Thread: AC condenser testing?

Hey, summers coming up, I'm looking to get my AC re charged, last year I went to do this, he said its likely the condenser has a tonnes of bent fins. My mechanic said its likely that but he was unsure, it could also be the ac coil in the dash, or how ever the cool air exchanges into the system,
My question, is there a way to test ur condenser? Other then the ac leak test? Or am I best replacing the condenser with a used one $50 and then trying it again?

If you told us what the issue was, we could probably help you better.

A cheap fine tooth comb, stool and an hour can fix a lot of bent fins on a condensor. Typically a condensor doesn't go bad, it'll have bent fins or leak. That's the most that typically occurs.

A clogged orifice tube can cause poor performance.

The evaporator core (in dash) usually doesn't cause any issues either)

sorry, i have absolutly no ac, we did a leak down test and it showed a slow leak, but we couldnt hear where it was coming from, this was last year, i have some money now and was thinking if getting it fixed. My condenser has one corner that is crushed, all fins are flat..... im thinking theres my leak? but other then replacing it and trying a leak down test again i cant think of another way? all in all im trying to find a leak, replace leaky part and then get it recharged, a local wrecker has better looking condensers for $50

charge the system and put dye in it to find the leak.

check all connections, mostlikely ac compressor.

bill doesnt wbodys use a reciever dryer system? no orifice tube

Do an evac and recharge with some dye in it, then check over everything with a black light to find the leak, just hope it's the condensor. That's probably the cheapest component you could replace besides the dryer, which rarely are bad.

fingers crossed for compresser thanks guys

theyre easy to replace if that is what it is