alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Nov 24, 2018 12:48:36 GMT
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Hi,
Quick question in case someone's been there before.
I need to replace the aircon condenser (radiator) on one of my fleet and a replacement from Japan costs huuuuuge monies.
So, can the existing condenser be fixed? It's pretty standard stuff, but it's leaking from the cooling fins. Can these be welded, braised or whatever or is it not worth it?
The other option is to find a generic condenser and try and get the fittings or adaptors to match the car.
Cheers
Alex
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Nov 24, 2018 19:05:49 GMT
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I used to work for an OEM company that made condensers. They had a clear liquid epoxy that they would put on new prototype condensers that leaked after production just so they could be performance tested. They would be oven baked then epoxied and then back in the oven to cure. It never lasted very long even on a new clean part so I would conclude no.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,188
Club RR Member Number: 170
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How expensive are we talking? It depends on what the existing condenser is made of.If it's alloy, it could be that the material has become porous. In this case the condenser is only really fit for the bin. People have tried to seal them as Jonsey says above, but the condenser simply will pick another weak spot. I was told this about my oil cooler for my M3 ; it's an alloy item and mine went porous . If it's a normal type of condenser I'd speak with a radiator place and see if it can be recored. I'd also give these guys a try for a condenser. They deal with vintage and new cars. For me, the condenser was actually cheaper than what GSF and ECP quoted me at 'trade' prices, and even if I went online to use a discount code. The place I refer to is MotorClimate in Warwick. They supply to the trade, recondition compressors and source compressors from many people. They do know alot about AC things. He's got two of our cars going. One of which I knew about the fault (pipe was holed) and the other which required further investigation and another place gave up on after trying to gas it.
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Nov 25, 2018 14:57:43 GMT
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Thanks for the info chaps.
It's an alloy condenser and most likely porosity will probably be at least part of the issue I should think. A new condenser from Japan is into the £600 plus without import and charges, not really viable unless I'm stuck.
I'm thinking the route of finding a similar sized radiator and getting someone to fab up adaptors or new connectors onto it would be the best way in the long run.
I'll look into that place you mentioned chasr.
Good info as always from here.
Ta
Alex
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Nov 25, 2018 17:44:31 GMT
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Take it out and see if your local ecp factor will let you have a browse of their nissen paper catalogue . They’re listed with all the dimensions on so you may find a close match to suit the connections . I’ve sorted an Aston Martin by finding something similar and adapting it to fit as the connections were very close to the original
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