Technical DIY 2005 Stilo JTD115 Condenser Replacement?

[havfunky]

Hi guys,

I've been having air con leakage problems with my late 2005 (phase 2) fiat stilo JTD 115. So far i've spent probably around £400 on replacing pipes and seals, several re-gasses, UV dye, etc, at a car garage. Yet it still cannot hold a charge overnight.

The guy at the garage has said that the only place he can find a leak now is from the inlet or outlet (cant remember which) of the condenser and that the whole unit would have to be replaced.

The garage has quoted £345 inc vat to do the work. This seems like a lot - given i've already spent over £400 just to get to this point!! :-s

Is this something i could do myself and just get them to re-gas it after (£50)? Or does it need specialist equipment?

I have a friend who is a mechanic but has never touched AC before so is a little dubious about helping.

So i have two questions - how difficult would this be and where would be the best place to get a new condenser? Apparently my stilo has the receiver drier built into the condenser.

Thanks for any help!

Sef

 

[Davren]

The condenser complete with the drier comes out from underneath the front of the car. You will need to jack the car up high enough to lower it out.

A new condenser is usually supplied complete with a new drier so you won't need to remove it from the condenser.
.

 

[havfunky]

Ah cool, do you know where i could get one from at a good price? Like i said- i've spend loads on the AC already so want to get it done as cheaply as possible now - although a reasonable level of quality would be good!

When removing the pipes from the condenser do i need to replace any washers? If so, do you know where i'd be able to get these?

Thanks for the detailed reply!

Sef

 

[Davren]

I could search eBay and motor factors around north London for you, but then I guess you could do that yourself.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Just in case it might be this - my air con servicer tells me every union in the a/c system has an o-ring on the joint. And these often perish. As you said you leak was from the inlet or outlet, this might be worth checking beofre you replace the condenser. Not heard anyone who's had a condenser fail before...

 

[havfunky]

yeah, it does see strange, although when i bought the car a few months back it has clearly had a minor shunt in the front bumper so perhaps something cracked?!

The guy at the garage did show me with the UV glasses/light the dye marks on the pipe but because of the tight space i couldn't tell if it was the pipe or the condenser that had the leak. He insisted that it would have been the condenser as he remove some stuff when doing a detailed search for leaks on the AC system, and saw that it was coming from it (condenser) rather than the pipe. He seemed genuine enough, but who knows?! :-s

Maybe i should just try and whip it out and have a look first? Not got UV light or glasses though so probably wouldn't see didily squat! :-s