Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

alfamike on Thu September 23, 2010 1:12 AM

Year: 1995
Make: Chevy
Model: Suburban
Engine Size: 6.5
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Ambient Temp: N/A
Pressure Low: N/A
Pressure High: N/A
Country of Origin: United States

I'm replacing the condenser in my Suburban due to a compressor failure. The replacement condenser from my parts vendor is a pflow unit whereas the original is not. The pflow unit was made for this application. It fits perfectly. However, I know that the amount of refrigerant in the system will need to be reduced.

I'd like to know if anyone has direct experience with this unit. Failing that, what is a good rule of thumb for adjusting the charge level for a pflow condenser?

Thanks,

Michael Keith
Houston, TX

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Michael Keith
Houston, TX

SeppW on Thu September 30, 2010 8:05 PM

I don't think there would be a reduction in refrigerant because of condenser type. I have '95 K1500 5.7L Burb w/ rear air and I recently replaced the entire front circuit. The replacement AC Delco condenser was a true parallel flow-type I got from the dealer. The original was a serpentine. The parallel wasn't an exact fit, slightly smaller than original, and dealer parts lists required 2 top insulators for the install (slightly larger than original). I would think there would be no difference in a gasser or diesel rig. My system called for 4 lbs of refrigerant. Your's? Had some issues while leak checking with nitrogen, so after some advice to charge system with required refrigerant, I haven't been able to detect leaks with a sniffer and system is working fine. It is operating within specs of a humidity-based pressure/temperature chart that came with gauges.

Edited: Thu September 30, 2010 at 8:10 PM by SeppW

Chick on Thu September 30, 2010 9:23 PM

Put the factory charge back in (after pulling a deep vacuum) and you should be fine, the condenser is just more efficient and will help with your cooling...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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