A/C Condenser

Mpost26 · August 18, 2019

Has anyone had to add tranny fluid after the condenser change?

Sierra 14 · August 18, 2019

11 hours ago, Mpost26 said:

Has anyone had to add tranny fluid after the condenser change?

I added a little just because I knew I lost some. According to the dipstick I didn't need to add any.

Mpost26 · August 19, 2019

14 hours ago, Sierra 14 said:

I added a little just because I knew I lost some. According to the dipstick I didn't need to add any.

Yea I figured. I changed my condenser after a tranny drain/fill. Fast forward a few months my tranny has a hard shift from 2nd-3rd. It has been doing it for a couple weeks so I finally checked the fluid level and it’s low low. Like don’t drive low but I have no signs of a leak anywhere. I have an appointment at the dealership tomorrow and have a feeling that they going to say it my fault. I think they didn’t add enough fluid.

Snoringbear · August 19, 2019

On 8/18/2019 at 8:21 AM, Sierra 14 said:

I added a little just because I knew I lost some. According to the dipstick I didn't need to add any.

I’m confused, why would you loose tranny fluid when changing the condenser? And about the dipstick; where the heck is it? I can’t find it and am under the impression there isn’t one and the tranny is factory sealed. Lastly, how did you add fluid and where? Eager to learn...

ksiesel · August 19, 2019

16 minutes ago, Snoringbear said:

I’m confused, why would you loose tranny fluid when changing the condenser? And about the dipstick; where the heck is it? I can’t find it and am under the impression there isn’t one and the tranny is factory sealed. Lastly, how did you add fluid and where? Eager to learn...

The condenser is also a transmission cooler. It has two flow circuits in the same component so you’re going to lose a small amount of ATF when you remove the condenser.

As to the dipstick, my understanding is that the 6 speed has a dipstick in the K2 trucks, but the 8 speed does not. On the 8 speed, there is a stand pipe on the plug in the pan and you fill through that pipe, but only after the fluid is up to temp and with the engine running on a level surface.

Sierra Dan · August 19, 2019

20 minutes ago, Snoringbear said:

I’m confused, why would you loose tranny fluid when changing the condenser? And about the dipstick; where the heck is it? I can’t find it and am under the impression there isn’t one and the tranny is factory sealed. Lastly, how did you add fluid and where? Eager to learn...

Because the condenser works for the a/c system and is also a transmission cooler.

The transmission cooler lines are located on top of the condenser on both driver/passenger side. They are held in by clips.

If you take the condenser out carefully, you can transfer the existing condenser transmission fluid over to the new unit which is what I did.

Edited August 19, 2019 by Sierra Dan

Frankielozano214 · August 19, 2019

16 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Because the condenser works for the a/c system and is also a transmission cooler.

The transmission cooler lines are located on top of the condenser on both driver/passenger side. They are held in by clips.

If you take the condenser out carefully, you can transfer the existing condenser transmission fluid over to the new unit which is what I did.

Don’t they do that when they vacuum and recharge your AC system?

Sierra Dan · August 19, 2019

5 minutes ago, Frankielozano214 said:

Don’t they do that when they vacuum and recharge your AC system?

I replaced the condenser myself for around $200 all in.

Didn't want to pay a shop $700-$1200

Pulling a vacuum only involves Freon, not transmission fluid

The A/C and Transmission lines are separate.

Frankielozano214 · August 19, 2019

51 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

I replaced the condenser myself for around $200 all in.

Didn't want to pay a shop $700-$1200

Pulling a vacuum only involves Freon, not transmission fluid

The A/C and Transmission lines are separate.

I had a shop installing the condenser including vacuuming and recharging my AC system as it leaked it all out 80$, the part was like 170$ But didn’t have to come out of pocket for any of it. If I would of had to paid still seem like a reasonable price. 700$-1200$ I would of probably kept looking for a different shop

carnau · August 22, 2019

On 8/19/2019 at 2:51 PM, Sierra Dan said:

I replaced the condenser myself for around $200 all in.

Didn't want to pay a shop $700-$1200

Pulling a vacuum only involves Freon, not transmission fluid

The A/C and Transmission lines are separate.

That's right. The ac and transmission lines are separate, but the transmission cooler is in the condenser so it is good to add 1/4qt of fluid just to top off the condenser.

Sierra Dan · August 22, 2019

14 minutes ago, carnau said:

That's right. The ac and transmission lines are separate, but the transmission cooler is in the condenser so it is good to add 1/4qt of fluid just to top off the condenser.

I added fluid to the new condenser from the old condenser, as my transmission fluid had just been changed a few months earlier.

I saw no need to go buy a quart just to use some of it when there was already fluid from the factory condenser that would work fine.

Truston Gunter · August 29, 2019

I have a 2015 LTZ Z71 with 41,100 miles and seems like I am leaking refrigerant from the condenser. Really sad that this truck is having these kinda issues and of course, no help from the dealership. Warranty expired May of 2019

Frankielozano214 · August 29, 2019

14 minutes ago, Truston Gunter said:

I have a 2015 LTZ Z71 with 41,100 miles and seems like I am leaking refrigerant from the condenser. Really sad that this truck is having these kinda issues and of course, no help from the dealership. Warranty expired May of 2019

Same spot mine was leaking from I bought a aftermarket condenser price “179$“ , vacuum and recharge 80$ With installation, AC IS ICE COLD AGAIN

hope u get it fix man I know it sucks having the windows down too damn hot out here especially over here in Texas not sure where your from.

Truston Gunter · August 29, 2019

Yup, I'm located in corpus so its definitely too hott!!! Prolly attempt to do the repair myself, great prices from rockauto but do I purchase OEM ac delco or go aftermarket?

Frankielozano214 · August 29, 2019

Oh I went aftermarket just cuz I got it for really really good deal “free” lol my mother law works at auto parts place so I didn’t have to come out of pocket, I think the OEM just has a piece of havc tape on the corner area where it tends to leak at kinda like a heat shield.