Air-con, Faulty Condenser

[pfgiz]

Hi,

My conderser has a leak, been verifiyed by the air-con man. He advised getting a new conderser and dryer, from him, and replace the ones on the car. I was wondering if anyone knew the size of the conderser in a Mk 1 XM and what type of connectors are used so I can source a replacement for my faulty unit. It's like driving arround in a green house with all that glass.....!!!!!!!

Also are there any guidlines about swapping them over, things to look out for etc.

Many thanks..

Peter.

[xmexclusive]

Hi

The MK1 aircon piping and condenser(front rad) changed type at ORG 5348.
This means cars made from 02/09/93 used the later type of aircon bits. They always tell you to fit a new evaporator as the ingress of "wet" air is supposed to damage it.

Regards

XMexc

[citroenxm]

Hi pfgiz!!

Ahh the air con system. I have a 1992 car, but after a chat with an Air Con specialist, and an XM driver, I have been informed the the WHOLE of the pipe work and parts under the bonnet can b changed to run R134a Gas. The evaporator under the dash can stay in situe. The old and new systems use the same pipe connection on the bulk head.

Series one condensers are apparently 158 quid, but series two ones are a bit more available in second hand as these seem to get broke up more for spares.

Im in the process of swapping a Series two V6 system onto my S1 V6, which I know was good as it had gas in the system when I broke off a connection! (Shame)

I have Two Series Two condensers I beleve to be good. But also needed for the second condenser would be all pipe work, IE: From evaporator, to dryer, from dryer to condenser, from condenser to compressor, compressor itself, then from compressor back to evaporator...

Shall put up a report on here when I get my system up and running. Personally then, I think purchase of a car which is for spares, with air con, swap all parts over, to R134a, and you can then re-gas your self with DIY cans if and when it gets low on pressure!

Good luck.

Regards
citroenxm

[woolybully]

Thats funny (well not really I suppose) mines blown a condenser as well asked on XM-L site for advice on changing and got this reply from pierre dosen't sound too diff but something's always going to throw a spanner in the works when I get involved.

Guy on ebay's advertising them at arounf £100 airconmedic.co.uk

Good luck (oh and would you like to fit mine once you've sorted yours ??)

Cheers Tony

Drain the coolant
Remove hoses from radiator
Unclip radiator at the top
lean it towards engine
*carefully* lift it up, you have to twist it a little in order not to
damage the fins
Now you have good access to the condenser.
Be careful when you undo the first pipe, if there is resident pressure left.
Plug the pipes as soon as you've disconnected or you will get air in the
system - air = moisture.
The new condenser will have plugs in the connections, remove them just
before you connect the pipes.

//Pierre

[pfgiz]

OK, is there anyone out there with mark 2 system who wants to sell it? I live in the South East but work three days a week in the West Midlands so location is not really a problem. I'll cross your palm with silver, or purple notes, which ever suits, and hopefully I'll be cool soon in all this heat...

I guess buying a system is one sure fire way of getting it to rain down here, and the grass needs it...

Thanks...

Peter.

[pfgiz]

What about this idea, would a system out of an R reg 406 fit my XM..?

I'm guessing not, pipes and all, but I thought I'd ask the experts...

Peter

[Peter.N.]

If you look on Ebay or Google for suppliers of condensers, they will very often have a picture or illustration of them, so you can see if its the same as yours.

Peter.N.

[xmexclusive]

Hi pfqiz

Have looked 406's for compatible components. Not sure of the age of the one I looked at but I decided that the aircon bits were a non starter for XM's. The compressor had its connections on the side instead of the end and the rad had different mountings and pipe layout.

Regards

XMexc

[Norman]

Hi all,
Just bought on E-bay a condensor for my Mk1 as mine has a hole in it, had a look at the previous instuction to change it as various air con merchants have quoted me £280ish to change it, and after looking at the job i'm not surprised doing what's quoted previously wont work in my case as the air-con condensor is the first or the front one of three "radiators" water, oil, air-con in that order.
talking to a mechanic it would seem that the whole front of the car has to come off to replace the Condensor. so i will save up for that particular job to be done
Also on the box it was marked Peugot 406 as well as Xm.
Regards,
Norman

[citroenxm]

Hi Norman

Ah your the fellow that out bid me!! Well done, I was a bit jubious about fittings. Thank god my latest breaker has a GOOD condenser on it!!

Interesting that its same as Pug 406. Theres a V6 in my local breaker that I have not investigated yet.

Regards
citroenxm