A/C

Hey there guys,
Quick question, the a/c condenser. If I have a small leak where Freon is slowing escaping due to a small crack or tiny hole. Going the cheaper route, can I use an epoxy sealant or loctite sealant of something kind instead of going the more expensive way of buying a new one. $1,600 buck @ Toyota.

 

Take it somewhere else. I paid less than $100.00 for a condenser, part only.

 

No. External epoxy will not hold for long. Internal 'fix a leak' stuff will screw up the entire system. Get a new condenser from Rock Auto or the like and have an indie shop install it.

 

I’m going to have to go with the rest of the guys.
I say fix it right, the first time.
A/C band-aid fixes don’t usually work, and cause future headaches.

 

There is a denso AC condenser on Amazon for $82. From there I would purchase a seal kit so you can install new seals. Make sure you get some AC oil, look up which ever is on the sticker under the hood. You don't want to put the O rings in dry. Anyway before you take apart the system take it to a shop have them evac the system, bring it home and install the condenser, go back to the shop and have them charge it with r134a. Good to go and should be much cheaper than $1600. The dealer is trying to bend you over backwards for that price. For reference my Toyota dealer replaced my ac compressor w/ clutch, condenser, and expansion valve for $2,149.50 (Parts + Labor). Of course it was warranty work so that may have affected the price on the invoice they gave me.

 

I'll nitpic a bit
The AC is likely empty or nearly so if there is a leak, so no need to have the freon recovered at a shop.
A drop of any clean oil will lube the new O-rings. It won't get in the system so no need to buy refrigerant oil. Yes I know all the books say use refrigerant oil.
Condenser installed, get the truck to a shop ASAP and have it evacuated and recharged. Reason for ASAP is there is now air and moisture vapor in the system, which will permeate the oil and the desiccant in the receiver drier.

 

no complaints with your nitpic! Solid advice better said than I could have. I did not know that about the o rings, which would have been nice to know about 3 months ago when I replaced my subarus condenser. Didn't have oil so I tried to just send it, lo and behold it wasn't holding vac perfectly so I got oil and redid the seals and then she was good to go.

 

They all like lube.

 

Thank ya guys for responding and all the info provided. Love my taco world brotha’s