Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Provided by www.ACkits.com

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Search Auto AC Forum Archives

Questions about U-van Replacement Condensers

GM Tech on Thu May 08, 2008 10:35 AM User is offline

Year: 01-02
Make:

I have probably seen 40 or 50 Mitsubishi system OEM condensers (Pontiac Montana, Olds Silhouette, Chevy Venture, also Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek) that leak at the bottom right hand corner (passenger side)- Last week I got a 2002 Chevy Venture - friend of a friend- that they swore the condenser was replaced 3 yrs ago- I told them that if so - there are tell tale signs that I will watch for- such as bolts missing, and most importantly-- the replacement condenser has a "blank" tab at the mounting location where the leak occurs-- (obvious stress point)- Every replacement condeneser I have ever bought (approx 20) - regardless of manufacturer- has always had the mounting tab blank (no hole). This condenser had the hole and it was mounted just like OEM.

The owner called the shop that "replaced" the condenser 3 yrs ago- they pulled up her records- they say yes, they replaced the condenser- bought it from the local GM dealer- and charged her $900.

I'm here to say BS- that condenser is OEM- it even appears to have a label with a date code that if read right- is actually 4 wks before the build of the vehicle-- which further proves it is the original.

Plus I have NEVER seen a replacement condenser fail in the same place as the OEM---
And absolutey every bolt and wiring harness tab etc was in place- exactly as it left the factory- there were no shortcuts found (as usual when I follow another mechanic).

So since so much time has elasped, I doubt anything can be done-- they did have a loss of a/c 3 yrs ago-- perhaps the "shop" took advantage of the "well known" condenser problem and made another repair (the actual problem) and charged them for a condenser replacement. I'm really bothered by this, my main question is to this forum is -- Has anyone ever seen a replacement condneser that has the hole in the mounting tab? Even when I bought from GM service parts- the condensers NEVER had the hole. So what are your opinions? Did she get taken????

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

TRB on Thu May 08, 2008 12:06 PM User is offlineView users profile

This is the aftermarket model we offer.



-------------------------

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

GM Tech on Thu May 08, 2008 12:41 PM User is offline

Thanks Tim- I see the hole is there on yours-- it is the first time I have seen it -- But your photo is upsidedown as installed- but I suppose the marketing gurus don't know the difference- I saw one on another site that is also displayed upsidedown- and it clearly shows no mounting hole

I plan on keeping this condenser until I get the next one (won't be long) that I know has never been changed- then I can take measurements etc- to prove to myself that it is an OEM unit.....

The saga continues.....

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Edited: Thu May 08, 2008 at 12:44 PM by GM Tech

TRB on Thu May 08, 2008 12:54 PM User is offlineView users profile

Better?

-------------------------

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

Back to Automotive Air Conditioning Forum

We've updated our forums!
Click here to visit the new forum

Archive Home

Copyright © 2016 Arizona Mobile Air Inc.