Removing and installing condenser (vehicles with 5-cyl. engine) — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Switch off the ignition and drain the refrigerant circuit. Remove air intake, radiator cowl, refrigerant lines, bumper cover and charge air cooler, then free the radiator, slide it towards the engine and support it. Unbolt the condenser and lower it out. On refit check the sealing strips, tighten the condenser bolts in sequence, reconnect the lines, refit everything, then evacuate and recharge and start up the air conditioner.

Fits: Audi A3 (8P, 2003–2012)

• Opens: refrigerant (A/C)

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• Support the radiator once it is free so the refrigerant lines are not strained, kinked or bent.
• Return the refrigeration oil lost with the old condenser to the circuit.
• Check the sealing strips are bonded to the condenser before fitting.
• Tighten the condenser bolts in sequence (A, B).
• Evacuate and recharge the circuit, then follow the start-up notes for the air conditioner.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Switch off ignition.
2. Drain the refrigerant circuit Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87Refrigerant circuit (air conditioner with refrigerant R134a, refrigerant circuit, working with air conditioner service station).
3. Remove the air intake to the air cleaner housing Injection and ignition system24.
4. Remove the radiator cowl Engine, mechanics19.
5. Detach the refrigerant lines from the condenser .

6. Remove the front bumper cover General body repairs, exterior63.
7. Remove the charge air cooler Engine, mechanics21.
8. Screw out the bolts (arrows). To do so, release the air ducts on the left and right and swivel towards headlights.
9. Swivel the top edge of the radiator slightly to the rear Engine, mechanics19.
10. Lift the radiator and disengage it from the lower mounting points.
11. Slide the radiator towards the engine.
12. Support the radiator from underneath to stop it sagging. [Note: To avoid damaging the condenser and the refrigerant lines and hoses, make sure the lines and hoses are not strained, kinked or bent.]
13. Screw out the bolts (arrows).
14. Detach the condenser from the radiator.
15. Take out the condenser (A) downwards. [Note: When it has been removed, the condenser contains refrigeration oil which must be returned to the refrigerant circuit (together with the new condenser) Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87Renewing components of refrigerant circuit (Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a; Renewing components of refrigerant circuit).]
16. Make sure the sealing strips (arrows) are properly bonded to the condenser (A).
17. Tighten the bolts at the condenser in the sequence (A, B).
18. Connect the refrigerant lines .
19. Fit the intake connection at the bottom and the charge air cooler 21.
20. Fit the radiator cowl Engine, mechanics19.
21. Install the front bumper cover General body repairs, exterior63.
22. Evacuate and re-charge the refrigerant circuit Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87Refrigerant circuit (air conditioner with refrigerant R134a, refrigerant circuit, working with air conditioner service station).
23. Re-install the other components removed.
24. Start up the air conditioner after charging the refrigerant circuit . [Note: Also observe notes on starting up air conditioner after charging Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a87General information on air conditioning systems (Air conditioner with refrigerant R134a; General information on air conditioning systems). Before starting up air conditioner after fresh charging.]

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