A/C Condenser

Sierra Dan · May 9, 2019

It is suppose to be better.

From what I can tell where the cooling fins meet the dryer on the right there is not any difference. Just the addition of tape.

Maybe the welds are beefier.

However, some aftermarket condensers are welded up the entire joint or have more attachment points.

reelbusy · May 9, 2019

17 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

Good point.

2015 and up Tahoe, Yukon & Suburban all have the same condenser as K2 trucks I believe.

Probably Escalade as well.

yeah their forums all have similar threads like this one =)

I'd just go after market as long as it's a good brand and not worry about it. I put a denso in the van (75 bucks!) works great. Even if you didn't have this issue by 100k or so you could have

gotten a rock into the coils and developed a leak there they're kinda out front and tend to have that happen but still yeah this is mass defect. Just make sure if you or someone else besides the dealer does it,

no stop leak or any of that mess in the freon...even once.

BrianBrianBrian · May 9, 2019

22 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

Most of the aftermarket condensers still seem to be made better than the "updated" GM version and at half the cost.

You can still do this yourself as others have suggested for probably less than $200 all in.

$400 with GM assistance is still double the true cost if you ask me. But, the Techs have to get paid I guess.

I agree! Normally I'd be all over this project and DIY it. The pickle for me however, 2 and 4yr old girls are daily passengers not to mention finding the time to work on it.

Snoringbear · May 10, 2019

On 5/8/2019 at 9:46 AM, Sierra Dan said:

The "Goodwill" program or policy is a blessing in disguise.

I do not know the whole story behind it but Goodwill saved me $3500 back in 2008.

I had an 05 Avalanche and my 4L60E transmission failed at 42K miles, beyond my standard 3/36 warranty and I had no extension.

When the service advisor called me and said that he had good news and bad news on my transmission I asked what is the bad news?

He said you are out an 02 sensor. I said what is the good news.

He said your getting a new transmission courtesy of GM via the Goodwill program and it would cost nothing.

So it is good to hear that in certain situations the Goodwill program is still given out today.

I have asked for “Good Will” compensation a few times over the years. It’s a negotiated amount, sometimes offered at the dealer level and sometimes at the corporate level. I’ve had the best results when I’ve used a reasoned approach. Basically, you’re saying to the dealer or corporate rep “our relationship is worth preserving if you’ll work with me”. In turn, they are making the same assessment about you. So, if you go in guns blazing with kick-ass attitude your chances of generating any “Good Will” relief is about zero. No need to suck up, just be reasonable and mind your manners. Mama said ?....

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

25 minutes ago, Snoringbear said:

I have asked for “Good Will” compensation a few times over the years. It’s a negotiated amount, sometimes offered at the dealer level and sometimes at the corporate level. I’ve had the best results when I’ve used a reasoned approach. Basically, you’re saying to the dealer or corporate rep “our relationship is worth preserving if you’ll work with me”. In turn, they are making the same assessment about you. So, if you go in guns blazing with kick-ass attitude your chances of generating any “Good Will” relief is about zero. No need to suck up, just be reasonable and mind your manners. Mama said ?....

The amazing aspect of my Goodwill experience back in '08 was that it did not cost me a dime to replace the 4L60E in my avalanche.

Perhaps some of the Goodwill discretion comes as how much of a loyal GM owner you are?

My Dad retired from GM after nearly 35 years and by '08 I had owned 4 GM trucks dating back to '94.

So in my case that could have had a bearing on the outcome. I doubt this happens in todays world where one receives a major repair free.

Snoringbear · May 10, 2019

36 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

The amazing aspect of my Goodwill experience back in '08 was that it did not cost me a dime to replace the 4L60E in my avalanche.

Perhaps some of the Goodwill discretion comes as how much of a loyal GM owner you are?

My Dad retired from GM after nearly 35 years and by '08 I had owned 4 GM trucks dating back to '94.

So in my case that could have had a bearing on the outcome. I doubt this happens in todays world where one receives a major repair free.

I have a BA in Economics, accounting thru Cost (GI Bill plus night shift at a truck stop); anyway, Good Will is a line-item expense that’s forecasted and budgeted on many P&L’s. So, obviously use of Good Will money is reserved for issues that have a high probability outcome such as with you and your family. That’s why I made an earlier post about relationship management. I’ve managed accounts both as a supplier and a customer and have found that there’s usually a positive result, either way, to leave the other party with their dignity. Just my two bits lol ? ....

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

Well stated Bear!

My personal opinion on warranty work or non-warranty defective parts for that matter:

If Mary Barra can be paid 21.96 million dollars a year by GM, then GM can and should give out a few thousand

free $100 A/C Condensers and Vacuum Pumps knowing they are sub-par components to begin with!

Then both parties can be left with dignity

Snoringbear · May 10, 2019

26 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

Well stated Bear!

My personal opinion on warranty work or non-warranty defective parts for that matter:

If Mary Barra can be paid 21.96 million dollars a year by GM, then GM can and should give out a few thousand

free $100 A/C Condensers and Vacuum Pumps knowing they are sub-par components to begin with!

Then both parties can be left with dignity

Thanks. Personally, I think the condenser failure problem occurred frequently enough to justify a recall or extend the warranty on it out to perhaps 7 yrs/100k miles. Fortunately for me my condenser failed around the two year 28,000 mile marker. So, got a new one plus loaner use. Because this is/was a specific easily identifiable problem (vs mysterious Chevy Shake) I would have liked for GM to take the same approach that Hyundai took with their Sonata engines that had crank shaft machining problems, apparently shavings were left when Oiler holes were drilled. Anyway, my daughter has a Sonata with this problem and got a new (not a rebuilt) engine top and bottom with extended warranty out to 12 years/120k.

Just a side-note my condenser went out while towing my 6,000 lb TT down to Big Bend. Also blew out my TT AC unit. But hey, it was only 117 degrees. But, my wife, having her A game on booked us at Lajitas Resort and Spa. Kinda toasty driving back to DFW though ?...

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

So someone give me a run down on recharging the system. Maybe it has already been explained in thorough but I must have missed it on one of these threads.

And there only seem to be YouTube vids of the Condenser replacement only and not the vacuum/recharge procedure.

Once the new condenser is in and everything buttoned back up do you hook up and pull vaccum 1st or do you have to add PAG oil into the system then pull vacuum then recharge?

I know the big box auto parts stores have PAG oil. Is 46 sufficient?

Vacuum, add in about 2-3 ounces PAG 46 oil with compressor running then top off with Freon?

This analytical mind wants to know!

reelbusy · May 11, 2019

7 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

So someone give me a run down on recharging the system. Maybe it has already been explained in thorough but I must have missed it on one of these threads.

And there only seem to be YouTube vids of the Condenser replacement only and not the vacuum/recharge procedure.

Once the new condenser is in and everything buttoned back up do you hook up and pull vaccum 1st or do you have to add PAG oil into the system then pull vacuum then recharge?

I know the big box auto parts stores have PAG oil. Is 46 sufficient?

Vacuum, add in about 2-3 ounces PAG 46 oil with compressor running then top off with Freon?

This analytical mind wants to know!

you will add a few ounces of pag oil into the new condenser line openings (1-2), install condenser (new o-rings preferably) pull vac, sit , recharge. Chrisfix on youtube has a pretty good popular tutorial. for pag i'm not sure what gm specifies but for our honda i used double end capped https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HPWBGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stick with what i mentioned in my other post avoid the new self sealing freon cans as that adaptor just confuses the crap out of you. amazon has some dupont r134 that went really easy.

Sierra Dan · May 13, 2019

On 5/10/2019 at 10:56 PM, reelbusy said:

you will add a few ounces of pag oil into the new condenser line openings (1-2), install condenser (new o-rings preferably) pull vac, sit , recharge. Chrisfix on youtube has a pretty good popular tutorial. for pag i'm not sure what gm specifies but for our honda i used double end capped https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HPWBGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stick with what i mentioned in my other post avoid the new self sealing freon cans as that adaptor just confuses the crap out of you. amazon has some dupont r134 that went really easy.

Sounds good. Thanks for the input

BIGDOGx · May 13, 2019

Well sure enough went to turn the a/c on this last saturday and after 5-10 minutes of driving i had nothing but outside air temps through the vents. Looks like that extended warranty i purchased is about to pay for itself. Not sure what the issue is but i'm sure it's either the condenser or the compressor, in either case gm will be picking up the tab or they better as i believe should be covered under a gmpp.

mn camper guy · May 13, 2019

What is the bracket part number I have seen mentioned a couple times? My dad's condenser went out on '14 Silverado.

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BIGDOGx · May 16, 2019

On 5/13/2019 at 4:04 PM, BIGDOGx said:

Well sure enough went to turn the a/c on this last saturday and after 5-10 minutes of driving i had nothing but outside air temps through the vents. Looks like that extended warranty i purchased is about to pay for itself. Not sure what the issue is but i'm sure it's either the condenser or the compressor, in either case gm will be picking up the tab or they better as i believe should be covered under a gmpp.

Turns out i have a faulty evap core, service writer said my truck has two of them ?? Claimed the one in the back went bad, thinking he might be mistaken for maybe a suv, do the 14's have 2 evap cores? In any case for those on the fence with a newer or about to get new truck this little problem just made the money i spent on a extended gmpp pay off, one repair, i still have nearly 3 years left on it.

Edited May 16, 2019 by BIGDOGx

Sierra Dan · May 16, 2019

4 hours ago, BIGDOGx said:

Turns out i have a faulty evap core, service writer said my truck has two of them ?? Claimed the one in the back went bad, thinking he might be mistaken for maybe a suv, do the 14's have 2 evap cores? In any case for those on the fence with a newer or about to get new truck this little problem just made the money i spent on a extended gmpp pay off, one repair, i still have nearly 3 years left on it.

1 Evaporator..... #7 in diagram below