AC condenser removal (1 Viewer)

[cederholm]

My AC doesn't work and my AC condenser is coming apart. Can I run without the radiator or do I run the risk of my compressor seizing without refrigerant inside? Does the refrigerant need to be purged before removing hoses?

Thanks!

 

[OSS]

The radiator works a lot better when the AC condenser is removed. The condenser blocks a lot of the air flowing towards the radiator. Just try to look through the old condenser fins. You can barely see through it.

I removed my AC condenser long ago cuz I never used AC in 20 years and it was all corroded & cruddy. Glad I got rid of it. Tossed it in a dumpster.

The compressor can then be used as an air compressor to fill tires. That’s what I did. It’s really really fast. Faster than any electric pump.
The compressor needs to be oiled though. I used a pneumatic tool oiler. Worked fine.

YES— the ac system must be de-pressurized before turning any fitting. Super important. Absolutely wear eye protection before messing with a pressurized system.

 

[4runner2FJ60]

@OSS has all very good advice. I should have done what he did, instead of restoring my AC completely, that I have used maybe 3 times! It does blow ice cold though.

 

[cps432]

Yeah defiantly don’t mess around with the pressure unless you have the correct equipment. It’s quite worrisome when it starts shooting freon all over the front of your house. Twice. A year apart.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

My AC doesn't work and my AC condenser is coming apart. Can I run without the radiator or do I run the risk of my compressor seizing without refrigerant inside? Does the refrigerant need to be purged before removing hoses?

Thanks!

If I understand your question, you are asking if you can run the compressor without the condenser being in place. If you open the system, you should not run the compressor. Luckily, Toyota has engineered the system to stop you doing so - with no pressure in the system, the pressure switch will isolate the circuit to the compressor clutch to prevent damage. The compressor is liable to seize if it is operated without refrigerant (as the refrigerant carries the lubricant oil). If you want to restore the system, don't leave it open to the atmosphere for long as you won't want moisture getting in.

 

[cederholm]

The radiator works a lot better when the AC condenser is removed. The condenser blocks a lot of the air flowing towards the radiator. Just try to look through the old condenser fins. You can barely see through it.

I removed my AC condenser long ago cuz I never used AC in 20 years and it was all corroded & cruddy. Glad I got rid of it. Tossed it in a dumpster.

The compressor can then be used as an air compressor to fill tires. That’s what I did. It’s really really fast. Faster than any electric pump.
The compressor needs to be oiled though. I used a pneumatic tool oiler. Worked fine.

YES— the ac system must be de-pressurized before turning any fitting. Super important. Absolutely wear eye protection before messing with a pressurized system.

Super helpful! Where can I learn more about converting the compressor into an air compressor?

 

[OSS]

Super helpful! Where can I learn more about converting the compressor into an air compressor?

The link below describes how I did mine. I was Output Shaft in another life.

Dealer installed york ac compressor

Hello ya'll. Long time lurker first time poster. First of all this forum is such a wealth of info, the search feature is most likely the reason I have not yet posted. I have found all that I needed to know there. However this time I could not find what I was searching for. This all started with...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[garfieldthecat]

I have a York compressor for sale if you want to go that route:

For Sale - LA South Bay: Air compressor and bracket

Air compressor and brackets for mounting to 2F. Asking $200

forum.ih8mud.com