A/C Condenser replacement

[DWTahoe]

Hey Everyone, I was just checking to see if anyone has replaced the AC condenser in their 2015+?

My AC has gone out and if I had 20K miles less they have a special warranty setup for those of us that have had the AC stop blowing cold air (5 year or 60K miles).

Anyway, looking online it seems to be a reasonable repair because you can actually get to the cooler without taking the entire front end off. I found a few videos online but I was wondering if anyone had part numbers, tips or tricks, or reassurance that it's a fairly simple job.

Mine is leaking at the welds on the condenser. The dealer wants 5 hours of labor to do the job and I've seen others pull the condenser in about 45 minutes. So if anybody has any helpful information, that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[RST Dana]

I had a similar issue. Contacted GM via BBB and asked for assistance. I faxed a copy of my paid invoice last week. Don’t know if I will get anything back, but it was worth a shot.

 

[WDTSuburban15]

Hey Everyone, I was just checking to see if anyone has replaced the AC condenser in their 2015+?

My AC has gone out and if I had 20K miles less they have a special warranty setup for those of us that have had the AC stop blowing cold air (5 year or 60K miles).

Anyway, looking online it seems to be a reasonable repair because you can actually get to the cooler without taking the entire front end off. I found a few videos online but I was wondering if anyone had part numbers, tips or tricks, or reassurance that it's a fairly simple job.

Mine is leaking at the welds on the condenser. The dealer wants 5 hours of labor to do the job and I've seen others pull the condenser in about 45 minutes. So if anybody has any helpful information, that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I’m at 59k on a 15 and my AC is having the same issue. It’s at the dealership now and waiting to hear the prognosis. Thankfully I got an extended warranty when I bought my suburban used! I’ll let u know what part numbers are provided. Also getting the coolant smell fixed and the side detection not working.

 

[BADRIDES]

Autozone makes a condenser that is actually better quality than the GM if you are on a fixed budget.

 

[DWTahoe]

I have the part number from the dealer and they did say it was the updated version of the condenser. However, if the Autozone one is just as good and cheaper than the new OE one I'm interested in checking that out too. Do you have a part number from autozome?

GM part number I have is #84621302 - $195 or so.

 

[PG01]

I had a similar issue. Contacted GM via BBB and asked for assistance. I faxed a copy of my paid invoice last week. Don’t know if I will get anything back, but it was worth a shot.

You’re welcome....

 

[BADRIDES]

I think we have been paying $120 or so at the dealership I work at for the Autozone condenser. It has better welds and the new GM is no different than the one coming off your vehicle.

 

[dbbd1]

I think we have been paying $120 or so at the dealership I work at for the Autozone condenser. It has better welds and the new GM is no different than the one coming off your vehicle.

Seriously? Good to know, thanks.

 

[DWTahoe]

I may have to try the AutoZone one. Not a single GM available in Colorado at this time. Everything is back ordered nation wide according to all our dealers and the ones they do have are set aside for customers already. What a PITA.....

 

[RST Dana]

I had a similar issue. Contacted GM via BBB and asked for assistance. I faxed a copy of my paid invoice last week. Don’t know if I will get anything back, but it was worth a shot.

I’m getting nearly $500 of what I paid for my repair back from GM.

 

[PG01]

I’m getting nearly $500 of what I paid for my repair back from GM.

Ahem.... ahem..... splitzies

 

[DWTahoe]

Well, here's an update so far on the AC condenser. I was able to replace the unit this weekend but I haven't had it checked for leaks again or filled yet to see if it worked.

Here's a couple things for others if you want to do this yourself and avoid 5 hours shop time for them to remove the front grill and bumper to install it.
- I did not have to remove the front bumper, grill, or the cross member above the radiator/AC condenser.
- It would have been easier if I could have removed the cross member, however, you may be able to get the 6 screws holding it in place underneath it out, but, getting them installed back in is almost impossible in my opinion.
- After you remove the air box and all the screws holding the radiator, you can tip it back far enough to get the condenser out from in front of it. I didn't have to remove any hoses from the radiator
- If you pay attention to how everything was in before and keep track of where things come off and are patient with all the tabs (to keep from breaking them off) you can do it in a couple of hours.

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to answer what i can.

Another thing I never really read specifically so I wanted to clarify for others that may come across this looking for info. The AC condenser and the transmission cooler are 1 unit. I'd say the top 1/3 of the unit is the tranny cooler and the bottom 2/3 seem to be all AC cooler/condenser. The transmission lines at the top on both sides are held in with a little tiny c-clip type spring. Getting them back on is a pain....save your clips from the old one if possible. They seem to go flying and are easily lost in the engine bay.

Hopefully this helps. Thanks.

 

[Dooba]

Don’t mean to bump an old thread, but I recently found out about this.

I read that 2017+ GM models switched from R134a to R1234yf, so maybe that had an effect? Not sure what year your Tahoe is.

They appear to have similar properties, but further research shows the AC setup is somewhat different e.g. connector types, metallurgy with refrigerant requires different seals and materials.

So theoretically, if they tried to retrofit the existing system to support R1234yf, and incorrectly designed it for so, it may be the reason why this is happening.

They also introduced an inline heat exchanger, which may be the cause of these leaks I keep reading about.

I personally do not have an issue on my truck - knock on wood. Its a 2016 Yukon running on R134a. Though, ME specific models are equipped with different, larger, condensers iirc.

Note: There are no plans to remove R134a from what I’ve read. Its just R1234yf has a significantly lower global warming potential.

 

[ERS2015]

Condenser on my 2015 w/89k miles is now garbage also. It worked fine last summer, but went to use it this summer and no luck. Now I get to swap it out, I won't pay the stealership to do what looks to be a fairy simple job.

Thanks fit the tips guys!

 

[BADRIDES]

Get the condenser from Auto Zone. Much much better welds and a better condenser. My dealership buys them from the Zone.

 

[RST Dana]

Condenser on my 2015 w/89k miles is now garbage also. It worked fine last summer, but went to use it this summer and no luck. Now I get to swap it out, I won't pay the stealership to do what looks to be a fairy simple job.

Thanks fit the tips guys!

Paid for mine to be replaced at the dealership with 93k miles BEFORE I knew it was covered for extra years and mileage. Called GM when I learned about it, and they covered over half the charges since my miles were over. It’s a free call, give it a try.

 

[RobH]

Well, here's an update so far on the AC condenser. I was able to replace the unit this weekend but I haven't had it checked for leaks again or filled yet to see if it worked.

Here's a couple things for others if you want to do this yourself and avoid 5 hours shop time for them to remove the front grill and bumper to install it...

My experience going back almost sixty years is that the dealership mechanics are aware of the shortcuts and take them and still charge for doing the full factory procedure. And don't care if they break some things while doing the shortcut.

So, if you have the tools and experience, do it yourself.

 

[Keith Turcotte]

I had to do my 2015 Tahoe LTZ condenser last year; broken at the manifold inlet of hot gas return to the condenser; took me two weeks to find. Not fun


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tim crow]

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening in the first place?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[BADRIDES]

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening in the first place?

NO cause of the bad welds