Replace ac condenser Mk.7 FWD 2.2 tdci

[CCCars]

My ac condenser has a leak so will need to be changed, I've searched the web and can't find any information as to how to get it out to fit the new one, the system is empty of gas so no problem with releasing gas into the atmosphere, my local ac man is flat out just now, he can make time to do a test as the machine does it all while he gets on with something else.
So my plan is to remove the leaking one and fit the new one that he can supply with new seals then take it to him to be purged and regassed.
Basically I need to know what needs to be removed to get to it and how, looking at the front it looks like the bumper corners and radiator grill needs to come off for access?

Graham

[CCCars]

Well in the absence of any replies I got cracking this morning, after a couple of hours of careful spannering the front was off revealing the condenser.
The job went like this, there are two M6 set screws either side behind the bumper corners securing them to the side panels, take these out.
I removed the headlights as I didn't know if there might be more fastenings behind them, it's only 2 screws and a plug to disconnect and they're out.
Next the front panel, there are 2 torx screws one either side T30, there are 2 screws either side of the bonnet catch to come out, then in the step ups below the bumper there are 2 screws in the base to remove the tread plate and a T40 in the back of both of them, then the tricky ones! there are 2 T40 screws behind the registration plate.
Once these are all out the whole front panel complete with the bumper corners lifts out, start at the bottom then lift to clear the bonnet latch and then the condenser will be revealed.
There are two plastic mouldings fitted either side of the condenser which need to be removed to get to the clips which hold the condenser in position, they are secured with plastic push studs which will probably break, I had a bag full in the toolbox so not a problem!
The gas connections at the nearside end need to be disconnected, slacken the 1/2" AF nuts a couple of turns and remove the studs with an E socket of the right size and pull the hose connections back and clear, release the lower clips either side and lift the condenser up until it's clear of the four clips then a bit of wriggling and out it comes.
The replacement condenser came with new studs and o ring seals for the connections, I fitted the new o rings but reused the original studs as they looked better quality compared to the ones supplied.
Refitting is a reversal of the dismantling, while it was out I took the opportunity to give all the hidden areas a good clean, there was quite a build up of debris between the condenser and the radiator so I blew it all out with the airgun.
I'm off to my a/c man in the morning to get it gassed up and hopefully that will be it and I'll have a nice cool drive next time we're off in our MOHO.
Hope this helps anyone else needing an a/c repair, if your system still has pressure you'll need to get it degassed before starting.

Graham

[metalworker0]

well i did look on youtube, spent something like 1/2 hour looking and forced to watch the blinking adverts

No vids on there that i could find.. one for big litre v6 yankee one ... others had no AC and were just the rad, some just showing it speeded up with no commentary .. and some unsuitable because the youtubers were very rough cowboys and a few mk8 ones and ecoblue ones that are again unsuitable.

all the best,mark

[CCCars]

Hi Mark, I searched like you and came up with a total blank, don't really understand why nobody has done a guide on Youtube, I even tried looking up removing radiator but the van didn't have a/c!

Graham

[dumper]

I’ve only done a mk6 as mark said nothing on YouTube or google you tend to find that when A/C goes a lot of people don’t get it repaired