FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Houston, we have a problem.

Ok, so it finally dawned on me that the liquid collecting on my garage floor + the dwindling (which has now disappeared all together) coolness of my air conditioning = a problem. I stopped by the Steven's Creek Toyota...spoke with Eddie Violante. They saw the leak coming from the 'air filter-looking thing' behind my bumper and told me my condenser needs to be replaced...and potentially other problem...and that a rock probably damaged it, or the under-carriage may have bounced enough (while off-roading) to crack the condenser. I was given a quote of $1133 to order the part, including tax and labor.

Does this sound right to you all? Honestly, I didn't do anything too intense on the El Dorado Nat'l Forrest trip. I don't think I 'bounced' my truck any more than going over speed bumps.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Warnings? I'd appreciate it all!

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Permalink Reply by C4B_ROCKs on July 6, 2009 at 10:45pm

Congrats on getting it fixed Trish.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on July 7, 2009 at 5:40am

Thanks for the follow-up. Good info.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on July 7, 2009 at 7:47am

Glad that you got it fixed.. ALso good to know that you found an honest person at a Dealership. I am bummed that Stevens creek did that to you. They sponsor MTA and they fact that they tried to mess with you really pisses me off.. I will let the boss there know of the shenanigans. Thats why I was trying to see if thats where you bought it from.. Ok Hope to see ya out on the trail soon !!

Boss

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Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on July 7, 2009 at 7:57am

Naw, bought from Toyota up in Placerville...no experience with their service department, but I had the best experience purchasing through them. Really great sales guy I worked with. Can you believe it? Just from good vibes, I drove up there to buy my truck. Did NOT like Sunnyvale what so ever!

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Permalink Reply by DWH on July 7, 2009 at 12:03pm

I purchased my FJ from and get it serviced in Placervile (Thompson's Toyota) and have had a good experience with them so far.

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on July 7, 2009 at 10:00am

Glad you got that one behind you, Trish. I knew that wheelin' would not have cracked the condenser, the AC line damage makes more sense.

Since you mention the AC line, when I installed my lights and wiring i found that the AC line was rubbing my DO bumper. I thought I had given enough clearance when I installed the bumper but it rubbed part way through the plastic cover and there was a wear mark on the line. Everyone should be careful and check that the AC line is clear of your bumper/winch a week or two after the install.

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on July 7, 2009 at 10:23am

When DO installed my bumper carefully placed a plastic tube protection, see the picture at:

http://lnx.manoweb.com/montagna/20090611-DeMello/mid/DSC_6013.JPG

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on July 7, 2009 at 10:31am

Yes, I installed that as well but the rubbing wore through the plastic and started to damage the line. I just mention it for folks to check since replacement of the line is not cheap.

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on July 7, 2009 at 10:36am

I'll post a photo of how I did mine tonight. I moved the clip on the bracket to the bottom and used some thick tubing for added protection.

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on July 9, 2009 at 4:16pm

here is my photo...

pull the white clip out of the front of the bracket and stick it in the back side. My line clears the bumper by about .75 inch. For good measure I added piece of tube to protect it.

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Permalink Reply by EYP on March 8, 2011 at 8:16am

Leakage has reared its ugly head again.

Pulled into the garage and stepped out of the FJ to hear a small slow leak under the radiator. To my surprise, it wasn't coolant, since I had just replaced it, and thought, perhaps, I didn't cap drainplug correctly (or something).

It's leaking at the base right (look for the shiny bolt in the picture) right at the upward turn. Does anyone have the part number to the tube? I am sure it can be replaced. Secondly, any suggestions where I can get the freon (re)charged.

Thanks in advance.