Hi all

 

I'm considering replacing the aircon condenser on my 2011 Yeti, and wondered if it's a DIYable job ?

 

Reason for replacement is that all of the fins (visible from the front) of the condenser are completely mashed in from stonechip hits, there's no way air can flow through in any quantity, which means the flow over the intercooler behind it must be significantly reduced too.

 

Anyone done it themselves ?

Or if you've paid for a replacement, how much did it cost ?

 

You won't be able to degas and regas the AC system yourself. But the physical replacement is easy enough (talent dependant).

Can you not carefully straighten the worst of the damage out and get some flow?

I presume the system is still gas tight? If the gas has already leaked out, should be quite easy to replace yourself, and not worth trying to carefully clear air routes.

 

If it is gas tight it would be illegal for you to discharge to the atmosphere so you might as well get the service agent to replace the radiator as a small part of emptying an refilling the system if you decide to go ahead and replace.

Is there actually a problem with the AC, engine performance or coolant/oil temperature?

If its still performing correctly then the airflow is sufficient and the intercooler wont be measurably affected.

33 minutes ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Can you not carefully straighten the worst of the damage out and get some flow?

I presume the system is still gas tight? If the gas has already leaked out, should be quite easy to replace yourself, and not worth trying to carefully clear air routes.

There's no way the fins will all straighten out, it's totally mashed. I'll try and get a photo later

 

I think it's still gas tight; the aircon doesn't blow as cold as it could do but that may just mean regas is required (or it could be due to lack or airflow through the condenser fins).

 

However, as it's a remapped 170 - I'd rather the intercooler was performing to the best of its ability, and not having its performance reduced below standard by lack of airflow.

Here's a peek at the condenser through one of the apertures in the lower grill.

The entire visible surface is like this....no way is that letting a full flow of air through the intercooler behind it!

Have you tried blowing out the bugs from behind, water hose jet perhaps.

Fins don't look too mashed, just lots of bug and dirt debris blocking, which will be dry, brittle and pretty easy to remove

A soft brushing will get rid of some, water jet more. Just requires a bit of perservence with a soft toothbrush

To get access to blast out from behind would mean taking the condenser out.....I think if I was going to the effort of doing that I'd just replace it.

I suspect the only way to damage it like that is to drive through a deep and very muddy pond?

No, just 120,000 miles of mixed urban and rural driving, and the thousands of stones that will have been flicked up into the front of it.

The lower grill is very open; some people made their own mesh guards to try and prevent the condenser being holed from larger stones.