Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ScottieMV6 on 10 May 2009, 17:06:19

Title: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 10 May 2009, 17:06:19
Can anyone please tell me if this is the air con condensor? Its behind the radiator close to the bumper. Pic doesn't really show it very well.

What the picture does show is that I think it is knackered. Anyone confirm this?

(http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii371/scottie7275/IMG_1005.jpg)
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: Andy B on 10 May 2009, 17:11:49
The A/C cndensor is the other 'radiator' that sits infront of the main coolant radiator. The fact you have  cooling fins hanging out won't be critcal to the opperation of the A/C  :y
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 10 May 2009, 17:24:22
What about if some of the fins were lying on the undertray (not attached to the condensor) when I took it off?  :-/
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: Andy B on 10 May 2009, 17:41:09
Quote
What about if some of the fins were lying on the undertray (not attached to the condensor) when I took it off?  :-/

As long as you don't have a leak/hole in your condensor, then you're OK. Like a coolant radiator, you're just loosing a little of the cooling effect of the refridgerant in the condensor. They are there to effectively increase the cooling area/surface of the condensor!  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 10 May 2009, 17:47:57
Not really sure if I do or not as the A/C hasn't worked since I got the car. Guess I won't know until I have it re-gassed!  :-/
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: dbug on 10 May 2009, 17:53:23
If I was you I would fit a known good condenser (get one from a breaker on here - same part for all air con Omegas) before going to the expense of leak testing prior to regassing.  Andy is correct in what he says but as it looks in generally poor and neglected condition likely it will be no good or leak soon after regassing!
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: Andy B on 10 May 2009, 17:56:49
Quote
Not really sure if I do or not as the A/C hasn't worked since I got the car. Guess I won't know until I have it re-gassed!  :-/

Polar Air (http://www.polar-aircon.co.uk/)
 did mine around the beginning of the year. My only critisim of them was getting my money back when they mistakenly took the re-gas fee twice.
Title: Re: Is this the A/c condensor?
Post by: avionista on 13 May 2009, 17:40:23
I took my 98 2.5 CDX estate to have the A/Con re-charged yesterday afternoon. The guy who did it told me that they apply a vacuum to remove the old gas and any moisture within the system. The vacuum level applied to the A/con system is left for an hour and then checked again. Apparently, this vacuum retention test will reveal any leaks in the system. The A/con is then re-charged with new refrigerant and the operation of the system checked. The cost was £56, inc VAT, at an AUTOPOINT franchise outfit.

Fortunately, my system had no leaks and my climate control is now working a treat, just in time for the hot summer we have been promised!