C180K - C203 - Condensor replacement.

[jcampby]

Hi everyone. I am fairly new here having recently purchased a C180K (C203 2006 model). I enjoy doing my own work on my cars and have been working on a condensor replacement today however I ran into a problem. There are two AC pipes that go into the condensor held in with a single 10mm nut. I have removed the nut but cannot get the pipes free, it is almost as if they are welded on. I watched a Youtube video and the guy simply wiggled them whilst prising with a screwdriver and they came out relatively easily. Has anyone had this problem and if so are there any tips you can recommend please. Thanks in advance!

 

[DSM10000]

Corrosion is common at these connections.

You could try soaking the area with some penetrant spray or, possibly a little gentle heat around the condenser from a blow lamp?

 

[jcampby]

Corrosion is common at these connections.

You could try soaking the area with some penetrant spray or, possibly a little gentle heat around the condenser from a blow lamp?

Thanks, I will give that a try next week!

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks, I will give that a try next week!

If it doesn't work then carefully cut the condenser to release the pipes

Good luck.

 

[jcampby]

Corrosion is common at these connections.

You could try soaking the area with some penetrant spray or, possibly a little gentle heat around the condenser from a blow lamp?

I managed to remove it but it is probably the most tricky job I have ever undertaken. I had to resort to an angle grinder to grind out the aluminium block that the two pipes go into but there is a threaded bar in the middle of the two pipes which for the life of me I have no idea how it gets screwed into the two parts (the holder between the ac pipes and the condenser itself??) . I had to drill it out in the end. Now to fit the new condenser. Phew!

 

[gurpz]

Well done, I feel your pain had to do exactly the same recently on a W203, its the dissimilar metal corrosion to blame the threaded stud is steal and going through the aluminium with atleast 20 + years of hot cold, wet cycles and it stands no chance. A dab of ceramic high temp grease on the steal
Threaded studd would prevent this for future work should it need it.