Denso aftermarket AC condenser not quite right

[Kernal]

Just received a Denso AC condenser from RockAuto; great price (~$76) but a few problems. The most obvious is that it is bowed forward looking at it left to right ie: bowed out facing toward the front of the vehicle; the original is not bowed. Haven't tried to mount it but I think it might bang into the hood latch bracket just in front of the condenser. The curve is symetrical as if it were made that way however it also has a slight but obvious acute bend on the left side looking at it from top to bottom right where the pressure union is located.

The distance between the mounting posts also does not match with the OEM condenser. I measured ~25 inches between the posts for the original condenser, but the Denso replacement I'm looking at measures ~25 1/4", so it probably wouldn't fit into the mounting holes.

Also noticed one less line of cooling fins across the bottom and some missing foam pieces that are attached to the Toyota condenser, and it did not come with the mounting cushions for the bottom posts. You have to reuse the mounting brackets and cushions from the old part. FWIW. Will post up photos later.

 

[landtank]

I've used several and they have matched up perfectly.

 

[Kernal]

Landtank: did you notice if the condensers you've installed were flat (straight) left to right, top to bottom? This one has been tweaked at some point, and made in Taiwan.

 

[landtank]

same number and made in Taiwan. just not bent. When you pull the plugs out you should hear a release of air. That way you know the core is good.

 

[Kernal]

Thanks for the tip on removing the plugs however I'll probably return this one due to the bends side to side and top to bottom, maybe why the mounting post distance doesn't match up with the OEM part??

Off topic a bit but in the last week I've gotten two parts from Rockauto which were damaged (this condenser and a Denso compressor with a dented pulley), and then a dented Denso evaporator core from Jegs. All had been shipped via FedEx Ground. Can't remember when I last had to return something for shipping damage, now three times in one week. In the past most everything I've received was shipped via UPS, so it makes me wonder whether FedEx Ground is having problems?? FWIW.

 

[landtank]

I think that the last leg of FedEx ground is a contract courier service.

 

[Hornd]

I put the exact same one from Denso from Rock Auto in my truck and it fit perfect and was not bowed. Sucked air when I released plug like it had about a 100lb vacuum.
I cleaned my Evap core and replaced expansion valve why I was at it. Had about a baseball sized amount of junk in it. Cleaned it with Carb cleaner and let dry overnight.

Did you get a new Dryer from Rock while you were at it? Change it thru the right marker light.
I did a part a night and had filled (filled into vacuum) on the 4th day and man it works like a champ now.
Total investment was about $300 but should last as long as I have it.
It had aftermarket condenser with hole in it is why I replaced.

 

[Hornd]

I tried that Leffe Beer lately and man it's tastey (like dessert) but also spendy too (Belgian).

 

[94SRUNNER]

Kernal, I'm a little late to the thread. So FWIW, I just yesterday received the Denso 477-0554 condenser from Coolstream and mine does not have that bend.

 

[Kernal]

The two damaged RockAuto parts I recently received came from their warehouse in Ohio, where did your condensers come from?

 

[landtank]

I tried that Leffe Beer lately and man it's tastey (like dessert) but also spendy too (Belgian).

I was on a job down in NJ with a colleague a few weeks ago. We went out to dinner at a Miller's ale house. They had Leffe Blonde on tap. As soon as I saw that I just handed him my keys.

 

[94SRUNNER]

I ordered them from Jorge at Coolstream (Mud vendor) and he is in Tucson, AZ. I am fairly certain he ships from his shop in AZ.

 

[Kernal]

Thanks