is it time to replace A/C condenser - RX7Club.com

RX7Club.com > Generation Specific > 3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) is it time to replace A/C condenser Sign in using an external account Register Forgot Password? Welcome to RX7Club.com, You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to start new topics, reply to conversations, privately message other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join RX7Club.com today! 03-19-12, 03:20 PM   #1 r074r'/ |\|00B   Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC, KS Posts: 727 is it time to replace A/C condenser Today I was working on getting some stuff done on my FD and I took notice of my a/c condenser & radiator. Since I've had my FD I've never seen the low temps that others say the get. For the record, I am running a koyo radiator and have lowered the fan temps a bit on my PFC to help when temps start getting above 90*. The previous owner did have it converted to 134a, I'm not quite sure what that means to the rest of my A/C parts. I am running the stock waterpump and thermostat. I've removed the AST and blocked the ast lines at the radiator and thermostat housing. Last spring I drained & filled the coolant with new. I didn't use the flush kit additive to help remove junk that might be stuck on the inside, but am considering doing that this year. When I was looking at my condenser this morning I saw some areas where the fins had been bent, so I can see that airflow in some spots has limited airflow to the radiator. In other spots were trapped bugs, rock pebbles, you name it. The entire condenser was not blocked, but I would estimate about 25% blockage. I am wondering if this is one of the causes of my higher temps, and if so to what degree. So now I might be over thinking things or just have wishful hoping that if I replace the condenser my temps will be lower. I could tr0y the cheaper route and see if a radiator shop could repair the fins & clean it out. Obviously I could just pull the a/c condenser and see what my coolant temps do, but I have to have A/C. My A/C does work pretty well, so I'm not sure if that tells me my condenser is flowing well enough. Has anyone else gone through this? What are your thoughts? Do I have something worth looking into or am I just grasping at straws to lower my temps? Or am I just paranoid about my coolant temps and I worry too much about everything. Thanks guys! __________________ 93 RX-7 VR Touring To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.   03-19-12, 05:46 PM   #2 Insane Burnout   Join Date: May 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 508 It would be good to straighten the fins, and get as much crud out of them as possible...if not for the coolant temps, then for the sake of the A/C itself. You can get a fin comb and straighten them yourself...or just use a screwdriver. It will be a pain in the ass. I don't think it'll do much for your coolant temps. If the air can't go through the condenser, it will just go around it.   03-19-12, 05:57 PM   #3 r074r'/ |\|00B   Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC, KS Posts: 727 I have a fin comb sized from 8 to 14 and I couldnt seem to find one that fit right.   03-19-12, 07:04 PM   #4 RX-7 Bad Ass     Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 7,917 I haven't seen condensor problems cause that much of a cooling problem before. What are your temps generally running? Big one that helps is blocking airflow around the radiator. This stuff - http://www.drillspot.com/products/56...r_sealant_tape Does a killer job of it. Expands HUGE to fill the space. Biggie is the fans running like they should. Also, make sure your thermostat is healthy. Dale __________________ | Dale Clark - RX-7 Bad-Ass | '94 RX-7 R2 Brillant Black - Building the Perfect FD | Go faster with stripes! DGRR 2012 - BEST and BIGGEST RX-7 event in the US! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.   03-19-12, 10:24 PM   #5 r074r'/ |\|00B   Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: KC, KS Posts: 727 Quote: Originally Posted by DaleClark What are your temps generally running? If the outside temp is 80* or higher my coolant temps will be around 93, just from highway cruising. If I get into boost it's higher. When it's 90* or higher outside my coolant temps are about 100-102. The sides of my rad were blocked pretty well, not perfectly though. Maybe some new foam would be helpful. Both fans run like they're supposed to. My thermostat was brand new last spring from Ray. __________________ 93 RX-7 VR Touring To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.   03-19-12, 10:24 PM RX7Club Mazda RX7 Paid Advertisement '); « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Thread Tools Search this Thread Show Printable Version Email this Page Display Modes Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:55 AM. All content Copyright © 2007 by Internet Brands, Inc.