Need help quick...car condensor leak?

[dkaar]

I was taking out my radiator to replace it and a tab got caught on the fins of the condensing unit. The damage is evident but I do not know if their is a leak/hole. I do not want to reinstall the radiator and all the parts, run the car, and see if there is a leak. Is there any way I can test for a leak with the car off? Is the condenser under pressure when the car is not running? Would I hear something? I am afraid that even if it is not leaking now, that the increase in pressure when the car is running will make it start to leak. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[anrkizm95]

yes its under pressure always use soapy warter.you would have had to hit it pretty hard.you should be able to hear the leak but use the warter to be sure.good luck

 

[natez1]

condensors are under about 50 pounds of pressure, If you nicked it good enough to put a hole in it you'd know, it would hiss and piss oil & freon out.

 

[ajgerdes]

as long as you only damaged the fins and not the actual tubing of the condenser your fine. If it was leaking you would know they are under a bit of pressure and u would hear it.

 

[dkaar]

Excellent to hear guys...I checked with soapy water to make sure and didn't see or hear anything. I appreciate the quick responses. You all get rep points!

 

[jimijeans]

As long as you don't pull on the bent fins you should be fine .little bumps are ok it's the big ones that are costly.The soapy water is ok or you can use a squrit bottle with soapy water(never use bleach). you i'm sure will be fine!

 

[dkaar]

It was pretty nerve rack because the plastic hook got caught in the fins and the the actual coolant lines run horizontal so the hook did pull up on them. However I don't notice them to be bent badly. We will see I guess. The car is back together now...just waiting for my PCM to get programmed.