Last fall my AC system was broken and empty after someone backed into my front and cracked the condenser (It was close to empty too). Anyway, I replaced it with a new Spectra condenser last October, put in new hoses and all. Didn't get around to replacing the compressor and filling the system, so I capped all the hoses so I could get around to it now.

So now I look at the new condenser and it seems some one or something, jammed into it through the front grill and bent some fins and one of the main horizontal coils. The horizontal coil doesn't look ruptured but the fins look like they cracked.

Question is, do the fins carry refrigerant or do they just help dissipate heat? If they don't carry refrigerant I can keep it. If not I guess I have to change it again.

Thanks.

 

Fins carry no refrigerant. Rent a vacuum pump from local parts house, you will know pretty quick if more damage was done.

 

It looks fine to me. It was probably a stone or something that kicked up and hit the condenser, I doubt anyone would waste the time to bend a few fins

Since your system has been drained for a while, I would suggest getting the system vacuumed (they literally put the system under vacuum and suck all the air out). This does 2 things

1, it lets you test for leaks by checking the pressure periodically to see if there is a leak anywhere
2, it gets any moisture and stale air out of the system so you can fill it with refrigerant

EDIT:
Also definately replace the AC Drier (called an AC Receiver / Drier I think). It is designed to absorb any moisture, and if your system has been exposed to normal atmospheric air, the desiccant in the AC Drier is probably bad. Replace any o-rings that look like they are old/worn because its much cheaper to do it before you fill the system than after you loose all the refrigerant due to a leak. Plus you'll kill all the polar bears if you don't

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....0314&jsn=10411

 

Thanks guys, I will rent the vacuum pump and see how it does.

 

^ I agree and have a shop do it you might want to change a few other small items as well before you do a fill. ^

 

I would have a shop fill the system and add the PAG lubricant, but I would think you could be OK to vac the system yourself and save some cash

Maybe leave it under vacuum for a night or two just to make sure there aren't any leaks

 

If you're anally retentive like me, you can straighten out those aluminum fins with a small flat screwdriver.

 

Hmm, I am not that skilled with a flat screw driver.