How to replace an A/C condenser on a 6.5L diesel?

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Tornexted

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Hello, so I unfortunately kinked open the low pressure line coming out of my A/C condenser and now I need to replace it. I have a general idea on how to remove the grill and some other parts but what about these two small radiators on each side of the grill? The video below video helps me a lot, but I can tell it doesn't have the extra equipment my truck has. What do I do to take this stuff apart besides the grill? Thanks in advance.

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smdk2500

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Been a while since I've had my grill off but you should be able to unbolt the brackets that hold them on and let them fall forward and should give you enough room to get the condensor out.
 

Tornexted

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Been a while since I've had my grill off but you should be able to unbolt the brackets that hold them on and let them fall forward and should give you enough room to get the condensor out.
Great, thanks. Seems quite straight forward. I was trying to remove the orifice tube out but I couldn't get the connection off and I ended up kinging the bottom line open coming out of the condenser, honestly I should have left that tube alone. So basically just unmount both the two mini radiators, let them fall forward, and then proceed to remove the condenser. No need to disconnect the two coolers from whatever they're connected to, right?
 

smdk2500

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Correct. Should have enough wiggle room to get the condenser out. Its been almost a year since ive had my grill out and im going off memory. I'll be replacing my condenser here in the next few months as well. I would suggest while you have out clean the radiator out as best as you can. It amazing how much crap gets stuck in-between the condenser and radiator
 

Tornexted

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Correct. Should have enough wiggle room to get the condenser out. Its been almost a year since ive had my grill out and im going off memory. I'll be replacing my condenser here in the next few months as well. I would suggest while you have out clean the radiator out as best as you can. It amazing how much crap gets stuck in-between the condenser and radiator

OK great. I hope to replace it myself next week so that I can determine whether the compressor is the reason why my truck has no A/C. I will update in the coming days, thanks for your help.

Quick background: I've replaced a couple o rings, valves, and accumulator, and attempted to replace the orifice tube which is why we landed here
 

alpinecrick

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The "mini coolers" are the trans cooler (passenger side) and the engine oil cooler (driver's side), I believe my buddy was able to get his condenser off his diesel by unbolting the coolers and taking the bracket off on one of them giving him enough slack to move them out of the way and sliding the condenser out.
 

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Tornexted

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And this is a GREAT opportunity to straighten the fins on your radiator and clean it with a couple cans of condenser/coil cleaner. A lot of cooling "issues" are radiator and/or condenser with plugged up fins. And clean the trans and oil cooler too.....

https://www.amazon.com/SAFE-Foaming-Coil-Cleaner-19/dp/B007I7KZN0/ref=sr_1_5?crid=266UCAWKA2N26&dchild=1&keywords=condenser+cleaner+foam&qid=1618536784&sprefix=condenser+clea,aps,242&sr=8-5

Great idea. I've seen images of the area between the condenser and radiator core becoming more like a bird's nest, so I assume mine could be like that too. A short drive and I can already feel so much heat coming from the front grill on a chilly 43F day.
 

Tornexted

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Thanks so much for your help guys, highly appreciate it. I successfully replaced the condenser and cleaned out the radiator, will provide a before and after. Question though, why is it that my pressures are at 90 and 90 PSI for both the high and low pressure? Could it be because the compressor is old? The AC does blow cold though, and it's noticeable. I was running the AC while it was 61F outside. I was also wondering if this is normal operation for the AC compressor here in the following video.

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