PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

My 2000 lesabre condenser has a hole...how big job to chg this

pretty easy.. should be a couple hoses bolted to the condenser and only a couple brackets holding it in.. Its one of those things a couple hours and basic hand tools should have it swapped. don't be afraid to start removing things, might have to tip radiator back to get out but pretty easy job. I would just jump into it and make sure to replace the O rings on the AC lines in and out of the condenser. ideally you will want to have the system evac'ed and charged to remove moisture and any old junk in the system, not to mention verify it is leak free.

S

Ideally you'd replace the dryer and the orifice tube too, as they'll have gotten contaminated from the system being opened. Then have a vacuum pulled on the system to remove moisture and test the seals, etc. Then have it charged, and IIRC harofreak00 recommends adding a little extra r134a to the system as it cools better. You can search his posts on here for it.

Yeah, I learned the hard way that you can't open a system and just refill it with refrigerant and hope for the best. Moisture in the system will boil and erode everything. The steam from the water destroyed a reed valve in the compressor and that was the end of our AC. I have since learned, got a vacuum pump and gauges. I get to replace the compressor on the Bonneville this summer, it only held a charge for about a month.

I can post the step-by-step instructions if you still need them. I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre factory service manual.