I put the condenser in last night.  Went right in.  Only now I have a bit of
a coolant leak.  I thing the lower radiator hose needs to reseat and I
should move the clamp.

But…  I went to evacuate the AC and my vacuum pump won’t work.
Damn, damn, damn.  So I have to run to a shop today to get them
to evacuate and charge the system.  Oh well…

I looked at that Arizona web site and they sell a variety of vacuum
pumps.  And a nice manifold set.  Maybe…  If I get this new job…
Only then I may just buy a new car and no more servicing AC!  At
least for a while.

news:hope631af5l1e6f6i3d4jlbn0q0gbno5vm@4ax.com…

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

> >> The problem with the one from AZ was that it was WAY physically
> >> SMALLER than the one it was (attempting) to replace.  There’s no way
> >> it would have fit.  Overall the job wasn’t that bad, take out the
> >> cooling fans, remove radiator, remove condenser.  That’s all I really
> >> remember.

> >Was that the Arizona Air place?  I thought they looked pretty good, but
> >the prices there weren’t.  They were cheaper than the local discount
> >places (those seem to run $180 or so).  When you say smaller, you
> >mean the mounts weren’t the same?  Or the fittings???

> What I meant by "AZ" was Auto Zone  And what I mean by smaller is,
> lets just say, the condenser is supposed to be 3.5′ long by 2.5′ wide
> (not actual numbers just for this example) … so then the one that
> autozone carries is 2.5′ long by 1.5′ wide, catch my drift?  Does NOT
> match up in physical size at all.  Like I mentioned, ended up getting
> it from the dealer, which was cheaper than autozone was, ironically
> enough.

> -GV

Thanks!

I ended up getting mine from Silla.  Well, one of the local reps for one of
the internet companies that sells Silla.  They had 2 in stock.  When I
picked it up, the guy told me they had over 20 in stock 2 weeks ago
and they had a run on that model and the version that fits the Aztec
(they had none of those left).

Anyway, it was $117.  I know it was cheaper ($104) other places, but I
didn’t have to pay shipping, and I could get it immediately.  They have
a ‘price match’ policy, but then I’d have to have it shipped from the
factory.  Still, while not the cheapest, it was in the ballpark, and I could
get it now.  They had it waiting at the shipping dock when I pulled up
to the warehouse.  Can’t beat service like that!

It was a PERFECT match.  Well, not perfect.  The cooling fins on the
top are square and went right to the edge of the metal bracket.  On the
factory the cooling fins are ‘tapered’ on the top row.  As a result, I had
to trim the rubber mount slightly and even still it bent over a few fins
at either end.  No big deal.  Oh, and it came pressurized to keep out
moisture.

I didn’t try AutoZone locally, but the two chain stores I did try were
bumping $200.

>Was that the Arizona Air place?  I thought they looked pretty good, but
>the prices there weren’t.  They were cheaper than the local discount
>places (those seem to run $180 or so).  When you say smaller, you
>mean the mounts weren’t the same?  Or the fittings???

What I meant by "AZ" was Auto Zone  And what I mean by smaller is,
lets just say, the condenser is supposed to be 3.5′ long by 2.5′ wide
(not actual numbers just for this example) … so then the one that
autozone carries is 2.5′ long by 1.5′ wide, catch my drift?  Does NOT
match up in physical size at all.  Like I mentioned, ended up getting
it from the dealer, which was cheaper than autozone was, ironically
enough.

-GV

Turns out a place I found is local (less than 15 miles from me) offers a
lifetime warrantee for non-physical damage, and while not the cheapest
is way under the local discount places.

But, I see there are two types.  Tube and fin and serpentine.  Most places
charge the same but a couple want a little more for serpentine.  Also, the
tube and fin condenser is specified as ‘coupe’ on a couple of sites on
the web, while the serpentine is specified as coupe/sedan.  But then,
the dimensions seem the same.

What really is the difference?  At least, from my point of view?

Another thing…  Some of the places seem to carry ‘generic’ radiators.
How much ‘custom fit’ is there going to be on most of these things if
I don’t get an OEM part?

Anyway, the place I found local is an outlet for Radiator Express.
Any feedback on these guys?

Mike

news:1rad63pmfgcqf2gvv7gg0fh7do0c2kv8vc@4ax.com…
> >I’ve called around and the cheapest by far is the internet.  ONE place
> >said there’s 2 different condensers for the car, but the rest just list
> >one.  Evidently one version comes with something different on the
> >end, but they are the same when it comes to fittings, and either
> >version will fit in my car.  (Hopefully!)

> The problem with the one from AZ was that it was WAY physically
> SMALLER than the one it was (attempting) to replace.  There’s no way
> it would have fit.  Overall the job wasn’t that bad, take out the
> cooling fans, remove radiator, remove condenser.  That’s all I really
> remember.

> -GV

Was that the Arizona Air place?  I thought they looked pretty good, but
the prices there weren’t.  They were cheaper than the local discount
places (those seem to run $180 or so).  When you say smaller, you
mean the mounts weren’t the same?  Or the fittings???

The problem with the one from AZ was that it was WAY physically
SMALLER than the one it was (attempting) to replace.  There’s no way
it would have fit.  Overall the job wasn’t that bad, take out the
cooling fans, remove radiator, remove condenser.  That’s all I really
remember.

-GV

news:f7o9i.469$pw3.8@newsfe06.lga…

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

> <H…@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> news:nzn9i.6960$y_7.6605@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net…

> > By the way, Nylog is just one brand name for this type of product.  I
> bought
> > mine from http://www.ackits.com ..  I think that there are other similar on the
> > market.
> > I would not use silicone on these seals.  Either get the lubricant made
> for
> > them
> > or go with nothing at all.  (Just my 2 cents.)

> Ok then…  you’re saying it would be better for a totally dry seal as
> opposed to wetting my finger with the AC oil and putting that on the seal.

> Mike

Nope, I didnt say that.  AC oil is okay.  I would not use silicone.

news:boec63hce5apkrnhjbgirr524n28aa9js6@4ax.com…
> >The condenser on my 95 Pontiac GP is trashed.  It’s got a pretty
> >substantial leak in the lower corner.  One guy said it looked like it
> >ate a bird.

> Just make sure you get the right one.  Had to replace mine in my 94,
> got it from autozone, wasn’t even CLOSE to being the right part even
> though that’s what their system said it was.  Had to get it right from
> the dealer (and it ended up being cheaper to boot, go figure)

> -GV

I’ve called around and the cheapest by far is the internet.  ONE place
said there’s 2 different condensers for the car, but the rest just list
one.  Evidently one version comes with something different on the
end, but they are the same when it comes to fittings, and either
version will fit in my car.  (Hopefully!)

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

>The condenser on my 95 Pontiac GP is trashed.  It’s got a pretty
>substantial leak in the lower corner.  One guy said it looked like it
>ate a bird.

>Whatever…

>If I top it off it will freeze you out of the car, but it will drain to
>total
>ineffectiveness overnight.  Thing is, it doesn’t drain out totally, just
>to where it doesn’t cool.  It still has pressure.

>I’ve been pricing condensers.  About$120 or so.

>Now, any tricks or tips on doing the job?  How about any tips
>to evacuate the system before recharging it?

>Mike

Just make sure you get the right one.  Had to replace mine in my 94,
got it from autozone, wasn’t even CLOSE to being the right part even
though that’s what their system said it was.  Had to get it right from
the dealer (and it ended up being cheaper to boot, go figure)

-GV

news:nzn9i.6960$y_7.6605@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net…

> By the way, Nylog is just one brand name for this type of product.  I
bought
> mine from http://www.ackits.com ..  I think that there are other similar on the
> market.
> I would not use silicone on these seals.  Either get the lubricant made
for
> them
> or go with nothing at all.  (Just my 2 cents.)

Ok then…  you’re saying it would be better for a totally dry seal as
opposed to wetting my finger with the AC oil and putting that on the seal.

Mike