AC took a dump about a week ago after a failed compressor clutch rebuild. Compressor is eating clutches so I ordered a new Denso compressor and condenser(which includes the drier). Compressor seems pretty straight forward but haven't been able to find any threads detailing a condenser replacement. I don't have an FSM so I thought I'd ask the forum. Anyone replace one? Is it possible to pull the condenser out the front like they do on the Tundra's/100 series? Or does the radiator have to come out? Or possible leaned back enough to squeeze the condenser up and out? Thanks!
A/C Condenser Replacement
- Thread starter baggar11
- Start date
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bloc
SILVER Star
FSM procedure is to remove the bumper skin then the removable center of the core support. Condenser then peels out the front.
This thread shows how to get the FSM, especially the later pages
forum.ih8mud.com
This thread shows how to get the FSM, especially the later pages
FSM for 200 series
cat /etc/apache2/httpd.conf | sed -e ‘s/\/Library\/WebServer\/Documents/\/Volumes\/Complete Land Cr/g’ > /tmp/https.conf @linuxgod : sed on macOS is has some syntax quirks. This won't work with macOS's sed. I'll play with the syntax this week and post something that is easier than using vi...
forum.ih8mud.com
I just did this today. Takes about 5 hours to replace.
My mechanic replaced my compressor today, billed 3 hours. I managed to buy denso unit on amazon for $140, still upset that it didn't last longer. First major repair in last 150k miles along with solenoid in transmission. Car running like brand new, took it for emissions testing and lady did not believe when I said 278k miles she thought it had 27,800 miles. Had to physically check to believe. She was in disbelief entering it into the computer.
- Thread starter
- #7
Finally got around to getting this job done. Took my time on it since it's blistering hot down here in AZ. Currently on track to beat a record of 18 consecutive days above 110. I would usually go out to work in the garage in the mornings and call it quits when the garage temps reached over 100. Here's a couple of notes from the job.
Wasted about an hour trying to figure out how to pull the Lexus grill off. There's 1 center screw, 2 side plastic push clips and a bit of rubber trim that needs to pop out on the top sides. After that, yank HARD.
After that, I was able to get the condenser out in about 2 hours. You have to remove the front support brace that's attached to the bumper. Remove the condenser fan and all of the bolts around the center core support. There's a a wiring loom that goes through it so I wasn't able to squeeze the condenser up and out without removing the top radiator bolts and pushing the radiator back. Even then, I had to remove the 2 top brackets on the condenser to get it to squeeze out.
With the compressor, there is ample access to all the bolts holding it to the engine and the 2 bolts for the AC hard lines after the driver side tire is removed. I also removed the battery during this job so I could put a trickle charger on it, so when I removed the compressor I grabbed it through the top with no issues. I put the new compressor in through the driver side cavity. So either way works with enough room. Removal took about 2 hours. Most of that time was trying to get at it from the top side until I realized the driver side wheel would expose more room to work.
Everything went back in, in less than an hour. After reassembly, I immediately pulled a vacuum. I left it for about 30 minutes to verify vacuum was holding and then ran the vacuum for another 45 minutes to get rid of all the moisture. I had 1 left over can of refrigerant that probably had about 1-3 ounces left that went into the system as well as 3 x 12 oz cans. Pressures look good and glad to report back that she's blowing super cold again. It's only been since yesterday that I finished, but I don't have that jetson's/chitty chitty bang bang sound anymore either. Must have been the old compressor making weird noises. Thanks to everyone for the help.
Wasted about an hour trying to figure out how to pull the Lexus grill off. There's 1 center screw, 2 side plastic push clips and a bit of rubber trim that needs to pop out on the top sides. After that, yank HARD.
After that, I was able to get the condenser out in about 2 hours. You have to remove the front support brace that's attached to the bumper. Remove the condenser fan and all of the bolts around the center core support. There's a a wiring loom that goes through it so I wasn't able to squeeze the condenser up and out without removing the top radiator bolts and pushing the radiator back. Even then, I had to remove the 2 top brackets on the condenser to get it to squeeze out.
With the compressor, there is ample access to all the bolts holding it to the engine and the 2 bolts for the AC hard lines after the driver side tire is removed. I also removed the battery during this job so I could put a trickle charger on it, so when I removed the compressor I grabbed it through the top with no issues. I put the new compressor in through the driver side cavity. So either way works with enough room. Removal took about 2 hours. Most of that time was trying to get at it from the top side until I realized the driver side wheel would expose more room to work.
Everything went back in, in less than an hour. After reassembly, I immediately pulled a vacuum. I left it for about 30 minutes to verify vacuum was holding and then ran the vacuum for another 45 minutes to get rid of all the moisture. I had 1 left over can of refrigerant that probably had about 1-3 ounces left that went into the system as well as 3 x 12 oz cans. Pressures look good and glad to report back that she's blowing super cold again. It's only been since yesterday that I finished, but I don't have that jetson's/chitty chitty bang bang sound anymore either. Must have been the old compressor making weird noises. Thanks to everyone for the help.
bloc
SILVER Star
Good stuff, thanks for the detailed post.
Over the years I’ve moved to adding refrigerant by specified mass over going by pressures. I use a digital scale to weigh the cylinder and tap before filling then again after to dial things in. Done this way I’ve never had to adjust volume later. But, part of why I do this is I don’t have a ton of experience to master the “art” of going by pressures alone.
