2G How to install AC condenser on 2g turbo?

[randizzle420]

My AC system was removed when I bought the car. How do I install the condenser? Is it only two bolts that hold it in at the top? Anyone know what size bolts they are and where the bolt holes are located? Also do I have to remove the radiator to put in the condenser?

 

[spyderdrifter]

You will need to unbolt the radiator to drop the condenser in, but not remove it. There are 2 tabs that the bolts drop through, but they thread into inserts on the condenser.

 

[waltah]

I've just pulled a condenser from a '95 turbo car. This is adapted from what the manual says about the REMOVAL job: Adapt as necessary to INSTALL.

1. Remove the radiator fan assembly (that's the passenger side one.)
2. Remove the A/C condenser fan assembly (other one.)
3. Remove the radiator overflow tank -- unhook the wire if it has one and pull straight up.
4. Remove the two brackets that hold the top of the radiator. (Four bolts)
5. Remove the refrigerant pipe from the condenser to the filter dryer cartridge. Be careful not to bend this as it's doweled on and you'll never get it back unless it's straight.
6. Unhook the discharge hose from the condenser.
7. Just below and forward of where the radiator brackets mounted are a pair of bolts with 12mm hex heads. They're slanted forward. These hold the top of the condenser -- remove them.
8. Push the top of the radiator back as far as possible without damaging it -- the manual recommends a piece of cardboard behind to protect it. You may need a helper to keep the radiator out of the way for the next step.
9. You can now tilt the top of the condenser back into the space vacated by the top of the radiator and lift it up behind the radiator support and out. However I didn't find this as easy as the manual makes it seem: You may find it useful to remove some of the brackets fastened to the corners of the condenser and/or to loosen the power steering pump adjustment bolts and push it back to gain extra space.

There are only two real condenser mounting bolts. I will measure those bolts and add that information tomorrow. The bottom two looks-like-a-mounting-bolt (hey, they fooled me) just hold together bushings that drop into holes -- no need to do anything to them.

Edited to fix glaring mistakes.

 

[waltah]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Top driver's end mounting bracket and bolt seen from the front -- you can't really see the tilt in this view. The bolt is M8-1.25x30mm. Like all the M8 bolts on these cars it has a 12 mm head which isn't the standard commercial practice these days.

If necessary to gain clearance the screw at the top can be taken out to remove this bracket.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Lower driver's end bracket. The bolt in the grommet just holds it together. Taking off the two M8 nuts will let you remove this bracket if necessary for clearance.

 

[Bedicine]

Just reviving this thread, i'm dealing with the same issue. Were you able to find the gromets that get bolted into? My local dealership cant find the part number.

 

[tschuhly]

Re-reviving this thread .

Should I be concerned with overheating issues if I'm running this as well as a FMIC? I'm envisioning it in my head and it seems that basically the whole front of the rad would be blocked by both of these combined.