1994 Chevy Suburban Condenser?

RICKBERT

MEMBER
1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I was wondering if anti-freeze runs thru the A/C condenser in front of the radiator?

Had a little front end damage, had grill replaced, transmission cooler replaced but after I got the vehicle back home I've had anti freeze leak as well.I've been told that on some vehicles anti freeze runs thru the a/c condenser so I'm wondering if front end damage also damaged the condensor and that is why it's leaking?

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all thank you so much for your donation. Antifreeze does not run thru your a/c condensor. It's probably coming from your radiator somewhere I would rent a cooling system pressure tester and the hose goes on like your radiator cap does. You then put up your cooling system and look for leak's.

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 9:13 PM

RICKBERT

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In that event I'd say there's no need to do a pressure test because it's too obvious that it's coming from the radiator. Might as well at this point just get a new radiator and install it !

Correct?

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 6:16 AM

SATURNTECH9

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I would just make sure it's coming from the radiator before you go replacing the radiator. Make sure it's not a hose or something. Even if it was my car I would still make sure of where the leak was before I replaced anything. Let me know what you find.

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 11:13 AM

RICKBERT

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4 POSTS

Ah ha. Too late, I just got back from Auto Zone with the new radiator ! LOL

I have NO doubt just by where it's leaking from that it's the radiator. The hose connections were all dry, I DID check the hoses !

I think that TIME caught up with the old radiator as it IS 16 yrs old. Only 160k miles which isn't alot for a 16 yr old vehicle but those are a lot of YEARS !

Anyway after I get it installed I let ya know how it goes but I'm almost dead certain this will cure the leak with the new radiator !

Thank you !

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 11:46 AM

SATURNTECH9

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Sound's good I just wanted to make sure the radiator was bad before you replaced that's all. Keep me posted on the out come of that radiator replacement.

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 11:56 AM

RICKBERT

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4 POSTS

Radiator installed. Took for drive, no leaks, temp gauge goes up then down a tad after thermostat opens up just as it should. Heat is good. Blasts out nice and hot inside the cab. Ran for about 10 miles with heater on, pulled over and opened hood to check. NO leaks all is good.

Ran the rest of the way home with A/C on to really put engine under a load and all was STILL well.

So it WAS a bad radiator.

I now have a new heater core, thermostat and water pump and radiator within last 10k miles so I think my cooling system is good to go for at least another 100K !

For any of you reading this I will say that the Suburban is absolutely the BEST vehicle I've ever owned. Besides the normal stuff like alternator, starter, water pump and now radiator I've had no MAJOR issues at all. It still starts, idles, runs, shifts and rides awesome at 160k. The engine is smooth as silk and still perfectly quiet.

ISSUE SOLVED !

Thank you.

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 2:38 PM

SATURNTECH9