Prius C AC condenser replace and recarge

The refrigerant is the same - but the oil is special for the hybid - it has to be non-conductive because of the HV motor in the A/C Compressor. You can't use an A/C Recovery machine for normal cars on a hybrid due to potential of contamination of the system.

The dealer probably won't sell you the refrigerant because they have it in a 30lb can.

Most mechanics won't touch hybrid A/C because they aren't interested in buying a dedicated A/C machine to work on a very small percentage of cars, and they don't want to blow up an expensive compressor and HV inverter if they do it wrong.

The correct way is to replace the failed part, also replace the receiver dryer (this is a moisture absorber that must be replaced anytime the system is open) and then pull a vacuum on the system for a while. Replace the quantity of oil that's in those two items, and charge the system to the correct high/low pressures.

If you don't have access to a hybrid A/C machine, then you'll need to buy a 2-stage vacuum pump, and a set of R-134a manifold gauges. The machines have these items built in and automate the process.

(I have a MACS certification)

EDIT: You're probably not going to need very much of the oil at all. Most of it stays in the A/C compressor.

 

I believe you need to have a dedicated set of plumbing for recharging Prius, to avoid contamination? Not sure.

I'm extremely leary of DIY on the AC system. My 2 cents: ask the dealership if they can install the part you bought, and recharge the system? They would need to verify it is in fact compatible. Or just eat the $60 cost, go 100% with the dealership's proposal?

 

You're right - even 1% contamination of the wrong oil lowers the resistance enough to at the very least set a DTC and disable the system. Worst case is a >240v short circuit!

Don't borrow a manifold gauge set and vacuum pump - they need to be free from contamination. Also do not inject UV dye in the system - that's conductive too, and it's usually suspended in normal PAG oil.

 

To answer the real question: You can find 12oz cans of JUST R-134a at the auto parts stores. These will be the cheapest ones. Advance sells it for around $12.99 right now, but the price has been highly variable over the last 10 years.

Note that the cans you typically see in stores are an all-in-one charge kit with additives and oil in them. Some of them have dye, stop-leak and other things. They will ruin a hybrid car.

 

And then you've got to invest in the hoses and valves. And you don't have the Repair Manual specs. And last but not least: if you're not doing this stuff on a regular basis, is it worth the risk? Depends on your skill level, but yeah: this is one I'd leave to the pros, just say screw it and get out the card.

Oh yeah, the dealership should be responsibly catching any evacuated gasses.

 

So, when I drove to work I turned on my A/C to see if it still works after this winter. Well it doesn't work at all. I opened the hood and pressed on the valve core to see if there's any pressure in the system... nothing. Looking through the front grille- sure enough, an oil stain. In the middle of it is a bent tube with a rock hole.


So now we're in this together!!

I looked for condensers, turns out that the Prius C has the receiver/dryer integrated in the side of the condenser. Your Amazon one probably already has it installed.

So I'm going to do a bit of research and order one myself.

 

You could see if the dealership will suck out the old ac refridgerent for you. Then you can replace the part and take it back for the recharge. If they are willing to do that. By law the dealership or mechanic has suck out any refridgerent in the system to open up the ac system. But if you have a gaping hole it is more then likley all ready done for you. Im pretty sure they wont due the recovery step since its now an open system till they replace the part. Due a recovery and recharge/ oil the system. Its been awhile since ive did this and was licensed. But you could ask your father in-law if thats how they are suppose to due it now and the you could at least save on labor for the replacement. Even he could do the work but the dealership would have to due the recovery/ recharge. I was doing it when r12 was switching to 134a. What a scam that was for doing the conversion when they first started doing the switch.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

This is why I have installed mesh screens behind the lower and upper grill openings in both of my cars. It is cheap insurance to hopefully prevent an expensive repair down the road (pardon the pun) to the AC, inverter cooling, or cooling system.

 

You do not need to buy any refrigerant. There is a oil baffle in compressor that keeps the oil contained in the compressor. Follow the manual and start it on low when refilling with refrigerant to keep it from being spread through the system. It is smart and computer will ramp up rpm on its own and take the charge very fast. Only caution is weigh charge & do not let it overcharge.

LG-H918 ?

 

Update on my car

I've ordered parts and tools

- Denso Condenser I ordered from Advance's website with a $40 off code
- Robinair 15310 Vacuum pump ordered from Amazon
- Robinair 49134A Manifold Gauges from Amazon
- Mastercool 85510 can tap from Amazon
- R-134a - two 12oz cans which ill pick up at a physical advance store.

Still to get
ND-11 oil (need less than half an ounce)
Grille material to protect the new condenser
Possibly a small scale for weighing the refrigerant

 

What the heck I mean oil.

LG-H918 ?

 

..Meant...
Gees my typing is bad. Comes from all the rain we have gotten and terrible stuff that grows with it like mold and too much overtime.

LG-H918 ?

 

Update: after "processing" the order for 7 days, Advance cancelled the order saying out of stock. Fail.

Ordered a Sunbelt Radiator one from Amazon. The Denso would have been nice, but it needs to actually exist to be worth anything lol.

 

Yes, get some mesh like this:

UNIVERSAL BLACK ALUMINUM DIAMOND MESH for your CUSTOM GRILL GRILLE

And install it behind the upper and lower grill openings. I have them zip tied with small black ones.

Or, you can get a roll of polypropylene gutter screens from the big box hardware store.

http://low.es/1Cgwye8

 

No problem. It's important to protect the radiator for the inverter as well, that's an expensive item to replace.

 

I do not know - $400 for a job that includes over $100 of supplies and two hours of labour doesn't seem that unreasonable to me. I'd expect cheaper from an independent garage, but dealers are always the most expensive place to go for repairs. You're paying for them to be familiar with the procedures and have the right equipment to do the job.

Sure, if you can do the job yourself then it's a lot cheaper. But for someone who's just gone and had this done and paid $400 for it then IMHO they shouldn't feel like they've been ripped off.