it yourself, I would recommend getting a repair manual here. You can use code “AD10VA” for 15% off one-year subscriptions for any US Order.

You can also buy a new A/C Condenser here.

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