Need help with A/C condenser removal on '90 S4

Ed Scherer · 07-25-2009, 01:57 AM

I'm in the middle of a complete A/C overhaul and am at a point where the condenser is disconnected. I'd like to remove it to flush it, but don't know how it's attached at the bottom. It's free at the top, but there are some kind of tabs at the bottom and I can't find where the bolts might be underneath to free those tabs. The diagrams I've got show the hardware and the tabs, but they don't show or indicate where the other side of the surface is that they bolt to.

The A/C section in the workshop manuals is a mess and doesn't really provide the answer to this question (at least that I can find).

If I can't get the damn thing removed, I'll just try to flush it in place, but it really seems like I'm just two fasteners away from getting the thing out.

Rob Edwards · 07-25-2009, 02:17 AM

Ask AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!!!!

It's a little bit more than two bolts. Pull the front spoiler and the oil cooler ducting to get to the lower condensor bolts. Not sure if the radiator needs to move, mine was out at the time.

I need to add some better keywords to the thread:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ight=condensor

Ed Scherer · 07-25-2009, 02:22 AM

Perfectamundo!

Thanks so much, Rob. I feared that it might be a lot more involved, as you've now confirmed.

"Condensor" didn't turn up in a search for "condenser removal".

Now I just need to decide whether or not it's worth getting all that crap off to get to those bolts.

Thanks big time for providing this information so quickly.

It's getting late here and I really wanted to get stuff disconnected as much as possible so tomorrow I can spend the day on compressor replacement, flushing, and resealing.

Rob Edwards · 07-25-2009, 02:29 AM

Oops. Will have to go do some speel cheking.

zoltan944 · 07-25-2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Edwards

Oops. Will have to go do some speel cheking.

Your avatar also needs to change to show some progression

Rob Edwards · 07-25-2009, 03:52 AM

[hijack] You're right, Sean- not much progress since 3PM Sunday...

Ed Scherer · 07-25-2009, 11:52 AM

FWIW, I succeeded in getting the condenser out last night. Thanks again for your help, Rob.

I'll also take this as an opportunity to get all the crud cleaned up that was between the radiator and the condenser now, too.

KenRudd · 07-25-2009, 01:33 PM

That is a shockingly clean engine/engine bay. Nice!

WallyP · 07-25-2009, 03:50 PM

"Flushing" the condensor/condenser might include more than removing metal particles and crud from a failed compressor...

I flushed the condensor from my XJS for four or five hours, and it made a real difference. The solvent was still coming out dirty after several quick flushes - the oil had apparently coked from the heat in the condensor. I set it up with a pump and pumped mineral spirits through it for several hours, and eventually got it clean.

The A/C system was more effective afterward.

Ed Scherer · 07-25-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WallyP

"Flushing" the condensor/condenser might include more than removing metal particles and crud from a failed compressor...

I flushed the condensor from my XJS for four or five hours, and it made a real difference. The solvent was still coming out dirty after several quick flushes - the oil had apparently coked from the heat in the condensor. I set it up with a pump and pumped mineral spirits through it for several hours, and eventually got it clean.

The A/C system was more effective afterward.

Thanks, Wally. I just got done pulling out the old compressor; I think I'm past the halfway point on this complete overhaul. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to put everything back together about twice as fast as I pulled it apart.

Haven't got to flushing things yet; I'll be curious what that reveals. I'm hoping to be able to just do quick flushes with some flush solvent I got at NAPA.

07-25-2009, 01:57 AM	#1
Ed Scherer Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS, USA Posts: 3,292	Need help with A/C condenser removal on '90 S4 I'm in the middle of a complete A/C overhaul and am at a point where the condenser is disconnected. I'd like to remove it to flush it, but don't know how it's attached at the bottom. It's free at the top, but there are some kind of tabs at the bottom and I can't find where the bolts might be underneath to free those tabs. The diagrams I've got show the hardware and the tabs, but they don't show or indicate where the other side of the surface is that they bolt to. The A/C section in the workshop manuals is a mess and doesn't really provide the answer to this question (at least that I can find). If I can't get the damn thing removed, I'll just try to flush it in place, but it really seems like I'm just two fasteners away from getting the thing out. __________________ '90 928S4 black/black

07-25-2009, 02:17 AM	#2
Rob Edwards Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,817	Ask AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!!!! It's a little bit more than two bolts. Pull the front spoiler and the oil cooler ducting to get to the lower condensor bolts. Not sure if the radiator needs to move, mine was out at the time. I need to add some better keywords to the thread: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ight=condensor __________________ 1990 928GT #278, Black/Black, C03 048 418 474 498 538 570 850 691 935 980 112K miles 1993 928GTS 5-speed, Midnight Blue/Light Gray, C02 139 340 418 474 570 586 650 691 980 XD4 XGB65L 100K miles "If you wish to lead a joyous life, you should always spend 10% more than you earn." - Jeremy Clarkson

07-25-2009, 02:22 AM	#3
Ed Scherer Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS, USA Posts: 3,292	Perfectamundo! Thanks so much, Rob. I feared that it might be a lot more involved, as you've now confirmed. "Condensor" didn't turn up in a search for "condenser removal". Now I just need to decide whether or not it's worth getting all that crap off to get to those bolts. Thanks big time for providing this information so quickly. It's getting late here and I really wanted to get stuff disconnected as much as possible so tomorrow I can spend the day on compressor replacement, flushing, and resealing. __________________ '90 928S4 black/black

07-25-2009, 02:29 AM	#4
Rob Edwards Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,817	Oops. Will have to go do some speel cheking. __________________ 1990 928GT #278, Black/Black, C03 048 418 474 498 538 570 850 691 935 980 112K miles 1993 928GTS 5-speed, Midnight Blue/Light Gray, C02 139 340 418 474 570 586 650 691 980 XD4 XGB65L 100K miles "If you wish to lead a joyous life, you should always spend 10% more than you earn." - Jeremy Clarkson

07-25-2009, 03:52 AM	#6
Rob Edwards Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,817	[hijack] You're right, Sean- not much progress since 3PM Sunday... __________________ 1990 928GT #278, Black/Black, C03 048 418 474 498 538 570 850 691 935 980 112K miles 1993 928GTS 5-speed, Midnight Blue/Light Gray, C02 139 340 418 474 570 586 650 691 980 XD4 XGB65L 100K miles "If you wish to lead a joyous life, you should always spend 10% more than you earn." - Jeremy Clarkson

07-25-2009, 11:52 AM	#7
Ed Scherer Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS, USA Posts: 3,292	FWIW, I succeeded in getting the condenser out last night. Thanks again for your help, Rob. I'll also take this as an opportunity to get all the crud cleaned up that was between the radiator and the condenser now, too. __________________ '90 928S4 black/black

07-25-2009, 01:33 PM	#8
KenRudd Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 279	That is a shockingly clean engine/engine bay. Nice! __________________ Ken Rudd '88 928 S4 Felsengrün/Grey Green AT "U-238", RMB http://www.livestream.com/splintercellracing

07-25-2009, 03:50 PM	#9
WallyP Rennlist Member Rennlist Site Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 3,634	"Flushing" the condensor/condenser might include more than removing metal particles and crud from a failed compressor... I flushed the condensor from my XJS for four or five hours, and it made a real difference. The solvent was still coming out dirty after several quick flushes - the oil had apparently coked from the heat in the condensor. I set it up with a pump and pumped mineral spirits through it for several hours, and eventually got it clean. The A/C system was more effective afterward. __________________ Wally Plumley 928 SPECIALISTS ONLINE STORE 30,000+ Parts Online! Search for 928 Parts by Your Model Type! 928 OC Charter Member