Well I had some free time today so I thought I would put my tranny cooler on. I was having so much fun in the Las Vegas heat I thought I would add another project to my list so as I was drilling a hole I stabbed the drill bit through my ac condenser . Is there any way I can get around not replacing the hole thing ( I know im going to have to but im just hoping there will be a easy fix)

 

Your gonna have to get a new one. Was there any oil or leaking when you stabbed it?

 

Thats what I thought, ya it was leaking.

 

The A/C operates at a pretty high pressure so you can't just slop solder on a leak like you can on a radiator. You should put a dab of silicone over the hole to keep any moisture from getting in the system. Of course, do no operate the A/C when it is discharged and get it repaired promptly cause the internals tend to corrode when not under pressure and not operated.

 

Allthough it may be expensive, it should be fairly easy to fix. If you sawp out condensors yourself, be sure to get your system completely drained before you start. The refridgreant oil can really irritate your eyes if you get any of it near them. Second, if the new condensor doesn't come with the little O rings that go on either end of the alluminum connection points, keep the old ones. You'll have to reuse these, but they should still be in good condtion. Be sure to have these seated correctly so they won't bind or crimp as you install the condensor. This will surely cause a leak and waste all the cash you just spent getting your system charged back up again.

 

He will still need to have the system evacuated for at least 30 minutes to rid the moisture and air that has entered from the hole itself. Moisture/air in the system both hurts the compressor as well as reduces cooling.

 

Ouch......thats a kick in the a$$

 

Bumer dood! I had a brother in law take a razor knife to the rope holding the neighbors hood "no grill" shut on his Toyota, it didn't work out so well either.

 

All the "Good" shops hook up a vacumm machine on your lines for 30-60 mins to pull all the moisture out before they charge the system with refridgerant again. Its alwasy better to kill an hour reading the latest issue of Car and Driver in the waiting area and watch to make sure they take all the neccesary steps.

 

I called one of the local toyota dealers and they want $300+ for the condensor. I would like to go w/ the factory parts but is there a up side or down side to getting a aftermarket one?

 

I found a new Denso condenser on a car parts website for $150, isn't Denso the stuff the dealers carry?

 

Not sure about the condensor, but alot of parts are Denso. I would feel comfortable buying the Denso one. The money you save could pay for the recharge of the system.

 

Ideally you'd want to evacuate up to an hour, but most shops like mine has only 1 AC machine and in the summer it gets passed around like a fruit cake at Christmas time. I personally on my AC jobs will not evacuate for less than 30 minutes just to avoid any "comebacks" and to do my job honestly. Other techs may do it in less time but I'm the one that has yet to see an AC job return due to something I did wrong.
As far as the condensor... maybe call your Toyota dealer and ask what brand it it. If it's denso, then ask for a partnumber and go to looking at aftermarket options with the part number.

 

Sounds to me you should buy Ironmike a case of beer and have him "borrow" the shop machine!

 

Hmm.... now that's an idea!

 

I would but it wouldnt do me any good in Nevada.

 

Hopper, I have a condensor from an '02 Taco available. Used, but in good shape. PM me, if that might help you.

 

I wish I would have seen this earlier, just bought one locally. Thanks for the offer though!

 

Sent PM. Deal fell through.