05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In

working_man · Post by **working_man** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:44 pm

Hello,I bought my 05 new. Less than 5K miles and a deer ran into me at high speed - new hood, radiator, grille, condenser. So anyway, my A/C died last summer and the dealer took a look and wanted $1400 to replace the condenser and hose to compressor... So I started doing research to see how hard of a job this is. Which led me to here .Anyone have any advice?

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:54 pm

I did an AC replacement on my wife's cavy.First you have to take it to a shop to have the refrigerant evaquated. Then you can replace the lines, compressor, condensor(don't forget new oil).Once you have everything back in place. Take it back to the shop and have them do a leak check, if there are no leaks have them fill it.It cost me about 150bucks in parts, and a full day with the trips back and forth from the shop. And another 100bucks or so for the drain and fill of the system.

working_man · Post by **working_man** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:10 am

Hi Keith, I have read quite a few of your posts - good stuff, thanks for answering me. Since there is a crack in the condenser I should be able to skip the step on having the refrigerant evacuated - correct? I am hoping that the compressor is fine... I also found the links to the matrix site with the 04-07 Repair Manual. This job looks like it is within my competency levels .

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:21 am

There is usually a tiny bit left in the system. I am going the legal route and say do it anyways. But to check if there is any left in the system it's. Find the low port on the system (it's labeled). It's right on the top of the engine on the main part of the one hose. remove the cap and press in the valve. It's like a tire valve. If you hear a hiss. you will need a evap. If you hear no hiss... (((should be))) safe. But if someone catches you evaping what might be left to the air you can be fined big time. If you vent it and get caught doing it am not liable! lolI would recommend if your replacing just the condensor that you think about replacing all. Simply because it would cost you less in the long run. It's not a tough job, just time consuming.

05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In

05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In

Re: 05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In (working_man)

Re: 05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In (keithvibe)

Re: 05 AWD Vibe Owner Checking In (working_man)