Replacing 08 (3.4) Condensor?

Guys/Gals,

Excuse my ignorance as I am new to this forum and the Equinox. My father in-law needs help replacing his A/C condenser as we found a leak in the front of it the other day. System won't hold 134a and ran some dye to find the leak right in the middle/bottom of the front of the condensor. Have a new one on the way and will be installing it this weekend and then pulling a vac and recharging the system. Couple of questions:

1) I have done several A/C's so I'm not new to them just to this design. It looks as if the Accum/Dryer is built into the Condenser, how do you add PAG oil to the Accumulator as you do prior to install on most systems? Also, how much pag oil and what type does the whole system hold? I'll be adding just a little as the compressor is staying.

2) How do you get this thing out? Remove the whole front bumper/facia? Most that I have done lift out the top when you remove the radiator shroud, however this one is recessed under the upperframe rail.

Any insight is much appreciated and thanks for your help.

Dave

I could be wrong but I thought all condensors came from the factory pre oiled?

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dietz4ibanez said:

I could be wrong but I thought all condensors came from the factory pre oiled?

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Don't think so? The general rule of thumb, when replacing a major part of the A/C system is add some oil as the majority is kept in the Accumulator/Dryer and Compressor. Now this is my first Condensor - Accumulator combo so I am not exactly sure on this one. What PAG oil does this system take as well - PAG46 and do you know the max capacity of oil in the system? Thanks again.

Dude this is beyond me but I am wondering if auto zone would have the oil capacities.

I gotta do some research for you but I would look up ac parts on www.gmpartsdirect.com

Sometimes they provide a detailed blue print of assembly. They may not provide fluid capacities but I think it may help you along.

I will look later when I get home. Just thought I would throw that at you if you had time to check it out.

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dietz4ibanez said:

Dude this is beyond me but I am wondering if auto zone would have the oil capacities.

I gotta do some research for you but I would look up ac parts on www.gmpartsdirect.com

Sometimes they provide a detailed blue print of assembly. They may not provide fluid capacities but I think it may help you along.

I will look later when I get home. Just thought I would throw that at you if you had time to check it out.

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Click to expand...

Thanks man, I know Advance or AZ will have the numbers, so I'll swing by. Just hoping someone here had experience working on this AC system first hand. I have the condenser arriving today.

Let me know if this help you at all?

dietz4ibanez said:

Let me know if this help you at all?

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Unfortunately, no, but thank you. I don't think this is an 08 condensor/AC system as the 08 has the Dryer/Accumulator built on the condenser (silver cylinder attached) look at this: (it's a strange design).

Meaning you have to replace the whole thing?

That's jacked up... It looks like the one in my photos is the same condenser and it also looks like it is made for the accumulator to be attached.

Have removed the condenser as of yet?

dietz4ibanez said:

Meaning you have to replace the whole thing?

That's jacked up... It looks like the one in my photos is the same condenser and it also looks like it is made for the accumulator to be attached.

Have removed the condenser as of yet?

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Yup, replaced it a few weekends back. Very simple, just have to remove the entire front bumper, not hard just a lot of screws and clips. Found a new ACDelco Condensor on ebay for $220 shipped. The accumulator actually can be replaced separately and mounts vertically to the condensor.

System is working flawlessly now and ice cold AC.

Dave00 said:

Yup, replaced it a few weekends back. Very simple, just have to remove the entire front bumper, not hard just a lot of screws and clips. Found a new ACDelco Condensor on ebay for $220 shipped. The accumulator actually can be replaced separately and mounts vertically to the condensor.

System is working flawlessly now and ice cold AC.

Click to expand...

Now that's what I want to hear! Good work..

Any chance you could do a build thread? Did you take any photos?