So it turns out I have a hole in my condenser. Local service guy tells me the part is $575 - ouch - and installation will be $240 or so plus freon fill, etc. I see that I can buy a condenser for much less than that. How difficult is the replacement? Am I better off having an a/c guy do the job?

 

there is also a dryer,? that they say should be replaced when the system has been opened a while.. then it should be evacuated with vacume. by a pro.


having said that, I once converted an old Freon system to the new stuff by adding the new connector, repairing a bad garter spring connector, buttoned it up and added 2 cans of new juice no vacume,nothing.
years later when I sold it , it would still freeze you out.
a friend who guided me once bought a compressor at a junk yard and fixed his the same way!


it wont hurt to do it yourself.

 

Receiver is part of the condenser.. 2hrs labor to r&r the condenser, with the right tools. Don't need to remove radiator.
1-Remove the evap tube from the condenser.
2-Remove the discharge hose from the condenser.
3- Remove the fan shroud.
4-Remove the radiator support bracket bolt, condenser assembly stud, condenser assembly bolt(tilt the radiator towards the rear of the vehicle to access the right condenser bolt).
5-Tilt the radiator towards the rear of the vehicle to remove the condenser.
Add some pag oil before connecting, or have some added when evac and recharge is performed. Take it to a shop for an evac & recharge, Should be around $100.00..

There is a new condenser on ebay $76.97 shipped... GL

Replacement Air Condition AC A C Condenser Condensor for 3 5 3 7 5 3 L5 V8 Gas | eBay

 

Thanks HummerZ.