I'm really lucky - radiator trouble

[TheBeast]

If you pick up a new condensor and install it the same instant, you'll have little service work. Just inject new oil and freon, otherwise you'll be just fine.

 

[kunar]

this thread is full of a bunch of bad info... the only thing i read that i agree with is this quote...

For starters, your A/C condenser took the hit, not the radiator. If the condenser does leak and all the freon is lost, the compressor will not work. Need a high enough pressure in the line for the A/C system to work. Also, the A/C is used in the winter to remove moisture from the air. So the inside windshield won't fog up. Problem with that, A/C doesn't work too well below 40*F outside temps.

And for kickers. Its cheaper to replace the radiator than the A/C condenser. Especially the servicing the A/C system will need after replacement.

if your a/c still runs, leave it alone. if its low on pressure, your compressor wont run. if you need to replace the condenser, youll have to replace the drier too, and have the system vacuumed of any moisture. if you try to hack it together yourself, your a/c wont work as well as it could/should, and you'll end up having someone else do it anyways. the only other thing i have to add is that you should be using a strap without hooks. today you learned why. it could have been worse, people have died from similar accidents.

 

[AllanD]

I'd disconnect it anyway. All it does is drain power and gas mileage, and does little to nothing. You'll be fine. Who the hell needs AC with snow on the ground.

Who wants it? Anyone who wants their defroster setting to work
at peak efficiency at clearing off interior fog.

warm air is nice warm DRY air is better.

My A/C is manually switched, and it makes a HUGE difference in how fast it defogs the windshield

It doesn't drain ANY power if you don't have it switched on and
actually very little when you do switch it on.

Worst case is his system looses it's referigerant and stops working,
which is WAY less a problem than a punctured radiator.

AD

 

[TheBeast]

Exactly. I can live without AC, but a leaky radiator is a disaster waiting to happen. I haven't had any issues disconnecting it. Doesn't make much of a difference in regards to the defrost. If I have to use it, I usually ride around with it on. Because of that, the AC compressor is kicking on and off. Maybe it's just my truck, but it is noticeable, so I disconnect the plug on the compressor. To each their own, I just know my way works, and it's worked for quite a while for me. (4-5 years).

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Who wants it? Anyone who wants their defroster setting to work
at peak efficiency at clearing off interior fog.

warm air is nice warm DRY air is better.

My A/C is manually switched, and it makes a HUGE difference in how fast it defogs the windshield

It doesn't drain ANY power if you don't have it switched on and
actually very little when you do switch it on.

Worst case is his system looses it's referigerant and stops working,
which is WAY less a problem than a punctured radiator.

AD

Only the last two vehicles I've owned have had AC. My first three cars didn't have it, and I made do. In the winter, the air is so cold and dry around here that windows don't really fog up. The problem is in the summer when its humid and rainy. But I made do before, so I'll make do again.

Anyway, that's even assuming that my AC system is bad. So far, everything seems to be running A-OK.

I'm actually very relieved that it's my AC system that is potentially damaged, not my cooling system. Although, at least if my cooling system went bust, I could fix it myself.

And this weekend I'll be stopping by Princess Auto and buying some clevisses and a tow strap with loops.