General Cross condenser replacement

[timmycm850]

I was asked to look at a 59 plate black 1.2 with a variety of noised/issues.

One was the aircon not working very well at all. I looked through the holes in the bumper to find at least the bottom 10 or 12 horizontal bars flailing in the wind, it didn't seem to have any gas leakage just next to no surface are left, further up there were some but that's not in such good airflow.

 

[Eltezz]

When I changed mine earlier this year, after all the fixings and pipework were disconnected and I removed it from the support of the car, it started to fall to bits in my hands. However, all the gas ducting was fine - only the sections of cooling fins were falling out and crumbling. In my opinion, after examining it, the cause is simply salt corrosion. The gas ducting will last longer as it is thicker than the fragile fin sections. The only way to stop this corrosion is to protect the condenser from salt. You can't block airflow to it for obvious reasons so all you can really do is keep it rinsed off regulary during the winter. Mine had not suffered any mechanical damage, by the way.

 

[timmycm850]

As a matter of interest, how did you deal with the regas of the system, also are you happy with the results

 

[Eltezz]

I had the gas removed by a local garage as I knew I would be taking the entire front of the car off in order to do extensive work on the engine. The garage gave me a small discount when I took the car back for regassing. Air temperatures out of the uppers vents post gassing were 8 degrees C so I am pretty happy with that. Although, I have to admit, I didn't think the aircon was bad in any way before hand. I never thought to measure it though so will never know the difference, if any.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

When I changed mine earlier this year, after all the fixings and pipework were disconnected and I removed it from the support of the car, it started to fall to bits in my hands. However, all the gas ducting was fine - only the sections of cooling fins were falling out and crumbling. In my opinion, after examining it, the cause is simply salt corrosion. The gas ducting will last longer as it is thicker than the fragile fin sections. The only way to stop this corrosion is to protect the condenser from salt. You can't block airflow to it for obvious reasons so all you can really do is keep it rinsed off regulary during the winter. Mine had not suffered any mechanical damage, by the way.

Im a firm believer in the benefit of a simple but thorough rinse of parts of a car you can’t normally see (with just a hose, or a pressure washer). Washing away winter salt in particular is the best time spent, under the arches, inside the subframes, around the spring seats etc, and of course the radiator and a/c condenser

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Compulsory kit if you run an MX5 Mk2/2.5

Amazon.co.uk

 

[benmac]

Yep, one of the first things I did with mine was a good underside clean, especially up under the wheel arch lips. Managed to get out a couple of tons of decent quality topsoil! I've also got one of these which is great for the underside and again I was amazed at the filth that came off the first time I used it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pressure-Dual-Function-Undercarriage-Underbody-Extension/dp/B0B5DJXM7L/ref=asc_df_B0B5DJXM7L/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=720662683563169307&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9190194&hvtargid=pla-2281435177658&mcid=c9f4617d236e389a9e9a71bc0a57c4d6&hvocijid=720662683563169307-B0B5DJXM7L-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1&th=1

 

[The Panda Nut]

The bits that crumble are ‘only’ there to disapate heat, so it shouldn’t leak as the actual tubes are still in tact.

I wonder if some mastic carefully applied would prolong the life holding things together. I hope the old criumbly rads have been improved. Ruby is now 10 and hers is still OK so there is at least a bit of hope. I like you believe in rinsing salt off regularly using the power washer on its gentlest setting though.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Compulsory kit if you run an MX5 Mk2/2.5

Amazon.co.uk

That is a useful thing!

 

[vexorg]

I tend to treat the condenser as a consumable, and just expect to replace it after x years.

 

[KPat]

This one is 10 years old. Looks alright to me.

 

[jrkitching]

This one is 10 years old. Looks alright to me.

Look alright to me too.

I've seen ones 10 months old that look worse than that

 

[Eltezz]

This one is 10 years old. Looks alright to me.

If you zoom in on your picture you can quite clearly see the bottom row of fins are separating from the channel above…

 

[timmycm850]

It's probably lost about 2% efficiency at most, if that's all you have to worry about then can you tell me your secret please.

 

[Eltezz]

Secret for what? The only point I am making is that nearly every Panda I have looked at with an original condenser on it over about 5 years old has signs of corrosion and or droop in the bottom section of the finning. Including yours. I didn't suggest it makes the aircon any less effective.

 

[timmycm850]

Your secret to having only your condenser bottom row to worry about, nothing else in life to worry about, I wish