Ridiculous price quoted

My A/C condenser has gone after just over a year. Symptoms were the compressor clutch not engaging and a screwdriver test (fingers out the way) in the low pressure valve confirmed not a bit of pressure. Out with the UV light in the dark and bright green all along the lower half of the 'new' condenser. Phoned local LR specialist who quoted,

...sit down everyone....

£250 + VAT for a Britpart condenser

"It's difficult to fit" so 3 hours labour

and a re-gas.

In other words £700.

I know I can get a new unit for £100 and I read on here at the end of last year that it's only a half hour fit. Re-gas even with a Nitrogen test at the garage I normally use, and who did the Jaguar condenser two years ago, is about £70.

Any recommendation for which condenser to go for, or where to get it?

I bought one of those £100 ish units from Ebay about 4 years ago and it's still working fine.
Previously, I got through two new condensers in 3years.
Usual place for them to go is at the top L.H. corner (When fitted) on the serpentine "U" bend, due to thinning of the tube caused by the sharp bend.

Not sure what type of vehicle it is but I fitted a new condenser to my P38 last Summer. I was amazed at the range of prices - anything from £60 -£300. I opted for one around £70 hoping the 2yr warranty was an indication of a decent level of quality. So far I have no probs (Fingers crossed etc.).
Fitting it was no problem although you do have to remove the front bumber which looks more daunting than it really is. Total removal and installation was probably less than1.5hrs.
WHen I did mine Kwikfit were doing a recharge for £49 and if it didn't work for any reason you didn't pay - I used them as my free of charge fault finder.

I'll get it Nitrogen filled and squirt soapy water about and see for definite where it is away but I think in any event it's going to be an ebay job. It is quite an easy fit isn't it?

I didn't remove the bumper to access the bottom bolts. Used a 1/4 drive long extension bar. Upper bolts are easy to access after the slam panel has been swung out of the way.

Take about an hour to remove/refit.
New "O" rings should be supplied with the condenser for the inlet/outlet pipes.

hippolover said:

I'll get it Nitrogen filled and squirt soapy water about and see for definite where it is away but I think in any event it's going to be an ebay job. It is quite an easy fit isn't it?

Click to expand...

No,not always - depends on the threads being OK on the nuts.Not a pleasant job but does NOT need the bumper removing.The cheap ones I have been asked to fit have not lasted out of warranty or been so out of square I refused to fit them.The best deal I have seen is a genuine valeo one,cant remember the price but came with new fans and fitted perfectly.A test with an HC sniffer is a good idea after a vac/recharge.

It's a 2000, P38 4.0

It was done only a year past November so the bolts should be reasonable so here's hoping. Must check whether it was one or two years for the warranty in which case it could cost me a lot less although it will most likely have been one year.

Got new condenser (Hella) and set about taking off the old one today. Grille, landing panel, etc. Top fan bolts, bottom bolts with long extension but just can't get to the lower fan bolts. Is this bumper going to have to come off or can I get through a gap somewhere? While I was down there I did manage to fit new rubbers to the headlamp wipers, just trimmed down an old blade and crimped the lugs on the arms.

Just had a thought, the little lugs on the side panels of the condenser are bolted to something - remove them and the whole lot slides upwards then get to them or am I way off?

Done it, simple. Top brackets first, disconnect pipe unions then the fan plugs, lift and it's out. 10 minutes. Back in took a little longer as the little mounting lug hole beside the lower mounting bolt needed elongated slightly. Do it up and bingo. Less than an hour even allowing for the file work. Where do 'specialists' get this "2.3 hours but we'll just charge 3 from?" Just needs a re-gas now, Kwik Fit is open on a Sunday so I'll wait until later in the week and go somewhere else.