Can you clean out condenser tubes?

[pagrunt]

Since this has made me think about the supply/demand issues currently with finding a direct fit condensers it got me thinking about trying to save the one off my parts car I kept.

Where did all the condensers go?

Was all set to order a Spectra 7-4013 condenser and in the last few weeks they have disappeared from the fave of the earth. Rockauto, partsgeek, Napa, Oreilys, Autozone, Advanceauto, Ebay...out of stock and will not order. So has anyone found something close that will work?

gbodyforum.com

I am wondering what harm could come from what was a good unit but stored with open tube being hosed/blown out? The bad part on that cars system was the R134 conversion kept the original O rings that failed & leaked. I'm still on the fence about getting a working A/C in the car (never worked from day on nor has any of my rides until I got my '08 Silverado) but figured it cant hurt to have what is needed on hand just in case. I have everything regardless of being good/bad/cores to put the system back together & understand certain parts do have to be replaced since everything is open & exposed. Can't hurt to see if this is possible, won't be out anything for time being if it can't, nothing wrong being cheap-I mean being green & recylcing old parts.

 

[ssn696]

Amazon: Four Seasons AC Flush.

 

[565bbchevy]

Just order a new parallel flow condenser now and by the time you actually need it you might have already received it.

 

[69hurstolds]

If it's never had a compressor seize or something where lots of metal shavings, etc., got into the condenser, then yeah, give it a flush and see what happens.

If it's parallel flow, not sure how easy it would flush as compared to the single pass R-12 units. But what's the worse that could happen, right?

 

[pagrunt]

If it's never had a compressor seize or something where lots of metal shavings, etc., got into the condenser, then yeah, give it a flush and see what happens.

If it's parallel flow, not sure how easy it would flush as compared to the single pass R-12 units. But what's the worse that could happen, right?

It's an original GM R-12 unit so the flushing would be OK compaired to a newer parallel unit. Watched a Four Seasons video from checking out who else besides Amazon will have the flushing kit after seeing ssn696 posting.

 

[oldsmobile joe]

It's an original GM R-12 unit so the flushing would be OK compaired to a newer parallel unit. Watched a Four Seasons video from checking out who else besides Amazon will have the flushing kit after seeing ssn696 posting.

Two cans of brake cleaner and blow it out backwards with shop air. Then once together, evac for 30 min.

 

[pagrunt]

Two cans of brake cleaner and blow it out backwards with shop air. Then once together, evac for 30 min.

The Four Seasons video said don't use brake cleaner in the flushing.

 

[383_StealthRam]

Since this has made me think about the supply/demand issues currently with finding a direct fit condensers it got me thinking about trying to save the one off my parts car I kept.

Where did all the condensers go?

Was all set to order a Spectra 7-4013 condenser and in the last few weeks they have disappeared from the fave of the earth. Rockauto, partsgeek, Napa, Oreilys, Autozone, Advanceauto, Ebay...out of stock and will not order. So has anyone found something close that will work?

gbodyforum.com

I am wondering what harm could come from what was a good unit but stored with open tube being hosed/blown out? The bad part on that cars system was the R134 conversion kept the original O rings that failed & leaked. I'm still on the fence about getting a working A/C in the car (never worked from day on nor has any of my rides until I got my '08 Silverado) but figured it cant hurt to have what is needed on hand just in case. I have everything regardless of being good/bad/cores to put the system back together & understand certain parts do have to be replaced since everything is open & exposed. Can't hurt to see if this is possible, won't be out anything for time being if it can't, nothing wrong being cheap-I mean being green & recylcing old parts.

FYI this listing in eBay shows the incorrect (imho) vehicle applications but it's picture (and part num) is the same as the Spectra 7-4013. It says it's for Volkswagen models (which makes no sense) so I contacted them by phone and email and they confirmed what I would receive is what is pictured in the auction listing (irrespective of the application listing, but they didn't say they would update the fitment, so who knows why??).

So I ordered it and it came in a few days, it looks exactly like the picture and has the right fittings, locations and overall measurements of the Spectra 7-4013.

I don't have it here with me now, but I'm happy to take a picture and post it here if you like. It's the Parallel flow unit, and if you're going to charge with R134a refrigerant, it's probably simplest way to go. I'm actually restoring/replacing my A/C on the 1987 Cutlass this coming week, all new Compressor (R4), Barrier Hose assembly, Accumulator, Condenser, etc.. so I'll probably make a WDYD2YG Body Today thread at some point.

HTH.

Frank

UPDATE: Adding pics of the actual Parallel Flow A/C Condenser from the eBay listing noted above. It's the only place I've been able to locate the piece with application listing of the following. (from RockAuto). I have a suspicion when they're gone they're gone, so if you're contemplating the upgrade may want to grab one while you still can??


Buyer's Guide : APDI/PRO 7014013 A/C Condenser

BUICK	CENTURY	1978-1981
BUICK	REGAL	1978-1987
CHEVROLET	MONTE CARLO	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS	1978-1981
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CALAIS	1978-1984
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CIERA	1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SALON	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SUPREME	1978-1988
PONTIAC	BONNEVILLE	1982-1986
PONTIAC	GRAND AM	1978-1980
PONTIAC	GRAND LEMANS	1978-1981
PONTIAC	GRAND PRIX	1978-1987
PONTIAC	LEMANS	1978-1981

 

[81cutlass]

I've cleaned out 3 (2 after being exposed to atmosphere for over a decade and 1 after the compressor locked up)

I just glug some acetone in one side, slosh it around, and blow it out.

 

[Havasutom]

FYI this listing in eBay shows the incorrect (imho) vehicle applications but it's picture (and part num) is the same as the Spectra 7-4013. It says it's for Volkswagen models (which makes no sense) so I contacted them by phone and email and they confirmed what I would receive is what is pictured in the auction listing (irrespective of the application listing, but they didn't say they would update the fitment, so who knows why??).

So I ordered it and it came in a few days, it looks exactly like the picture and has the right fittings, locations and overall measurements of the Spectra 7-4013.

I don't have it here with me now, but I'm happy to take a picture and post it here if you like. It's the Parallel flow unit, and if you're going to charge with R134a refrigerant, it's probably simplest way to go. I'm actually restoring/replacing my A/C on the 1987 Cutlass this coming week, all new Compressor (R4), Barrier Hose assembly, Accumulator, Condenser, etc.. so I'll probably make a WDYD2YG Body Today thread at some point.

HTH.

Frank

UPDATE: Adding pics of the actual Parallel Flow A/C Condenser from the eBay listing noted above. It's the only place I've been able to locate the piece with application listing of the following. (from RockAuto). I have a suspicion when they're gone they're gone, so if you're contemplating the upgrade may want to grab one while you still can??


Buyer's Guide : APDI/PRO 7014013 A/C Condenser

BUICK	CENTURY	1978-1981
BUICK	REGAL	1978-1987
CHEVROLET	MONTE CARLO	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS	1978-1981
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CALAIS	1978-1984
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CIERA	1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SALON	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SUPREME	1978-1988
PONTIAC	BONNEVILLE	1982-1986
PONTIAC	GRAND AM	1978-1980
PONTIAC	GRAND LEMANS	1978-1981
PONTIAC	GRAND PRIX	1978-1987
PONTIAC	LEMANS	1978-1981

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View attachment 180446


View attachment 180447

FYI this listing in eBay shows the incorrect (imho) vehicle applications but it's picture (and part num) is the same as the Spectra 7-4013. It says it's for Volkswagen models (which makes no sense) so I contacted them by phone and email and they confirmed what I would receive is what is pictured in the auction listing (irrespective of the application listing, but they didn't say they would update the fitment, so who knows why??).

So I ordered it and it came in a few days, it looks exactly like the picture and has the right fittings, locations and overall measurements of the Spectra 7-4013.

I don't have it here with me now, but I'm happy to take a picture and post it here if you like. It's the Parallel flow unit, and if you're going to charge with R134a refrigerant, it's probably simplest way to go. I'm actually restoring/replacing my A/C on the 1987 Cutlass this coming week, all new Compressor (R4), Barrier Hose assembly, Accumulator, Condenser, etc.. so I'll probably make a WDYD2YG Body Today thread at some point.

HTH.

Frank

UPDATE: Adding pics of the actual Parallel Flow A/C Condenser from the eBay listing noted above. It's the only place I've been able to locate the piece with application listing of the following. (from RockAuto). I have a suspicion when they're gone they're gone, so if you're contemplating the upgrade may want to grab one while you still can??


Buyer's Guide : APDI/PRO 7014013 A/C Condenser

BUICK	CENTURY	1978-1981
BUICK	REGAL	1978-1987
CHEVROLET	MONTE CARLO	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS	1978-1981
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CALAIS	1978-1984
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CIERA	1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SALON	1978-1987
OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS SUPREME	1978-1988
PONTIAC	BONNEVILLE	1982-1986
PONTIAC	GRAND AM	1978-1980
PONTIAC	GRAND LEMANS	1978-1981
PONTIAC	GRAND PRIX	1978-1987
PONTIAC	LEMANS	1978-1981

View attachment 180445


View attachment 180446


View attachment 180447

After reviewing your pictures I ordered the same unit from EBay. Thank you for your help. I will post the outcome of installation.