A Quick Guide For Buying Car AC Condenser
The condenser of a car is a heat exchanger responsible for reducing the refrigerant temperature during the condensation process. Heat is removed from the refrigerant to maintain lower interior temperatures. The condenser is located in front of the radiator. Considering its crucial role, it needs special attention as any damage to it may result in a malfunctioning of the air conditioning system. This buying guide aims to make your condenser buying process more informed so you can choose the right part for your vehicle.
1 What Is An AC Condenser and Where is it Located?
A condenser is a critical component, positioned between the car’s grille and the engine-cooling radiator, of your car’s air conditioner system and acts as a heat exchanger used to convert high-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid. Simply put, the condenser works to reduce the refrigerant’s temperature at the time of the condensation process and absorbs the heat present in the refrigerant. The refrigerant is a chemical compound used in your car’s air conditioner, which absorbs heat and provides cool air in the vehicle cabin.
Top Picks For AC Condensers
2 What Type Of AC Condensers Should I Choose?
In the Automotive industry, there are mainly three types of AC condensers in vehicles’ ventilation systems- serpentine, tube, and fin, and the most popular parallel flow condenser.
Tube And Fin Condensers
A tube and fin condenser has copper tubes bonded to aluminum fins, with direct metallic contact between the pipe and fin, the thermal efficiency increases. Fin louvers improve heat transfer capabilities. As a result, better performance is achieved with this design.
Serpentine Condensers
In serpentine condensers, corrugated aluminum fins are fused to the serpentine tube during the manufacturing process, and refrigerant flows from the upper inlet to the bottom outlet through a single flat tube. They are used where under-hood space is limited, especially in smaller front-wheel-drive vehicles. They are more efficient than tube and fin style condensers. Its all-aluminum construction provides durability, resistance to corrosion, and superior tube-to-fin bonding.
Parallel Flow Condensers
In parallel flow condensers, the refrigerant flows from the upper inlet to the bottom outlet through parallel tubes. Parallel flow condenser offers many advantages as its brazed, all-aluminum construction is very durable, resists corrosion, and provides added efficiency. However, the downside is that this unit is not cleanable and must be replaced when the system is contaminated.
3 What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying An AC Condenser?
A. Compatibility
Vehicle compatibility is one of the most important factors to be considered while purchasing, as the condensers are vehicle specific. You can check the make and model of the car on our website before buying. Condenser fins may be made of brass, aluminium, or copper. Brass and copper do an excellent job of cooling, but aluminium resists decay and corrosion.
B. Choosing The Right Material
There are two types of condensers based on the construction material of the coils used in it. The first one is the Copper condenser, and the second one is the aluminium condenser. Aluminium condensers are cheaper than copper condensers. But you may need to pay more for maintenance, if your AC has aluminium condensers in it as they have a short life expectancy. In contrast, copper condensers are a bit costlier than aluminium ones but have more life expectancy.
4 Which Brand AC Condensers Should I Choose?
Spectra Premium AC Condensers
Spectra Premium is a privately owned company that produces and distributes cooling systems, fuel delivery, engine and ignition controls, climate control and automotive parts, and light and heavy vehicles. A team of over 1,300 dedicated staff works with Spectra Premium. The organization owns and operates five manufacturing plants, 16 warehouses, and a distribution network in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Condenser Part Number: 7-4283, 7-3782, 7-3525, and more.
Features:
- Condensers are nitrogen leak-tested to ensure being leak-free and damage-free.
- High-density fins are designed for maximum cooling efficiency.
- Manufactured with heavy gauge mounting brackets to reduce movement and vibration.
- It is manufactured with precise mounting holes and brackets to ensure ease of installation.
- OE design to ensure exact fit, form, and function for an easy drop-in installation.
For more information, visit the Spectra Premium AC Condensers section.
Denso AC Condensers
The DENSO brand is focused on superb quality, reliability and value than any other maker. The quality of products is assured because each product that leaves a DENSO factory is correctly engineered, produced to or above the strictest OE requirements. Ultimately everything depends on the quality for which DENSO’s name stands.
Condenser Part Number: 477-0618, 477-0506, 477-0550, 477-0512 and more.
Features:
- High-Efficiency Aluminum
- Lightweight Construction
- The zinc diffusion layer improves corrosion resistance.
- Unique fin design to minimize airflow blockage
- High-performance design reduces the required compressor power.
- System Efficiency – Superior fin waves provide a higher heat transfer coefficient and full condensation.
- Engineered to Perfection – OE quality engineered for unparalleled performance.
For more information, visit the Denso AC Condensers section.
BTK AC Condensers
BTK Canada Inc. is a Toronto-based auto parts warehouse distributor in Canada specializing in automotive cooling and air conditioning after-market parts. As a reliable supplier, they serve their customers with extensive and comprehensive inventories of excellent quality and the best pricing in the Canadian market. BTK believes that continuous improvement of their products, processes, services and skills will provide long-term success and values to their customers.
Condenser Part Number: C3396, C3755, C3995, and more.
Features:
- OE quality standard with a reasonable price
- Perfect fit
- Best quality material used.
- Installation is quick and easy into the original location.
- The vehicle can get back to factory specification with the help of this part.
For more information, visit the BTK AC Condensers section.
Four Seasons AC Condensers
Four Seasons is a division of Standard Motor Products. It manufactures and distributes a comprehensive line of replacement climate control products. It is the biggest aftermarket mobile climate control parts supplier in the industry and the world’s largest compressor remanufacturer. The climate control division also offers ignition, emissions controls, wire and cable, electrical, and fuel delivery components.
Condenser Part Number: 40732, 41004, 41069, 41023, 40999 and more.
Features:
- Four Seasons condenser brackets are ribbed to increase strength and rigidity for mounting and component support.
- All Four Seasons integral oil coolers are designed to match the O.E. configuration precisely in form, fit, and function.
- Condenser side members are “U” shaped to increase rigidity and protection against fin damage from excessive stress.
For more information, visit the Four Seasons AC Condensers section.
Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) AC Condensers
Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) has been backed by more than 100 years of experience. They design, engineer, manufacture, and distribute over 40,000 of the highest quality engine management products in some of the most advanced-technology categories.
Condenser Part Number: DR60, FD77, AL111, DR90, DR70, and more.
Features:
- They are manufactured with precision to ensure ease of installation.
- Provides you with an excellent After Sales Service and warranty.
- They offer the most competitive prices for the best quality parts.
For more information, visit Blue Streak AC Condensers section.
5 What Are The Signs Of A Damaged AC Condenser?
When the AC condenser begins to fail, it will manifest specific symptoms that you should be able to spot.
Warm Air From AC Vents
Warm air is the first sign that appears when something terrible happens to the A/C condenser. This problem arises when the condenser is broken during a crash, dirt and debris are accumulated in the condenser coils, or leakage of the refrigerant leads to a reduction in the cooling effect.
Structural Damage To Condenser
The condenser is located outside the front of the car and could be damaged and stop functioning correctly during a collision or impact, leading to a reduction in cabin cooling. It is recommended to properly check the condenser for damage after an incident.
Refrigerant Leakage
The damage due to dirt or debris can cause a leak leading to the breaking down of the whole system. Although it can be quite challenging to see leaks from the condenser and its coils, you can check leaks with a UV flashlight or by adding colored dye along with refrigerant in the system.
6 How Much Will It Cost Me For A New AC Condenser?
The cost of replacing the car AC condenser can vary depending on what kind of vehicle you have, like the make, model, and year and whether the other parts of the air conditioning system also need repairs or replacements. The average price of a car AC condenser costs between $ 5 and $ 530.
Spectra Premium AC Condenser – Part Number Catalog
| Category | Part Numbers |
| Spectra Premium AC Condensers | 7-3594, 7-3094, 7-3689, 7-3886, 7-3591, 7-3986, 7-3586, 7-3894, 7-3675, 7-3682, 7-3789 |
Denso AC Condenser – Part Number Catalog
| Category | Part Numbers |
| Denso AC Condensers | 477-0574, 477-0629, 477-0500, 477-0634, 477-0576, 477-0624, 477-0575, 477-0613, 477-0573, 477-0794, 477-0626, 477-0562 |
BTK AC Condenser – Part Number Catalog
| Category | Part Numbers |
| BTK AC Condensers | C3869, C4165, C3246, C30008, C3284, C3682 C3575, C3082, C4227, C3323, C4277, C3279 |
Four Seasons AC Condenser – Part Number Catalog
| Category | Part Numbers |
| Four Seasons AC Condensers | 41003, 40000, 41061, 41076, 40998, 41031, 41051, 41018, 40052, 41000, 41014, 41015 |
Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) AC Condenser – Part Number Catalog
| Category | Part Numbers |
| Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) AC Condensers | FD75, AL118, GB136, DR50, JC33, GB160, IH120, JC34, IH121, LU207, GB139, GB141 |
Can I Replace my Car AC Condenser Myself?
Replacing a car’s air conditioning condenser is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge and tools. If you have experience working with car engines and air conditioning systems, you may be able to replace the condenser yourself. However, if you are not familiar with the process, it is recommended to have a professional mechanic inspect and replace the condenser for you.
