The condenser (air conditioner radiator) is a multi-flow type and is installed in front of the engine cooling system radiator
The condenser is attached to the cooling system radiator tanks with four brackets
The condenser cells are thin-walled aluminum flat tubes.
The aluminum tanks have flanges for connecting pipelines.
The tanks are divided into sections by height, so the refrigerant flow changes direction several times as it passes through the condenser.
The condenser condenses the vapors of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and removes the heat released into the surrounding air.
When the air conditioner is turned on, the engine control unit turns on the power supply circuit of the electric fan of the engine cooling radiator, which improves heat exchange in the condenser and reduces the pressure in the air conditioning system.
At least once a year, preferably before the start summer operation, wash the condenser honeycomb fins from adhering dirt, dust and anti-icing agents.
This will improve heat exchange, reduce the pressure in the system and increase the service life of the system elements.
Do not use washing units with a high-pressure water jet to wash the condenser. This can lead to damage to the thin-walled fin plates.
Even with regular washing, the need to replace the condenser arises much more often than we would like.
The fact is that it is the first to take on the flow of anti-icing agents, dirt and pebbles from the road. And the walls of the tubes are thin.
In most cases, the condenser is damaged by corrosion in the third or fourth year of operation.
If the condenser's tightness is compromised as a result of corrosion, then repairing it will be more expensive.
Even if an argon welding specialist manages to patch the hole, a leak may soon appear in another place. By the way, the pressure in the system on hot days can reach 25-28 bar.
In addition, you should take into account the complex structure of the condenser tube: it is divided into channels by partitions along the length, so there is a high probability that after welding, some of the channels will be blocked.
Accordingly, the dissipated power will drop and the operation of the air conditioner will deteriorate, especially in traffic jams and in hot weather.
After each experiment with patching the condenser, you will need to pay for removal and installation, welding of the condenser and filling the system with refrigerant.
So it is better to immediately install a new condenser. Instead of an expensive original, you can easily buy a cheaper condenser from authorized manufacturers of spare parts.
Removing and installing the condenser
To complete the task, you will need the following keys: 7 key; Torx T30; 10 socket head; pliers; flat-blade screwdriver; container for draining liquid.
Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
Remove the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, as indicated in the article "bleeding the refrigerant"
Remove the front bumper (article - How to remove the bumpers of the Lada Largus car)
Remove the radiator deflector (article - How to replace the radiator of the Lada Largus car)
Using a 10 mm head, unscrew the bolt securing the flange of the tube and disconnect the high-pressure pipe from the condenser.
Remove the sealing ring from the pipe
With the head on 10 unscrew the bolt
Disconnect the compressor tube from the condenser
Remove the sealing ring from the tube
Using a 7 head, unscrew the four screws securing the condenser to the radiator of the cooling system
Having lifted the condenser on the right side, we remove the condenser bracket from the holder on the radiator of the cooling system. We also remove the bracket on the left side of the condenser
Removing the condenser
Installing the condenser
Installing the condenser in the reverse order.
Before installation, you need to add compressor oil to the condenser in the amount according to the table in the article - "Bleeding and filling the air conditioning system of the Lada Largus with refrigerant"
Insert the condenser into the radiator frame opening and install its supports into the mounting points in the radiator body
Remove the plugs from the tubes and condenser and install new sealing rings on the tubes
Apply Sanden SP 10 compressor oil to the sealing rings
Connect the tubes to the condenser fittings and secure with bolts. Tightening torque of the tube bolts is 8 Nm
Install the air deflector
Install the front bumper
After that, we vacuum the system and fill it with refrigerant
Check the air conditioning system for refrigerant leaks
Check the air conditioning system.