Testing a Junkyard A/C Condenser

Managed to snap a fitting on my condenser. There are a couple TBI cars in the yard. Thought I might try to pull one. Is there anyway to test it without installing it in my car, charging the system and then doing a dye test?

Plug one end, and use compressed air.

If you find a car that's still charged it's probably fine. RA has them for around $75 BTW.

Buy a new one and cut your problems down to zero!

Make sure you wash it out thoroughly, or you may ruin your compressor.

I think my shop may still have one of mine - we warrantied the compressor but didn't switch out the condenser since it was only 2 weeks old...
Let me check with them and see if they have it or had to send it back with the broken compressor core.

I'd buy a new one, but the reviews say it doesn't fit the stock cradle (too short) and the plumbing doesn't fit correctly either. Thats why I was looking for an OEM unit. May have found one though. Out of a Cali car.

I bought a new one from Rock Auto last year for the OCC and it was a perfect fit and works well.

Olds Weighty Eight wrote:

I bought a new one from Rock Auto last year for the OCC and it was a perfect fit and works well.

What brand was it? Because the reviews for the Spectra version were very bad.

Get a new one if it's in your budget. Not worth risking your compressor.

BUT if you decide to go used, spray a TON of brake cleaner into it, and then blow it out really well with compressed air. Do this a few times. Learned this back in the 90's when I had the a/c shop here. Any leftover will evaporate.

-Mike

81X11 wrote:

Get a new one if it's in your budget.  Not worth risking your compressor.

The new ones don't fit, hence this post. Olds Weighty Eight says hit fit but he didn't say the brand. I'm not wasting $80 on a pile of junk that doesn't fit.