AC Condenser Flush (1 Viewer)

[62LostInMn]

1988 FJ62

I'm replaceing the AC compressor and would like to flush the condenser without removing it since the in/out connections are good and show no signs of leaking. But I'm curious about which style these condensers are - parallel or serpentine. The inlet and outlet are on opposites sides, but are in the middle of the unit. If it's a serpentine flow, I think doing it in place would work fine. If it's parallel, not so well.

Does anybody know which style these are?

 

[Cnut]

No idea, but I can say that I just flushed the condenser on my ‘88 FJ62 when doing the same project. I spent some time with compressed air getting all of the flush mix out afterward. Of course, make sure you pull a vacuum on the whole system for an hour after it’s back together to make sure remaining moisture is out of the system.

 

[62LostInMn]

Thanks Cnut

Did you flush it while it was still in the vehicle and through the attached lines? Much junk come out?

Once back together I'll vacuum the system, check that it holds vacuum and then fill with R12 since I have plenty. My biggest thing is to find and remove the residual oil. When I went to dump out the oil from the old compressor and measure it, none came out... I'm sure some was lost during recovery of the old refrigerant, but I would have expected some to remain in the compressor.

 

[Cnut]

Yes - while it was still in the truck. It wasn’t any worse than the other lines/components. I ended up using two (20oz?) cans to flush everything. Per directions on the can, I did not flush the compressor or expansion valve (which I was replacing anyway). If you flush the evaporator, rotate it side to side to get the flush mix out. I originally just tried compressed air, thought I had it cleaned and picked it up, tilted it and a bunch of mix came out.

I had a recent thread on oil quantity if flushing lines and components. Total system quantity is 7.75oz. Your new compressor will likely be shipped with some already added. Be sure to measure the right amount. Since I converted to R134A, I drained the new compressor and added 7oz. The drier called for 0.7oz. Also be sure to rotate the head of the new compressor 10ish times in each direction before closing it up. Good luck! I wish I had a supply of R12. I wouldn’t have converted.

 

[red66toy]

Should be a serpentine flow. The parallel flow condensers didn't come out until later LCs.