Air Conditioning Condenser, How to get to it

[bigjohnh]

Hi All,

Just had a really helpful chap look at the Air conditioning on my series 1.5. He checked it all through and confirmed that it will work except for a leak on the condenser.

My question to you all is how do I get to it?

I assume that the bumper and front gille has to come off. Please let me know your collective wisdom as doing it myself will save a lot of money. The chap said that if I can get access he will be able to change over the condenser in a matter of a few minutes.

Also what is my best source of a new condenser, is there any mileage in trying used parts, the air con bloke will supply new but is happy to try second hand.

I have posted the man's website in the links section and he has said that he will post this forum in his links page.

Thanks

John

[Peter.N.]

On the 2.1 td I think you can get to it just by removing the radiator.

Peter.N.

[bigjohnh]

Sadly peter the condenser is at the front in front of the radiator and the intercooler on the 2.0 petrol.

Could I get at it by removing the front grille and the fans?

[Norman]

Hi John,
I have a new condensor for a 93 2.0 sei which i was going to fit to my car but it has unfortunetl gone the scrap yard sfter a unfortunet accident and therefore is available for sale if its any use let me know i am based in tilbury essex,
regards,
Norman

[noz]

Hi bigjohn,

The fans are actually mounted in a very large plastic moulding which makes up most of the front of the car. Whilst it could in theory be removed its a significant task. I've never had aircon so can't advise directly however, having changed the radiators on more than one occasion I can guide you through the process.

Remove the grille. There are four bolts at the top of the aforementioned black plastic affair where its anchored to the wings, two on the offside, two on the nearside. I found that if I removed those bolts the top half of the black plastic affair tilts forward enough to get the radiators out from the back. They are easier to drop through the gap underneath rather than upwards in the 2.5. Not sure if thats the same with the 2.0 model.

I assume access to the condenser is fairly straightforward once the radiators are out of the way?

Hope that helps,

Cheers

noz

[bigjohnh]

I am going to tackle the codenser access this weekend, hopefully successfully. If anyone has any tips they will be gratefully received. I will try to keep a photographic record and post it here if I am successful.

John

[xmexclusive]

Hi Bigjohnh

I suspect that you will find that the condenser has 2 metal tangs at each side near the top. These tangs are slotted up into metal loops on the front of the radiator.
At the bottom the condenser will have a round metal spigot near each end. These sit in upsidedown rubber top hats fitted into holes in the front sub frame. The radiator base has the same type of fittings into the front sub frame.
If the a/c condenser is early type it will have a pipe connection at each end and they regularly break if you attempt to undo the connecting pipe. If it is the later type of condenser both pipes join on the passenger side end and are held together with a clamp and one bolt centrally between the two pipes.

Regards

XMexc

[onthecut]

Hi Bigjohn.

I'm sure your aircon guy will have mentioned this, but just in case --- First -- has the system been properly de- gassed ? You really don't want a faceful of the gas when you open the system. Second, if there's going to be any gap between opening the system and completing the job, immediately seal the open pipe ends. Aircon systems tend not to like moisture in the system. Good luck with it.

Mike.

[citroenxm]

Bigjohn,

What car is it again john?? If its a V6 you have no chance of getting the condenser out and unfortunally its an FRONT end off job!!

I need to do this on my 24v to fit a condenser... I reckon a 2nd hand part is fine as long as you know its in good order, from the looks of the TWO S2 units and a S1 condenser they are Alloy and so shouldn't rust, so unless theres a stone hole in it which is useually what writes them off it should be ok..

I'm not too sure about 2.1td or 2.0 8v but I guess the battery compartment will still be in the way for readiator removal, but if I remember rightly when I stripped my 2.0 8v I got the rad out - VERY FIDDLY and the air con rad out with the front still on..

BUT.. as far as not breaking anything, I'd go Front End Complete off as the safest route (only 8 bolts!!)

Regards
citroenxm