My car has over 120k on it. My a/c decided to spring a leak. After replacing the compressor and dryer with new units the leak was still there. So, I pulled out the condenser and evaporator to test them. I could not believe how much dirt the condenser had in it, so I pressure washed it clean. After fixing the leak in the evap. I reinstalled and recharged the a/c and took the car out for a test drive. I noticed that my coolant temp was down about 20 degrees.

I just thought I'd pass my results to you guys/girls.

Scott

 

I noticed a ton of junk trapped in the a/c condensor when I did my cam swap. I tapped on it and vacuumed a bunch and still don't think I got all the junk out.

 

Where is this located?,and how do I get to this by popping the hood?My air works ok,but colder is better I think.Please post.

 

Remove the radiator hold down cover. There are 3 bolts. Here's a picture of my car. I painted my cover orange yours will be black.

http://performanceworks1.com/images/blower2.jpg

The dirt in the cooling fins will be hard to see because it's still mounted in the car. My a/c wasn't working anyway and the system had to be recharged so, I removed it. If you remove yours you'll have to have your system vacuumed to remove all the air out and then recharged.

Remember I said that MY COOLANT TEMP was lowered not my a/c, because the fins were clogged, which prevents the air getting thru the condenser to the radiator, but the a/c should get cooler as well.

 

Last spring I noticed my condenser had a TON of junk in the fins. I don't have an air compressor at home, but I drove it to a mechanic who did and I blew out the fins as best I could. My coolant temp on track also dropped. This spring I went ahead and yanked my A/C and heater system and changed out my coolant for water/Redline Water Wetter. Now even on track my coolant doesn't get over 210 deg. on a 75 deg. day. We'll see what it does in August.

 

Many thanks

 

This is something EVERYONE should do at 100,000 miles!!!

 

Blackdog, is that a 'stang horse on your orange cover??

LOL

 

yeah whats up with that?

 

engine still looks very clean, good job

 

i am still not sure what the condensor looks like or where its located? anything else need to be cleaned while your there? thanks

 

http://csce.uark.edu/~jgbertr/rb/ac_system.jpg

The condenser is #1 in the picture. It's in front of your radiator. If you get under your car and look up right behind the front fascia you'll see it.

While you're at Shoebox's site, take a browse around. There's a lot of good information there.

 

thanks, that pic helped a lot. yes, shoeboxs site is awesome. so, the best way to clean this thing is how? vacuuming and such? thanks once again

 

You won't be able to vacuum out things embedded in the fins. It will take an air compressor or possibly removing your condenser and using a pressure washer. An air compressor is obviously easier. Don't use a pressure washer on it in the car if you have a LT1! (Optispark)

 

Boy, you guys don't miss anything do ya. LOL....
Yes, it's a Mustang. Click on the link below to see why I have it under my hood.

http://performanceworks1.com/images/Mustang%20kills.JPG