Hi all, My A/C condenser on my megane 250 has literally about ten fins left on it, so, unsurprisingly, doesn't work! Honestly, what a terrible design flaw having it positioned RIGHT where it's most likely to get smacked by on-coming stones! Anyway, I've ordered a replacement and want to try to fit it myself. I've got three questions: 1. Do you need to remove the radiator to replace the condenser? I've searched, but can't find this info, sorry. I'm sure it's a very obvious question, but it is different for different cars. 2. Is it necessary to remove the front of the car to get to the bolts? 3. I don't think I've got any gasket sealant in the house. Will anything else work in a pinch? Cheers, Dan
Hi, Can't help you with no. 1 as I've not done this task previously but on 2 & 3, you will as a minimum need the front bumper off the car to get access. AC pipes are normally alloy fittings with rubber O rings ideally these should be replaced. If you have no AC at all I would suspect a leak or compressor issue, can you hear/see it engage? Is there gas in the system at all? You shouldn't let the gas enter the atmosphere as its bad for the environment and kills polar bears, probably best to get someone in to extract it and regas once you have solved the issue.
You will need to remove the bumper the coolant radiator doesn't need to be removed. There are two 10mm headed bolts to remove and one plug all on the left hand side looking at the radiator. The connections are an o ring on a spigot, twist the pipes gently, there only aluminium so take care. There are two filling points on the system, both have black screw on caps, press the centre to see if there is any pressure in the system, if there is get it vacuum'd out if there isn't crack on. small amount of Vaseline around the fittings and O rings will help it all go back together
These cars are 10 years old now, my air con rad literally fell to pieces when it was replaced last year, then it was discovered the compressor was also u/s, thankfully it was all done under warranty, but now my car is just sat in my garage so I can't enjoy the ice cold air As above, firstly check you have any gas, going by your description I'd guess not, then after it's been gassed, if it still doesn't go ice cold check compressor, they have a magnetic type clutch in them, this is what failed on mine.
