2010 Honda Insight Condenser

ran_deep · 08-08-2011, 09:45 AM

Hi folks,

My condenser was hit by a rock. The gas leaked and now the ac not functioning. Took to local Honda Service Centre today and since it was natural 'disaster', its not covered by warranty. The orig condenser sold here is quite expense and can't get a cheaper one due since the car is few months old in Malaysian market.Tried welding at a friends place, but due to its thin and fragile material, they failed to stop leakage after trying for 5 hrs

After googling, found out some US stores sells it in range of USD110-150. But am not sure if its original and they ship to Malaysia. And is it compatible/similar to the one used in local model (its assembled in Japan though). E.g. below

TYC 3787 A/C Condenser | eBay

Appreciate if you could advise where can I find someone who can send it to Malaysia.

circa1986 · 08-08-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ran_deep

Hi folks,

My condenser was hit by a rock. The gas leaked and now the ac not functioning. Took to local Honda Service Centre today and since it was natural 'disaster', its not covered by warranty. The orig condenser sold here is quite expense and can't get a cheaper one due since the car is few months old in Malaysian market.Tried welding at a friends place, but due to its thin and fragile material, they failed to stop leakage after trying for 5 hrs

After googling, found out some US stores sells it in range of USD110-150. But am not sure if its original and they ship to Malaysia. And is it compatible/similar to the one used in local model (its assembled in Japan though). E.g. below

TYC 3787 A/C Condenser | eBay

Appreciate if you could advise where can I find someone who can send it to Malaysia.

Do you have an insurance policy that covers this sort of damage at a low enough deductible that it would be worth it?

Cobb · 08-08-2011, 11:33 AM

Sorry to hear that. Have you tried a Honda fit condenser? Both cars share similar parts.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

**Jayemtee** · 08-08-2011, 06:40 PM

Sorry I can't answer your original question, but...

Actually, with only a minor bit of creativity, you could probably find one locally. The air conditioning system does NOT require OEM parts. If you can shoe-horn something in and hook it up, it should work. It's been a while since I had that part of the car opened up on my old Insight, but as I recall, there is a lot of room to work with to creatively mount a different condensor.

Of course you would want something about the same size. If it came out of another Honda, it would probably be an easier fit and hook up.

Another option might be to try to find a professional welder that welds that kind of stuff.

ran_deep · 08-09-2011, 07:52 AM

circa1986 - no, its not worth to claim insurance since the "non claimable benefits" saving is almost same.

cobb - its quite difficult to get honda fit parts too here since it imported model too.

jayemtee - met number of welders, and none could fix this. But you gave some thought here. I will meet some supplier to see if we can modify some other condenser to fit in.

Folks, appreciate your feedback.

**Jayemtee** · 08-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Were your welders trying to fix the damage or stop the leak?

Again, the system has no idea what is sitting up front. Depending on the style of condenser, there are two options to stop the leak without repairing the damage. One is to cut out the damage and weld the two open ends closed so it won't leak. It makes that leg of the coil useless. The other option is to bypass that leg of the coil on the ends where it is much easier to weld.

Cobb · 08-10-2011, 12:46 AM

Ok.

Well, technically you cant "weld" aluminum. Yuu have to braze it.

Like Jay said, its just a "radiator" for freon, so any that fits will do. The evaporator has special grooves in it to make the heat exchange more efficient.

**Jayemtee** · 08-10-2011, 02:11 AM

Cobb, that's sort of the point in my first note. Aluminum can not be welded by typical back yard welders. There are high tech methods of welding it, with the most basic being TIG.

vegajf51 · 08-10-2011, 03:03 AM

Here is another one on ebay

2010 2011 HONDA INSIGHT A/C AC CONDENSER CONDENSOR NEW | eBay

kjanracing · 08-12-2011, 11:49 AM

An AC condenser isn't a universal part. Make sure the piping fittings are the same as the original and in the same place. It isn't like you can bend the connecting pipes around to fit some different location. I wouldn't trust something like that on EBAY. Just spend the bucks on a new one, properly installed and charged and be done with it.