Technical Air conditioning condenser

[WitleyPanda]

Front air conditioning condenser/heat exchanger has lost a lot of the fins, or blocked by entomology specimens. Seem lots of potential suppliers, any recommendations?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Denso's OE I believe, mine was c£40 and a bit a couple of years ago. Is fine, no issues, but another 10 years will probably see me sweeping up the fins again

 

[jrkitching]

My OEM condenser on a brand new car had lost about 75% of its fins after four years, but A/C performance wasn't much affected. Surprisingly, it's still not leaking after 15 years.

I wouldn't bother changing the condenser unless there is another problem in addition to the missing fins.

 

[AB100]

My OEM condenser on a brand new car had lost about 75% of its fins after four years, but A/C performance wasn't much affected. It's still not leaking after 15 years.

I wouldn't bother changing the condenser unless there is another problem in addition to the missing fins.

Snap. Still works fine despite being balder than a chimp's ass.

 

[WitleyPanda]

Snap. Still works fine despite being balder than a chimp's ass.

More worried by air blockage to main coolant radiator, particularly in the recent higher temperatures. Not concerned directly if a/c working, windows work .
Been starting to lose coolant, O ring on thermostat housing given up. The temperature guage not shown an issue, but the lack of airflow cannot help. Whilst the gearbox and clutch, hence battery, tray etc all out the way, was easier to change the housing.

 

[jrkitching]

More worried by air blockage to main coolant radiator, particularly in the recent higher temperatures. Not concerned directly if a/c working, windows work

If it's already lost all of its gas, and you're not bothered about having A/C, you could just remove the condenser to improve airflow through the coolant radiator.

Like yourself, I wouldn't spend any money replacing A/C parts on a Panda of that age and mileage.

 

[WitleyPanda]

If it's already lost all of its gas, and you're not bothered about having A/C, you could just remove the condenser to improve airflow through the coolant radiator.

Like yourself, I wouldn't spend any money replacing A/C parts on a Panda of that age and mileage.

Age and mileage, cheek! It the youngest in the fleet, all be it not the lowest miles. Expect 300K miles and/or a 30 year life. Both 90s nearly 40 years and still going. The everyday tractor only 67 years old and thinking of retirement, cause implements getting heavier. Pity the consumable age and the lack of basic skills to keep kit useful.