GM 4108a OTR A/C Condenser Coil

[richard5933]

Does anyone know if the condenser coil on the 4108 can be moved out of the way to gain access to the components mounted in the bay behind it?

One the 4106 the condenser coil was mounted with hinges on one side and the whole thing could easily be swung out of the way. It obviously had enough flex in the refrigerant lines to allow this to happen. This is not the case on the 4108.

The condenser coil on the 4108 is bolted in place. I have been told that if I unbolt the condenser coil on my 4108 it will be possible to move it enough to get behind it to work on the booster pump. I can picture it working if I rig a support above it to hold it up and keep it from falling, like maybe using the boom from an engine hoist to hang it from. What I don't know if there is any flex in the refrigerant lines which connect to it to allow any movement, or if it is connected with solid copper with no movement possible.

The hatch on the rear bulkhead of this compartment is small. I can get through it but only barely, and it will be difficult to accomplish the booster pump repair through this hatch. The other way I might gain access is by dropping the fan mounted in the floor of this compartment. It's a large fan designed to move air through the condenser coil, and it appears to mount from under the coach. If this drops from the bottom I could gain access that way, but not as easily as through the side by moving the condenser coil (if that's possible.)

Any advice would be most welcome.

[Templar52]

Hello RICHARD,you are still on that booster pump ?

[richard5933]

Yeah. It's just starting to get warm enough that I care to be outside and I'm trying to get the game plan clear in my head before jumping in.

I tend to over think things somewhat, but it looked like there might be an easier route to this than my first plan. I didn't want to get halfway into the job only to have someone ask why I didn't just take the easy way.

[sledhead]

on the M C I    I redid the access door .just made it larger so I could get in there easier

Dave

[richard5933]

Update:

No matter how I approached the R&R for the booster pump, it seemed like I was not in a good position to carry the project through. I decided to have the shop give it a go when they had the bus to chase down an air leak on the rear suspension. There was no way to enlarge the access panel due to nearby refrigerant lines, and the condenser coil was hard mounted/plumbed and not able to be moved. Even at only 5'2" I was only barely able to get into the compartment and was afraid of not  having adequate space to maneuver (and of getting stuck!)

They did exactly what I hoped - they lifted the bus up enough to sit under it, and then pulled the fan from the bottom of the compartment to gain access through the 24" hole.

The rebuild kit did the job - apparently the pump was not as bad as originally thought once they got inside it. I had them change the air modulating valve while in the compartment since it was looking rather crusty and I was able to get a NOS unit to replace it.

Thanks to Cliff I had a spare pump on hand which I anticipated them needing. They didn't, so if everything checks out when I get it back from the shop and confirm full functionality I'll send the spare pump back to you Cliff.

They've got the thing up in the air and will keep searching for the air leak over the next few days. Three corners stay up for over a month, the fourth wants to settle to the bumpers in about 3-4 days. Right now I'm leaning (pun intended) towards thinking it's the left rear leveling valve.

FURTHER UPDATE:

The shop ran the system with the newly-repaired pump for a while, and it started leaking again in the same place. Now they're going to pull it down again and inspect further for cracks or other signs of damage. The saga continues. At least I've got it somewhere that I trust and can get it repaired.  If anyone has words of wisdom on these booster pumps (or a secret mystical incantation) I'm all ears.