mxdw88

Hey guys, I searched the form and couldn't find anything definitive on this so if it has been covered forgive me.
But yesterday I was installing a winch on my '87 4runner and had to trim the grill to get the solenoid to fit and stupid me I punctured the a/c precooler. I looked online and it seems like most replacement units don't come with precoolers. My question is, is there a way I can bypass the precooler since the actual condenser isn't damaged and not have to buy any new parts?
-thanks
Tim

abecedarian

The 4Runners had two condenser options. One was simply called the condenser and the other was one which had a secondary, smaller condenser installed ahead of the first and often refered to as the "supercool" condenser.

It sounds like your's had the supercool option so, no... it can't be simply bypassed. The piping is different between the two, and the "precooler" as you put it has its connections to the other condenser brazed.

mxdw88

Ok guess I'm in for both the supercool and the condenser! Checked online and seems like you can get one for less than $200 though so not too bad. It being almost sept. though prob won't worry about fixing it till next spring anyways! Thanks for the info!

sbagdon

So basically, you're saying there's a dual-condensor option?

Is the extra (perceived?) cooling worth the complexity?

mxdw88

Prob not, it's not any cooler than any other vehicle, I know it's over 25 years old but still! Lol

abecedarian

Umm, okay.

I can't imagine the stock pickup a/c system blowing cold enough to make the back seat comfortable.

mxdw88

Yeah but I never sit in the back of my 4runner either an no one usually rides back there, so I'm not sure how cool it gets in back thee now. I also converted it from r-12 which I hear ran a bit cooler than the 134a stuff now.

mxdw88

Will it hurt any thing to leave the system as is, until next spring and then go about fixing it?

Discombobulated

If you have the money and you know you will need it next year just fix it now, I have heard the system can get contaminated but not 100 % on that I'm sure someone will chime in on that but its on the mind now so why not just get the fix over with? So that first hot day, well it's still fricken hot now but you won't be saying Dangit I should have just done it last year

mxdw88

Yeah it's def. more of a money issue than just not wanting to do it! Spent all my extra $$ on the winch! but if its gonna wreck the system I'd rather just do it ASAP, otherwise I'll just wait.

Discombobulated

Like I said not sure if this puncture will hurt the system, If your not good on flow I would wait, not totally sure if this would cause other problems leaving the system open I guess you could say. I guess it would be kinda like having a leak and then fixing a couple years later like some owners have done. Anyone else wanna chime in, I mean how big is this spot you cut into??

Motox711

The only thing you have to worry about is moisture in the system. now that the system has leaked out. you'll probably need to vacuum it out you can rent the stuff from Autozone. make sure you replace the a/c receiver/dryer while your are at it. they're pretty cheap. I know this because when i bought my 4runner the POS PO had taken all the A/C parts out thinking it would save gas is what he told me. I found out that the compressor clutch was locked up, ended up finding one at the junk yard and redoing all the a/c stuff to 134a.

mxdw88

Yeah the hole is not that big I just nicked it with the rotary saw (idiot!) so I'm thinking maybe I can just seal it with some silicone for now. But thanks for the advice about the dryer as well. If my financial situation changes before spring I'll do everything ASAP.

mxdw88

Got all the parts and everything put back together last week! Glad to say A/c is running great and blowing cold as Ice. I had a time finding the condenser though and thus had to order one straight from a denso dealer to the tune of $200 bucks! I got a denso dryer as well. But all in all I feel better having the OEM parts on their anyways. Thanks for all the replies and help!