A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.

Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
put on (leaking problems).

Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
looking shady.

Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 11:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

Please define shady. If they are bent, there are tools that can be
purchased that will straighten them enough for good air flow. If the
condenser is dirty/plugged, use some cleaner such as simple green or
any of the orange products and spray it will and then let it sit for a
while and then use a hose with a spray nozzle and from the top to
bottom hose the condenser down and you should get most of the dirt
off. You may have to repeat the process. Don't shoot directly into the
condenser or you will just blast the junk back into an area that is
hard to get to. It is much easier to clean the condenser when you have
the radiator out. You can then do a more complete job by puting the
cleaner on the front and blast with the hose from the back of the
condenser.You can also take it to an AC shop and they can do the job
and the cost should not be excessive.

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 11:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

Please define shady. If they are bent, there are tools that can be
purchased that will straighten them enough for good air flow. If the
condenser is dirty/plugged, use some cleaner such as simple green or
any of the orange products and spray it will and then let it sit for a
while and then use a hose with a spray nozzle and from the top to
bottom hose the condenser down and you should get most of the dirt
off. You may have to repeat the process. Don't shoot directly into the
condenser or you will just blast the junk back into an area that is
hard to get to. It is much easier to clean the condenser when you have
the radiator out. You can then do a more complete job by puting the
cleaner on the front and blast with the hose from the back of the
condenser.You can also take it to an AC shop and they can do the job
and the cost should not be excessive.

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 11:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

Please define shady. If they are bent, there are tools that can be
purchased that will straighten them enough for good air flow. If the
condenser is dirty/plugged, use some cleaner such as simple green or
any of the orange products and spray it will and then let it sit for a
while and then use a hose with a spray nozzle and from the top to
bottom hose the condenser down and you should get most of the dirt
off. You may have to repeat the process. Don't shoot directly into the
condenser or you will just blast the junk back into an area that is
hard to get to. It is much easier to clean the condenser when you have
the radiator out. You can then do a more complete job by puting the
cleaner on the front and blast with the hose from the back of the
condenser.You can also take it to an AC shop and they can do the job
and the cost should not be excessive.

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 10:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

I'd just keep running it. If it still seems to cool ok, it's good nuff
for gov work. The definitive way to test would be to check the
head pressure. "high side". Most would need to go to a shop
to do that. But, if it ain't cycling off on the high pressure switch,
I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't get a new coil unless you
are sure you are going to keep that car a long time. At 184k,
it's going to need other various work as it putts along..
The price of a coil, with labor, etc, ain't worth it in my opinion.
I might consider it if it were a real problem, and I knew I
was going to keep the car. But you aren't having a real
problem at this point. Be gentle if you try to wash the coil.
When they get "flaky", it's easy to knock fins off with just the
pressure of a water hose. I would leave it alone unless it's
really filthy. And then just hose it "head on" Not at angles
to the coil. That can blast fins away.
MK

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 10:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

I'd just keep running it. If it still seems to cool ok, it's good nuff
for gov work. The definitive way to test would be to check the
head pressure. "high side". Most would need to go to a shop
to do that. But, if it ain't cycling off on the high pressure switch,
I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't get a new coil unless you
are sure you are going to keep that car a long time. At 184k,
it's going to need other various work as it putts along..
The price of a coil, with labor, etc, ain't worth it in my opinion.
I might consider it if it were a real problem, and I knew I
was going to keep the car. But you aren't having a real
problem at this point. Be gentle if you try to wash the coil.
When they get "flaky", it's easy to knock fins off with just the
pressure of a water hose. I would leave it alone unless it's
really filthy. And then just hose it "head on" Not at angles
to the coil. That can blast fins away.
MK

Re: A/C Condenser: Replace or Not?
 

On Aug 4, 10:07 am, "warlock162" <b...@dwsd.org> wrote:
> I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan.
>
> Just two days ago, at about 184,000 miles, I had a new radiator and hoses
> put on (leaking problems).
>
> Even though the a/c condenser is still in working order, the fins are
> looking shady.
>
> Should I wait until it fails, or keep it while the going is good?

I'd just keep running it. If it still seems to cool ok, it's good nuff
for gov work. The definitive way to test would be to check the
head pressure. "high side". Most would need to go to a shop
to do that. But, if it ain't cycling off on the high pressure switch,
I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't get a new coil unless you
are sure you are going to keep that car a long time. At 184k,
it's going to need other various work as it putts along..
The price of a coil, with labor, etc, ain't worth it in my opinion.
I might consider it if it were a real problem, and I knew I
was going to keep the car. But you aren't having a real
problem at this point. Be gentle if you try to wash the coil.
When they get "flaky", it's easy to knock fins off with just the
pressure of a water hose. I would leave it alone unless it's
really filthy. And then just hose it "head on" Not at angles
to the coil. That can blast fins away.
MK