Air conditioner condenser removal...

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User1

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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 4px" vAlign=top colSpan=2>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Air conditioner condenser removal...<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 19 2000 at 6:51 PM[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Doc [/FONT]</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->hey all...

Want to install a fan for some additonal cooling at the radiator. Since I took the AC compressor out a few months back, I figured i could just drop the condensor and give myself more room...

I took out the two bolts holding the condensor brackets at the bottom of the radiator, and thought it would be loose at that point, but it won't come out.

I can feel two side brackets, but there are no bolts I can feel... do these need to be cut?

Other tips? I really don't want to make a huge project out of this.

Doc

PS: No answers yet to my headlight followup - please take a look if you know a bit about how they work.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->I count 5 bolts<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 19 2000, 7:10 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Hi Doc, I have an A/C condenser sitting in front of me from an '87. It has two bolts on the top, two bottom and one on the inlet/outlet tubing. You of course have to remove the fittings from the in/out pipes as well, giving you a grand total of 7 connection points. Good luck! - Jeff<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Doc[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Thanks Jeff-<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 6:27 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 30px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Sounds like I have to drop the radiator to get the condensor off.. no?

I was hoping to get it out without having to do that.

Thanks for the tips.

Doc<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->How many fans does an X1/9 need???<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 6:57 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 45px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Doc-

Since you have an A/C car it should already have 2 fans mounted on the backside. Am I to understand that you are trying to remove the condensor in order to mount a THIRD fan on the front side of the radiator??

If that's the case, then let me submit to you that if you need 3 fans in order to keep the car cool then your cooling system is in serious disorder and adding another fan is a temporary fix.

Give us more details on your current set up and how many fans are already there. When was the last time your radiator was cleaned out? When was the last time you bled the radiator? What condition are the pipes that run under the car in? When was the last time you changed your water pump belt? How old is your thermostat? Are you using a STOCK radiator cap and how old is it? How old are your hoses?

I suggest you take a good look at the cooling system as a whole before adding a third fan to the car. A proper cooling system will NOT overheat, despite the misconception that the system is marginal. All X1/9's that have come to my driveway overheating were fixed by addressing one of the items I asked about above.

-Lalo
http://www.netcom.com/~la_migra
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Untitled<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 8:07 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 60px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Lalo - thanks for the tips...

If I have any fans (can't see them, so I'm not sure) I'm pretty certain that they don't work.

TO answer your other questions:

The radiator has not been cleaned while in my posession (and likely not with the OO either).

The radiator was bled, and hoses changed about a month ago. The pipes are in good shape.

The cap was purchased from IAP when I got the car - they tell me its the right one, so I will have to trust them on that.

The water pump belt was changed when I did the timing belt... 4-5 months ago.

I haven't changed the thermostat, but I did take it out and do the "bucket of hot water test" when I bought the car. It starts to open around 135 and is fully open at 160 or so.

In short, I don't have an overheating problem. The car runs in the 170 range most of the time... I'd just like to try and get it a bit cooler than that if I can.... that seems a bit too warm for my liking. Maybe I'm nuts
happy.gif


Doc<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width="17.9%">[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]Ulix[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 75px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->You are nuts<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 9:18 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 75px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Hi Doc,

If your 1500 runs around 170, open a bottle of italian Chianti, sit down next to your car in a lawn chair and ponder how grand life is.

But if your fans didn't work, I'd say your car should get pretty hot when stationary. So if your car doesn't go much over 190 when stuck in traffic, your fans are probably working. You can test them by just idling the car in your driveway, the fan should come on after a couple of minutes.

Removing the condesner is good idea, it improves air flow through the radiator at speed. Adding a fan in front of the radiator would HURT airflow at speed and gain you nothing at low speed since your car doesn't get hot anyway.

170 is almost cold. Most X1/9s run around 180 or 190. Ford Tauruses are designed to run a good bit over 200 if I remember correctly.

So, I would check your fan, then leave the poor car alone and sip that Chianti
happy.gif


Ulix (sipping italian coffee)
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[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 9:39 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 90px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Ok, I didn't realize that most ran hotter than mine. You are correct, 190-200 when stuck in traffic... but I still don't think my fans are working. I'll look into it further.

Either way, I think the condensor is coming out.

Doc<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 105px" vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Sounds fine.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 11:42 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 105px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->SOunds like your cooling system is working great. The fans are on the backside of the radiator. If the car never gets above 200 even in traffic on a warm day then your fans are working. Do as Ulix suggested and let the car idle in your driveway. If the car gets anywhere near 200 the fans should be on.

In any case put your energy into some other part of the car, the cooling system sounds like it's doing just fine.

-Lalo
http://www.netcom.com/~la_migra<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 7:06 PM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 105px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->rmember, every pound you delete, especialy outside the wheelbase,will improve your handling.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial][/FONT]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right>[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]July 20 2000, 7:36 AM [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 15px">
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial]<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Doc:
If you remove the radiator and condenser together its much easier, one of the radiator mounting bolts also serves as a support for to hold the metal pipes from the condenser.

There are four 10mm nuts holding the condenser to the radiator (Besides the one mentioned above)
Bringing the complete assembly down keeps you from damaging the radiator fins.

However, Lalo has a very valid point and you don't need a third radiator. <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

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