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Crashed, need AC condenser recommendations

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by darkleafar, Jun 7, 2018.

  1. darkleafar

    darkleafar Member

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    I rear ended someone and I'm going through a body shop instead of insurance. However ac condenser was damaged and need to replace it. Auto zone sells one for a beautiful 470 dollars, while Amazon had them for 70 bucks. What am I missing here? I wanna buy something reliable.

    I've got a prius V three 2012
     
  2. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    My ac compressor had a short last november and caused a check hybrid system. I was able to pinpoint my problem using techstream. I bought my condensor from amazon for $50.99 mid november last year. Prices are up because it's summer i guess. Mine is still holding up well and came with negative vacuum. I replaced my ac compressor (used on ebay with 60k miles) condensor, 3 cans of r-134a and hybrid compressor oil all for 166$.

    If it can hold vacuum, it will hold refrigerant.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I should know better than to tangle with you sir, but anyway: something might be tight with vacuum applied, but not with pressure, ie: what was sucking in is now bulging out. And when bulging out it's more leak prone??

    Maybe in practice that's never gonna matter, but just a thought.
     
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  4. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    In hvac we pull vacuum for two reasons. It removes moisture from the system and ensures no leaks before adding refrigerant. I pull vacuum on the entire system when it is empty for about 30 min. High and low pressure gauges are left on for about 10 minutes to check to see if system holds negative vacuum before adding refrigerant. The condensor and ac lines are made of aluminum and will not bulge.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I was thinking too, vacuum was to evacuate the system. I've no experience with ac, just having a brain fart.
     
  6. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

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    Mine is still holding up well and came with negative vacuum.

    What is "negative vacuum"?
     
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  7. jjmerp

    jjmerp Junior Member

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    Got mine from Rock Auto $50.00

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.