Do to a hole in my A/C condenser I lost all the r134a and with it the A/C. With 66,000 miles on my 8 I knew Mazda wasn’t going to fix it. Even if I was still under warranty most dealers would claim road hazard and want well over $600 to replace the it. I thought if I changed the condenser myself I could get a local shop to purge the air / recharge the r134a for less than the dealership. Since I would have to remove the condenser it also made sense to also install the Racing Beat A/C screen but that is your option.

Tools / Parts:
10mm socket, 12” extension, ratchet
Phillips screwdriver
Aftermarket A/C Condenser (Partstrain.com PN# P40372)
Racing Beat A/C protection screen
O-rings Mazda PN# 61-J1X & 61-J1XA
Extra plastic rivets Mazda PN# 56-145C

 

Jack up the car and remove the UnderTray. TeamRX8 has a good post about the tray in this thread . All I wish to add about the tray is you will need some of the extra plastic rivets. Just doing normal driving will make them hard to remove the ¼ turn of a screwdriver way. You can get the four rivets out intact that are in the flat section of the tray by tapping them from behind via the opening in the bumper. Also be careful to protect your eyes. You will disturb dirt & rocks that are stuck in the tray when you start the work the undertray loose.

 

With a 10mm socket remove the two r134a lines that are in front of the condenser. It’s a good idea to change the O-rings on the lines since they are right in front of you.

 

Remove the four 10mm bolts that hold the condenser to the car and remove it trying to avoid the r134a lines.

 

Install the new condenser and screen (if you purchased one) Reinstall the undertray . Threads about the screens can be found via search , here is one for example

 

Now you need to go to a shop and have the air that entered the system purged and the system charged with r134a and if needed compressor oil.

Costs:
Aftermarket condenser $210
Purge / Recharge $150
Rivets & o-rings $13
Opt Screen $60
Total Cost $433

If you were not sure the condenser was the problem there could be a diagnostic charge. This depends on whether or not you’re in warranty. The dealer should at least tell you for free that the problem was the condenser. The fee from a local shop will also vary from one garage to another.
So far I only used the A/C once and it worked fine so going with a NON-Mazda condenser should not be a problem. I did look into a used OEM one but the price was not that much better than the new aftermarket one. I also suggest not ordering the condenser over the net. I ran into a problem with one site that claimed to have one in stock, but didn’t and didn’t even update their site after giving me a refund. Order the condenser over the phone.

 

Nice D.I.Y that’s not the OEM AC/condenser is it? IV seen 2 different ones can you tell us what’s the difference is if you have time PLEASE??

 

The big difference is mine's about $150 less than a Mazda condenser.

The OEM is what they call a ' Parallel Flow Condenser ' I found two links that can better explain what that means. The one I installed is a traditional tube & fin condenser. The parallel one claims to be better but after four days of use this one works just fine and I saved $400 from what dealers would have charged me.

http://www.forparts.com/techcondensers.htm
http://www.ackits.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Parallel

 

Thanks Expo - that's good information. I'm sure I'll be needing to do this too someday. I get at least one good stone strike a month (you should see my paint).

Someday it's going to hit just right... It's inevitable. When I do, I will definitely get the protective screen when I replace.

 

My condenser is beat up (from running over some crap) from the underside. It still works and hasn't started leaking, but I haven't had the oppertunity (or need) to test it in warm weather as its been very cold up here in New England. I might just go ahead and replace it before it becomes an issue.

As it hasn't drained yet, should I drain all the freon before disconnecting the condenser, if so from where?

 

Technically that stuff is only supposed to be drained by people with equipment to recover the R134a so it doesn’t get into the atmosphere. The rock that hit mine took care of that and the earth is still here. By removing the condenser you would release the R134a. I think there are other valves under the hood that would do the same. I do want to remind you that unless you’re proficient with working on automotive A/C the last step of this DIY is have the system correctly purged & recharged by a shop

 

Certainly, I have no desire to purge or refill the ac. I've never had the need or oppertunity to work on an AC system, but the $800.00 quote from my dealer has inspired me to give it a shot. I just want to make sure that there is no risk (or limited) to myself or my vehile when removing the condenser with refrigerant still in the system.

 

It looks like you did not have to remove the bumper, is that right. I also have a rock hole and this helps alot. thanks

 

Correct, you only need to remove the undertray.

 

Great DIY expo1...as always, you are a wealth of knowledge

IIRC though, r134a must be purged from an AC system by a trained technician with the right tools. It is a CFC and as such, we don't want it escaping.

Now I do realize that in your case, it was already gone (due to damage), but is it:

1) Safe to do in your garage/driveway,
2) Illegal to do this?

I'm not saying that I am gonna tell But are there consequences should your local Mazda dealer find out? (For e.g. you do this, and then go in for some warranty work and the tech notices a new AC condenser).

Please hold off jokes that the Mazda tech will even find anything wrong with your car....haha!

Either way, cheers for the DIY!

Ed

 

as for my car, mazda did the check, said no refrigerant, so nothing to escape; said it was $800 to fix because of rock damage; miles at almost 60000 so no warranty; ebay has a condenser for $138 + $16 shipping so I save $400 by doing it myself .

 

1, I took the car to a shop to recharge the r134a so all I did at home was replace a part.
2, Nope, so long as your not letting r134a out. As you said mine was gone already.
3, My warranty is up so Mazda has no say.

 

I thought I'd remind people that I have the Factory condensers at the pricing that makes sense!

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=112255

Paul.

PS Hope this was an appropriate hi-jack.

 

You have provided myself and others excellent service so feel free to hi-jack my thread.

 

wow, nicely done Expo!

 

Thank God... As I certainly would wonder why the world was shaking and the sky was falling in.

I never would have guessed it would have been your A/C condensor leak.

 

hey thankz for the diy expo i did mine a couple weeks ago and i also added the racing beat screens. and i even added the ac feon my self and my ac clutch kicked in. thankz mazmart aswell for the ac condenser it worked fabouly

 

hey dude do know where can get the under cover for the engine beside the dealer???/

 

www.mazmart.com

 

Hi I was wondering if you or some know were can I buy a undercover engine for my RX8 thank you