C30 AC : Condenser issues

[xwave10]

Afternoon chaps,

I'm writing thins royally ticked off. My 1.6 Petrol R Design 2009 C30 had been to volvo about 3 times with A/C issues (no cold air). They re-gassed 3 times, first 2 failing to find the leak. On the 3rd attempt they told me it was the condenser, followed by a monstrous bill to sort it.

So I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I bought the following condenser from euro car parts:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/eis-c...-a-c-222660441

As it says fitment to VIN 61472, mine ends in 39389, I thought no worries.

So my C30 is currently on my drive, the front in pieces with the new condenser in place, but the high and low pressure lines wont fit into the designated holes. Also the screws to hold them in place dont line up either, only a few millimeters out.

Am I being a pleb or did I order the wrong condenser? If I did, can you point me in the direction of the correct one? Thanks

[Clan]

Originally Posted by xwave10

Afternoon chaps,

I'm writing thins royally ticked off. My 1.6 Petrol R Design 2009 C30 had been to volvo about 3 times with A/C issues (no cold air). They re-gassed 3 times, first 2 failing to find the leak. On the 3rd attempt they told me it was the condenser, followed by a monstrous bill to sort it.

So I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I bought the following condenser from euro car parts:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/eis-c...-a-c-222660441

As it says fitment to VIN 61472, mine ends in 39389, I thought no worries.

So my C30 is currently on my drive, the front in pieces with the new condenser in place, but the high and low pressure lines wont fit into the designated holes. Also the screws to hold them in place dont line up either, only a few millimeters out.

Am I being a pleb or did I order the wrong condenser? If I did, can you point me in the direction of the correct one? Thanks

The volvo dealer will give you the correct one of the two , there is no guarantee a third party one will fit properly . If the pipes are strained they will crack after a short while .

[iainmd]

I share your frustration. Our V50 is on condenser number 4 and the aircon is broken again. That's 4 in 10yrs. Whoever designed the aircon system needs designated to a different job.

I've given up getting it repaired. It doesn't matter whether you buy Volvo or pattern parts for this. Neither lasts any longer than a couple of years. I've had 3 Volvo and 1 ECP supplied condenser.

Something must have changed in 2007 at facelift or the 1.6D is particularly bad by comparison to a T5 as my 2004 T5 condenser lasted as long as I had the car (13yrs). The 2009 1.6D aircon system was engineered by a total donkey.

[xwave10]

Thanks for your responses chaps. I've ordered another condenser praying its the correct one which should arrive tomorrow.

I couldnt agree more with your comment about the A/C design. Absolute pigs ear, so many with leak issues its a joke.

Will update if it goes well! (Will also update if it goes to pot)