So this weekend I have the lovely task of replacing the condensor on my aircon as its now leaking lots of air.

 

I've read that its possible to replace it by removing the lights, removing the bumper, removing the crash bars and then replacing.

 

Any thought on how this compares to just removing the radaitor and doing it that way. Obviously it would need the rad re-filling and bleeding which I guess can be problematic.

 

 

I would do it from the front. Had the local indy do mine. Cost £170 in labour and regass. Took then 3 hours.

As you said headlights out, under tray, bumper, crash bar. Will need it on ramps or axle stands.

Also has the system been degased?

Sent from my Galaxy S5

Yeah I have a couple of axle stands and don't need it de-gassing as its well and truly done that by it self looking at the readouts in vag-com lol

 

I think the tricky bit will be the passenger light. I am sure the last time I had to replace the bulb i ended up doing it in situ as it was a complete arse and would not come out.

I took the whole front end off my Octy VRS took me under 20 minutes to take off so easy and the condenser is at the front should take 3 hours maybe hour and a half 2 tops if your first time

^{Before you start check you have new o'rings as my condensor came without them,  I also replaced the o'rings for the pump at the same time 3 different sizes from memory, the two at the condensor are very similar make sure you get them the right way round.}

 

^{I choose to remove the bumper, the only difficult part was getting access to the bolts holding the pipes to the condensor which required part dimantling the cooling pack frame. The block connection  would not separate from the condensor so cut the piprs on the condensor and unbolted the hoses from the pump and separated them on the bench.}

^Scott

  

Edited 26 September, 201411 yr by smc998

My Audi tech mate, just moved the rad out the way by undoing the screws and lifting the radiator out ( still connected ) and laying it ontop of the engine block and taking the condenser out from the space createted.

Let us know how you get on

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^{Before you start check you have new o'rings as my condensor came without them,  I also replaced the o'rings for the pump at the same time 3 different sizes from memory, the two at the condensor are very similar make sure you get them the right way round.}

 

^{I choose to remove the bumper, the only difficult part was getting access to the bolts holding the pipes to the condensor which required part dimantling the cooling pack frame. The block connection  would not separate from the condensor so cut the piprs on the condensor and unbolted the hoses from the pump and separated them on the bench.}

^Scott

  

You wouldn't have any pics or vids of him doing it.

Took around 3 hours which I did not think was too bad considering I had not had the front end off before. Not an overly complicated job but one where you just have to be methodical.

 

I did look at the moving the rad out the way but I could just not see how it would be possible due to the gab behind the rad being smaller than the thickness it needed to be brought back before moving it up.

 

Just need to get the aircon charged up now.

Just had a look at mine again. Think when I do mine, I'm going to go the route of taking the rads out . The diesel must have a lot more clearance than the petrol, couple of pipes, some screws and un bolt the aircon pipes and it's out. The car is a 2008 so I want to do the coolant anyway.