New AC condenser replacement tips?

Thanks guys. I'll check my local auto supply store, but it's honestly not very likely to have it. I've had no issues with RockAuto before but given the way these are made, there seems to be an increased possibility of damage in shipping. The big issue, however, is 6 Gear noticed no real damage to the packaging, which suggests that maybe Denso quality dropped.

 

Your pretty quick to suggest Denso quality has dropped because one guy on the internet had a bad experience. Maybe the guy that loads the delivery truck is to blame.

 

That's why I was asking for others with recent experience. Up until 6 Gear, there seemed to be no issues but not much has been said since his posts. Given what's happening with supply chains, it's not unreasonable to be concerned about potential QC issues. That's why I asked if anyone had a better experience with their Denso Condenser around the same time as 6 Gear, or more recently.

As you say though, delivery drivers can be rough and have recently experienced poor handling, abysmal customer serce etc. from each DHL, UPS and Fedex. It would just be a bummer to take delivery and have no signs of damage when receiving, only to see a bent condenser when opening the package and have to organize to send it back. Hoping to avoid that.

 

I know, this is old. I need to replace the ac line from condenser to firewall. should I replace ac condenser also since the drier is built in?

 

I need to replace this one on mine. Haven’t got around to it yet

 

good to know, but doesnt answer my ??

 

I wouldn’t unless there is a known issue with yours. The less to mess with the better with AC systems.

 

my ac line sprung a leak. someone said moisture may have gotten inside so I should change the receiver/drier which is attached to ac condenser, I would rather not but

 

if you’ve been running with it not sealed then yes I’d replace it. A chance the dryer is full of moisture at this point. If you are breaking into the system it’s not that hard to change the condenser it’s only one more connection and a new oring. Add some PAG oil back in and you’re good to go.

 

If you're going to expose your AC system to open air, after getting it vacuumed (replace parts) I'd suggest ALWAYS changing the receiver dryer especially if it's older. I just replaced my entire AC system, the only part I didn't replace was my condenser. Be smart as to how you install the reciever dryer as well, (in your case the condenser with reciever) as to not introduce open atmosphere with a lot of moisture; i.e. don't do it on a wet or foggy day and be quick about pulling vacuum immediately after.

I replaced all the gaskets, expansion valve, compressor, evaporator and ac reciever dryer. The dryer as you know has dessicant that pull moisture out of your system. R134a boils below -1°F (~-24° I think) at regular atmospheric pressure and any additional moisture introduced to this system will result in ice or unexpected expansion gases that can puncture or clog things up and bust your gaskets. That's an even more expensive fix. It's a closed system, don't introduce anomalies.

AC reciever dryers were a pain in the to find when I rebuilt mine in 2021. I ordered 8 of them over 3 months and only 2 actually existed and made it to my house. I now have a spare for future fixes.

This is based off my experience with a 1st gen but it should cross over.

 

The dryer is inside the condenser.

 

My AC compressor was replaced about 5 years ago, old one was leaking at a flat gasket that seals the pump casing pieces together. Kind of a weird failure. The AC worked after replacing it but was never great. This was done by a third party mechanic who didn't replace anything else. Important to note that my pump was leaking/system was empty for a couple years before it was replaced. Makes me wish my mechanic knew enough to suggest replacing other parts with a system that was sort of open to the atmosphere for so long. I decided it needs to be improved so I am getting it evacuated and charged by Toyota tomorrow and hoping that fixes it. I feel like I don't trust that the previous mechanic did a good job refilling it. I only get 58 degrees while moving, and it quickly goes up sitting in traffic, to around 72+. I installed a cheap e fan that didn't seem to help. And I also notice that if I coast in neutral downhill that the temp will go up. So i think it is less of an airflow thing and more of an issue with whats going on inside my system.

 

Question for anyone that replaced their AC condenser with the one from RockAuto, hows it holding up? I had my OEM recently damaged from a rock and insurance is covering it but they only approved the cost of a replacement (Spectra Premium 7-30020) versus OEM. It'd cost me an additional $200 (on top of a $300 deductible) to go OEM, this includes 2 years of parts and labour warranty. I know it's typically recommended to go OEM but I'm not sure if it's worth it here... Thanks in advance!

 

My OEM started leaking from inside the fins. No rock, no dents just a slow leak. I replaced it with a $150 one from a manufacturer in Miami that sold a bunch on eBay. It has work flawlessly and came packaged really well.
It even looked better made than the OEM. There oem condensers are kind of like there oem stock tires as far as I’m concerned.

 

The OEM AC condenser for the second gen tacoma is uniquely expensive. I had no issues going with a Denso from RockAuto


https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinf...gXNBEiOD7YxV1NWA2upBXRYnXAFwU/fHW7UxMKxv0d9Rl

 

i had no issues with mine once I got one shipped to me that wasn’t bent lol. The one I installed a few years ago is still working flawlessly.

 

Ease of condenser replacement on 1-10 scale. Easy to difficult.