General A/C System Questions
08-28-04, 11:00 PM
#28
OK, the hoses.
I removed the hoses to flush them, then I figured what the hell, may as well make sure theres no leaks and replace them. I wanted to add a couple fittings with access ports anyway.
I went to a hydraulic supply shop and asked if they had barrier hose and made ac hoses.
The young man replied yes, and showed me a section of the hose they carried, reduced size barrier hose.
I described the fittings needed, and we looked them up the catalog there(Aeroquip).While looking in the catalog, I noticed it said the hose was not compatable with Alkylbenzene oil, the oil I was going to use. So the young man(I'll call him Joe) said he he would try to locate some other hose they no longer carry, from one of their vendors, and call me.
3 days later , no call, I went there and looked at the catalog again, this time it said the hose was compatable with AB oil? wtf? It was a newer catalog.
So he orders the fittings, and at my request, he agrees that we can reuse some of the old fittings(my mistake) this type of hose cannot be securely attached to these fittings.
A week later, Joe has one of the two fittings and is waiting on the other, a few days later I went there, and he says he doesn't think their other store is going to send it .
So one one of the other employees says theres an ac supply shop around the corner(literally) 1 mile, I was back in 10 minutes with the fitting(not the right kind for the hose) and Joe crimps it on. $60. total, off I go.
Finally, I'm all excited, ready to charge the system!
I started to put the charge in, and it leaked like a sieve!
It was the hose to compressor fitting(this is a block with 2 tubes sticking out and a bolt in the middle) that leaked the worst. I don't think even regular hose can be crimped on here because one tube can't be accessed with a crimper.
So, I ordered a block fitting with threaded ports on it from ac source, it looked just like what I needed. But, guess what, it was just a little too big,F__K!
I ended up cutting the tubes off the one I had, and having two threaded ports welded on. I also had all the fittings changed to the Aeroquip style, they have big barbs and o-rings and attach with a clip and 2 bands. The bands are crimped with a plier like tool.
If all your hose fittings are threaded to components, esp the compressor you may be able to buy this tool and fittings and do it yourself.
Ac source and ackits have a selection of fittings and crimpers, the cheapest crimper I saw that they have is $132. The Aeroquip style may be cheaper, but the fittings are more.
I paid around $110. for my adventure.
I hope this helps you make your decisions.
I removed the hoses to flush them, then I figured what the hell, may as well make sure theres no leaks and replace them. I wanted to add a couple fittings with access ports anyway.
I went to a hydraulic supply shop and asked if they had barrier hose and made ac hoses.
The young man replied yes, and showed me a section of the hose they carried, reduced size barrier hose.
I described the fittings needed, and we looked them up the catalog there(Aeroquip).While looking in the catalog, I noticed it said the hose was not compatable with Alkylbenzene oil, the oil I was going to use. So the young man(I'll call him Joe) said he he would try to locate some other hose they no longer carry, from one of their vendors, and call me.
3 days later , no call, I went there and looked at the catalog again, this time it said the hose was compatable with AB oil? wtf? It was a newer catalog.
So he orders the fittings, and at my request, he agrees that we can reuse some of the old fittings(my mistake) this type of hose cannot be securely attached to these fittings.
A week later, Joe has one of the two fittings and is waiting on the other, a few days later I went there, and he says he doesn't think their other store is going to send it .
So one one of the other employees says theres an ac supply shop around the corner(literally) 1 mile, I was back in 10 minutes with the fitting(not the right kind for the hose) and Joe crimps it on. $60. total, off I go.
Finally, I'm all excited, ready to charge the system!
I started to put the charge in, and it leaked like a sieve!
It was the hose to compressor fitting(this is a block with 2 tubes sticking out and a bolt in the middle) that leaked the worst. I don't think even regular hose can be crimped on here because one tube can't be accessed with a crimper.
So, I ordered a block fitting with threaded ports on it from ac source, it looked just like what I needed. But, guess what, it was just a little too big,F__K!
I ended up cutting the tubes off the one I had, and having two threaded ports welded on. I also had all the fittings changed to the Aeroquip style, they have big barbs and o-rings and attach with a clip and 2 bands. The bands are crimped with a plier like tool.
If all your hose fittings are threaded to components, esp the compressor you may be able to buy this tool and fittings and do it yourself.
Ac source and ackits have a selection of fittings and crimpers, the cheapest crimper I saw that they have is $132. The Aeroquip style may be cheaper, but the fittings are more.
I paid around $110. for my adventure.
I hope this helps you make your decisions.
