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Do I have a high performance condenser

awg1011 on Sun February 21, 2010 12:06 PM User is offline

Year: 96
Make: VW
Model: Jetta Trek
Engine Size: 2.0
Refrigerant Type: r134a

I will soon be purchasing a new compressor and drier for my Jetta, when looking at ackits compressor warranty policy, it says that if the car is equipped with a high performance condenser that it must also be replaced.

I assume that this car does not have a high performance condenser, is this a correct assumption?

I just want to make sure I don't void the warranty.

Thanks
awg

TRB on Sun February 21, 2010 11:22 PM User is offlineView users profile

96 would have a R134a condenser.

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Chick on Mon February 22, 2010 12:20 AM User is offlineView users profile

Your car uses a parallel flow condenser, if you had a catastrophic compressor failure, it would be a good idea to change the condenser, otherwise compressor and drier is all you would need.. Ackits.com can get you all the parts you need at reasonable prices..changing the condenser if you have doubts, is not a bad idea.. hope this helps..


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Email: Chick

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TRB on Mon February 22, 2010 1:21 PM User is offlineView users profile

I agree with Chick. Best to replace the condenser also and do a complete system flush of the rest of the components per Hecat's tech page. Compressor companies are getting real picky on warranty claims anymore.

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

awg1011 on Mon February 22, 2010 10:12 PM User is offline

Thanks TRB and Chick,

So, are all r134 condensers considered high performance? the reason I'm asking is that ackits compressor warranty policy states "Vehicles equipped with r134 high performance condensers must replace them when doing a compressor replacement." I guess the way I read it is that r134 condensers may or may not be high performance.

The failure is the compressor is stuck on it's lowest displacement. After an evac and recharge there's no cold air and no load on the engine when the compressor comes on. The high side doesn't go up much beyond static and the low side doesn't go down much from static. Sorry I don't have exact numbers, it was in the fall that I did this and I didn't write anything down. After much research, mainly on this forum, it was clear to me that the control valve in the compressor was stuck. I did consider fixing the compressor, but decided it would be best to just replace it.

Besides the compressor and drier, I also plan on replacing the expansion valve, also required for compressor warranty (yes, all through ackits).

Thanks,
awg

BTW, this is the first major repair on this car in 220,000 miles, since it was new.

HECAT on Tue February 23, 2010 5:52 AM User is offline

Something to think about.

What if it is not the control valve; and the compressor has failed internally?

Is your current plan to reuse the 220,000 mile oils remaining the system; with the new compressor?

Details about condenser designs (performance=parallel flow), flushing, oils, and common failure patterns; can all be found in the tech paper in my signature below, as TRB has already mentioned.

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FLUSHING TECHNICAL PAPER vs2.pdf 

JACK ADAMS on Tue February 23, 2010 4:32 PM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: awg1011
Thanks TRB and Chick,



So, are all r134 condensers considered high performance? the reason I'm asking is that ackits compressor warranty policy states "Vehicles equipped with r134 high performance condensers must replace them when doing a compressor replacement." I guess the way I read it is that r134 condensers may or may not be high performance.



Most cars and trucks using 134a refrigerant will have either a 6mm tube & fin or a PFC (parallel flow condenser) witch are considered a higher performance than the old R-12 styles (10mm tube & fin or serpentine).


Flushing is one of the most important parts of a service that needs to be done.

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