Condenser Leak. Would you fit or return this new part?

[spree]

Last year I noticed my air conditioning wasn’t as effective as it should be so I took it to a garage to be leak tested and re-gassed. The garage couldn’t find a leak with UV dye so they re-gassed it and it worked ok-ish for a few months or so.

This year I decided to have a look for myself so I took the bumper off and found this dark patch around my condenser which I’m pretty sure is the cause of the problem.

Since I’d already taken front bumper off to find the problem, I thought I could probably change it myself - as long as I get the gas removed first.

The part arrived today but it appears to have some bent fins. I’m not sure if I’m just being fussy or whether this is normal/acceptable? Would you fit it in this condition or should I return it?

Obviously, it’ll probably be easier to return before it's fitted. Ideally I'd like to avoid paying for a vacuum and gas twice if it turns out the new part is also leaking. The box isn’t damaged so I’m guessing it wasn’t damaged during delivery.

I know a bend doesn't necessarily mean a leak but I guess I was expecting a new part to be in a more perfect condition.

Can I tell if it’s leaking before I fit? I guess when I undo the caps from the new part in order to attach to the A/C pipes, I should hear if pressure was being held inside. I’ve not tried yet as I gather it’s not good to expose the dryer to air for too long.

Not fitted one before so just asking for your opinions


Many thanks,

Lee

 

[R3k1355]

Totally normal, the fins will bend if you so much as look at them.

 

[spree]

Thanks. That’s reassuring. I’ll have to be careful not to bend any more during fitting. The fins the other side aren’t as bad so I guess I'm probably just being a bit paranoid about it leaking.

 

[RUM4MO]

I'd probably start making all these fins look "perfect" - then touch some when fitting that new condenser! Combs are available for straightening out condenser fins, but not in these very small condenser, so as said that is the way things are!

Edit:- you will be buying a new drier core/assembly for that system? Now, on that front, if I remember correctly, the drier insert can only be fitted while the condenser is out of the car, so it would be better if you handed this complete job over to a proper A/C fixer, maybe even a mobile one and give the dealership workshop a miss?

Another Edit:- maybe you can swop over the drier insert on this version of Ibiza while it is in the car, certainly with the 6J Ibiza they seemed to have inverted that end part!