A/C problem

[LordDurock]

okay guys i know this isnt a vw forum but you guys are the people i trust and stuff so here we go
my mom gont in a fender bender in this 2000 vw bettle. and i need to replace the rad and the a/c rad thing (it the condencer right) but the thing is it didnt rupser when she hit and the suv so what do i do. i'll vent it into the air id that what i have to do. but any other opstions. my car ac system is emtpy and need to be filled should i try and emtpy the system in to it................any ideas would be great

[86euro]

Well, if you're replacing the rad and condenser in the beetle, HAVE FUN! They suck:(. If you would like, I can give you several pointers;). As far as evacuating the system, I would take it to a shop and have them suck it out. Or you could "accidentally";) release it into the atmosphere.

[CieraSL92]

Yeah your not really supposed to vent it out, but plenty of cars slowly leak it out.. So..

It still should go to a shop after its been fixed to have a vacuum pulled on the A/C.

[turbokinetic]

If you do this, make sure your Century's A/C contains the proper oil for the R134A that will be in the late-model VW.

Normally the late model cars have a much lower refrigerant capacity than the early cars. (due to EPA guidelines) You will have to install a can or 2 of additional freon in your Century to complete the charge.

As far as the A/C repair on the VW, do not remove Freon or open system until you are completely ready to install new condenser coil. Have new o-rings ready, and vacuum pump standing by before removing the freon. Prepare replacement coil by adding 1 ounce of PAG100 to replace the oil trapped in the old one.

After discharging the system, swap the condenser and immediately connect the vacuum pump. If the system stays open (any fittings disconnected) for more than 10 or 15 minutes the drier will need replacement and it is probably an additional $50.

Evacuate for 30 minutes minimum (longer on cold wether) then recharge by weight, based on car maker's recommended charge amount.

As far as venting freon to the atmosphere? Illegal, yes. Enforcable, no. Let it rip and have a don't ask, don't tell policy about such things. ;)

[bigjoe1015]

As far as the A/C repair on the VW, do not remove Freon or open system until you are completely ready to install new condenser coil.

After discharging the system, swap the condenser and immediately connect the vacuum pump. If the system stays open (any fittings disconnected) for more than 10 or 15 minutes the drier will need replacement and it is probably an additional $50.

;)


If you leave the system open for more than 10 or 15 min. like turbokinetic said, you will be introducing moisture in the system. Moisture will ruin the receiver drier, and eventually rust the insides of the AC system, including the compressor. Like he said, don't do anything until you're ready to do the WHOLE job.

Little known fact about the AC system. During the winter when you have your defroster running, the AC system is running to remove moisture from the air inside the passenger cabin. Keep that AC running right, even in winter!

[LordDurock]

Well, if you're replacing the rad and condenser in the beetle, HAVE FUN! They suck:(. If you would like, I can give you several pointers;). As far as evacuating the system, I would take it to a shop and have them suck it out. Or you could "accidentally";) release it into the atmosphere.

i noticed but my mom messed the bumper up so with the fenders and stuff or its easy. turns out the ac system was opened in the accident so i it all worked out. i try and do everything else i can be for i release toxic stuff in to the ground and air etc.

[86euro]

i noticed but my mom messed the bumper up so with the fenders and stuff or its easy. turns out the ac system was opened in the accident so i it all worked out. i try and do everything else i can be for i release toxic stuff in to the ground and air etc.

It can still be a pain with the fenders and bumpers off, which by the way, need to come off anyway to do the job (you have to take the fenders/bumper off as a unit too). If the radiator and/or condenser are bent or broken, there's a pretty good chance the plastic radiator support is broken. The radiator support, radiator, condenser and cooling fans also unbolt from the car as one unit. Depending on the year, most aftermarket condensers sold will not be the right one, nor will they have the correct one. For some reason, the hookups for the hoses on all of them are in the wrong spot or not the right orientation. It's like all the companies copied the same wrong design. You may have to try several different companies before you get one that will work, and several notches will still need to be cut into the radiator support to get it to fit (been there, done that... a lot).
As far as not leaving the system open for no longer than 10 or 15 minutes, that's just about impossible with these new beetles. It doesn't really matter though, because IIRC, the condenser has the dryer included (it bolts right to it).

[LordDurock]

It can still be a pain with the fenders and bumpers off, which by the way, need to come off anyway to do the job (you have to take the fenders/bumper off as a unit too). If the radiator and/or condenser are bent or broken, there's a pretty good chance the plastic radiator support is broken. The radiator support, radiator, condenser and cooling fans also unbolt from the car as one unit. Depending on the year, most aftermarket condensers sold will not be the right one, nor will they have the correct one. For some reason, the hookups for the hoses on all of them are in the wrong spot or not the right orientation. It's like all the companies copied the same wrong design. You may have to try several different companies before you get one that will work, and several notches will still need to be cut into the radiator support to get it to fit (been there, done that... a lot).
As far as not leaving the system open for no longer than 10 or 15 minutes, that's just about impossible with these new beetles. It doesn't really matter though, because IIRC, the condenser has the dryer included (it bolts right to it).


in the end the bumper/ fender Assembly isn't that bad. i didn't have any problems with the clamps or ac fittings............i bought the rad support form the dealership so i better be the right one. bumper, hood, ac and rad form some online place (have to ask my dad) over all its not to bad I've seen worse on small cars but its bad. not as bad as my 4.3 diesel (gm just slapped that thing in there I'm going to have to pull the motor again to drill out a starter bolts errr)

it took me about and hour and a half to get the bumper and fenders off and the rad stuff. not bad at all i think. sure its not the the 30 minute in out of a Chevy suburban but what ever...........

[86euro]

I'm impressed! You've gotten that far into the job and you're not completely frustrated with the car and it's "german engineering". You must have much more patience with things than I do.

[LordDurock]

no i just new what had to be done and taking the bumper of it like 7 bolts for each inerfender, 6 for the top of the fender, 8 for each side. none are hard to get to. and couple on the bottom. all easy to get. and like 16 to get the fender off the bumper when its of the car. there all easy to get to no hand tweaking (which i hate and easy to get back in i hate that problem more)

but in not a patient person. when i was rebuilding my motor (the 4.3) i said thing not fit for R movies and hit a lot of things with a malet....and even almost Brock my windshield with a prybar........ notice the white spot in the window (the bottom on is the size of a quarter and the other about the size of dime) be for it was uncracked window :(


but as long as it comes apart easy and the bolts are easy to get to and stuff and it goes together with out much pain. there no need to get pissed. Germans may have some bad designs but they go together easy.