Air Conditioning Condenser repair & replacement done differently

What does an AC Condensor do?

The AC's condensor is a component that changes the AC refrigerant gas into a liquid refrigerant through cooling. Conversely, the heat generated during the cooling process has to be dissipated which is done by the condensor's fan.

How do you know there is something wrong with an AC Condensor?

• When the air conditioning does not work.
• When the air coming from the air vents is not as cold as usual.
• Poor fuel consumption.
• When there is a ticking noise coming from the engine bay.
• When there are patches of fluid on and around the AC unit.

When should you consider an AC Condensor replacement?

There is a number of reasons why an AC Condensor can go wrong. One example is when the condensor fan does not work properly, in this case the condensor will not adequately cool and can even damage the system. Problems can also occur when the condensor leaks. This usually means the condensor's tubes and seals have worn out due to normal use, but it can also mean that the condensor has been damaged by debris from the road (the condensor is usually situated at the front of the engine bay, and therefore prone to damage from outside).

In other cases it can also be a case of the condensor being clogged up, usually because of the refrigerant getting contaminated with debris coming from other parts of the system. It is important these isues are addressed as quickly as possible to prevent further, more expensive, damage to other parts of the system.

Should you experience problems with the AC system or the condensor, then it is advisable to have the AC system and the AC condensor inspected and, if necessary, have the condensor replaced. Seeing that the AC condensor is especially prone to deterioration it should always be serviced as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer.

What happens during an AC Condensor replacement?

• Mechanic will read the ECU for possible fault codes related to the AC system.
• Mechanic will inspect the AC system and the AC condensor.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the condensor.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will refill the AC system after replacing the condensor.
• Mechanic will inspect the AC system once again and test the condensor to see if it works properly.
• Mechanic will make any adjustments if necessary.

How much does an Air Conditioning Condensor replacement cost?

The cost of replacing an air conditioning (AC) condensor depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your AC condensor replaced by ClickMechanic, by selecting your car at the top of this page!