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aircon condenser change



04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
Hi, I'm slowly working on my 182 as I get chance and the aircon condenser has definitely seen better days and isn't secure. It flaps about at the bottom as looks like the bracket is totally shot. I'd like to replace it myself (maybe the radiator aswell but will look at that when its out) and wondered if there is a guide anywhere on how best to do it and what condenser to get.

I've seen posts on here with a mix between nissens, denso and delphi but they all seem to be slightly different sizes when I've looked on Autodoc.

Also I'm not 100% sure if its charged or not and don't fancy spraying out the gas so how's best to check it and degas it if needed. Is it just a bang aircon on and if its cold its gassed? Car isn't mobile so i can't take it to anyone to get them to degas it for me.

Car was a blind ebay buy by the wife for my birthday so I'm working through the list of jobs.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice
 

Ol’ Tarby

ClioSport Moderator
  Clio 220 Trophy
Hi, I'm slowly working on my 182 as I get chance and the aircon condenser has definitely seen better days and isn't secure. It flaps about at the bottom as looks like the bracket is totally shot. I'd like to replace it myself (maybe the radiator aswell but will look at that when its out) and wondered if there is a guide anywhere on how best to do it and what condenser to get.

I've seen posts on here with a mix between nissens, denso and delphi but they all seem to be slightly different sizes when I've looked on Autodoc.

Also I'm not 100% sure if its charged or not and don't fancy spraying out the gas so how's best to check it and degas it if needed. Is it just a bang aircon on and if its cold its gassed? Car isn't mobile so i can't take it to anyone to get them to degas it for me.

Car was a blind ebay buy by the wife for my birthday so I'm working through the list of jobs.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice
If the compressor clicks when you turn AC on, then it still has gas in the system. If not then the pressure switch will stop it engaging.

Can't remember which one I bought now, @Louis might cos think he got the same one. Was only about 15-20 quid
 

MLB

ClioSport Club Member
I just drove to ATS and got them to empty the system free of charge, obviously not an option for you but there's mobile ac specialists as well who can empty, pressure test and regas at wherever you want, but they might charge for just emptying the system.

These are the dryer and condenser I bought for my Clio, all connected up with m6 caged nuts and I believe 20mm m6 flanged bolts



 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
I just drove to ATS and got them to empty the system free of charge, obviously not an option for you but there's mobile ac specialists as well who can empty, pressure test and regas at wherever you want, but they might charge for just emptying the system.

These are the dryer and condenser I bought for my Clio, all connected up with m6 caged nuts and I believe 20mm m6 flanged bolts



Thanks. condenser is out of stock on the ebay one but found same one on autodoc for not much more.

Do you know if there is a guide for replacing them anywhere or is it simply slam panel off, drain rad, disconnect rad and condenser and lift out the rad, condenser and fan in one go?
 

Louis

I Park Like a C**t
ClioSport Club Member
The ones from Ebay are now about 120quid unfortunately.

Pretty self explanatory when you're there for changing the rad, but I'm sure theres guides and also some photos in my thread.
 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
The ones from Ebay are now about 120quid unfortunately.

Pretty self explanatory when you're there for changing the rad, but I'm sure theres guides and also some photos in my thread.
Thanks Louis. Just got the nissens one MLB said but from autodoc for £63.90 which isnt bad i thought. I had a look for threads and guides but will search for one of yours. Thanks all. Hopefully have it back on the road soon (been on my drive 15 months now) and will be looking for somewhere in east yorkshire for belts
 

MLB

ClioSport Club Member
Thanks. condenser is out of stock on the ebay one but found same one on autodoc for not much more.

Do you know if there is a guide for replacing them anywhere or is it simply slam panel off, drain rad, disconnect rad and condenser and lift out the rad, condenser and fan in one go?

Yes that's pretty much what I did.

And get some pag oil to lubricate the seals and add 45 ml (30 for condenser and 15 for dryer).

 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
Yes that's pretty much what I did.

And get some pag oil to lubricate the seals and add 45 ml (30 for condenser and 15 for dryer).

cheers, assume i just add it into the condenser/pipe and the fasten it up. or is it easier to add it through the charging port by taking the valve out.
 

MLB

ClioSport Club Member
I don't think it matters, this is just what the manual suggests. Should be fine as long as it's back in the system!

I'm not too sure if oil gets pulled out when they vacuum a system and how much oil is actually added when a system gets regassed either to be honest.
 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
Hi. Sorry if these are dumb questions but here I go.

1) On the aircon dryer. Which pipe goes to the 'IN'. is it the pipe connected to the condenser or the pipe which loops back around the front of the car. cant see any markings on the original dryer.
2) when you refit them all. do you fit the radiator and condenser as one and then fir the fan, or condenser on its own and then the rad with fan attached.
3) can you get just get the 3 aircon seals. the one on the condenser and the two on the dryer or do i need to buy a full kit.

Thanks in advance. many more dumb questions to come i'm sure.
 

MLB

ClioSport Club Member
Flow is from condensor to dryer so I think I connected the condensor to the 'IN' on the dryer.

I fitted everything as one, so bolted the condensor to the radiator and I attached the fan as well.

20201017_153615.jpg


Not sure re the seals, I don't think Renault do them seperately but I'm sure you'll be able to get individual seals from ebay. Or maybe just go to your local garage/ATS euromaster they might be able to help. ATS near me was super helpful and gave me some small stuff like seals and oil for free.
 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
Flow is from condensor to dryer so I think I connected the condensor to the 'IN' on the dryer.

I fitted everything as one, so bolted the condensor to the radiator and I attached the fan as well.

View attachment 1583853

Not sure re the seals, I don't think Renault do them seperately but I'm sure you'll be able to get individual seals from ebay. Or maybe just go to your local garage/ATS euromaster they might be able to help. ATS near me was super helpful and gave me some small stuff like seals and oil for free.
Thank you. i'll see if i can get it in all on one go. struggled to get it out on one piece
 

04-182

ClioSport Club Member
  AB Clio 182
Follow up question. For the pipe that connects to the side of the condenser. I have 2 types of seal the same diameter but one type is double thickness. The one that was on when I took the old one off was none oem and single thickness but with signs of a leak. These are the ones which come in the oem pack.
Anyone know which one I should use.

Thanks in advance.

A18EAC00-B11C-4E9C-9F63-0B41C8BC80DB.jpeg
 


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