Fix one problem, heres another. AC Hose blew up

So the AC coolant got drained when I replaced the radiator, I was told I would need all the air vacuumed out and refilled. I did that and when he refilled it a tube right above the battery blew up witht he sound of a shotgun. Since he was doing it for free I told him I would fix the tube and bring it back.

How do I fix this tube?

Reply to
AFX
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I belive it to be the discharge line

Reply to
AFX

What car is this on (year, make, model)? Why was the AC system touched at all if all that was done was replacing the radiator? In most cases, all one needs to do is unbolt the evaporator and tilt it (while it is still connected and fully charged) to remove the radiator through the top.

If you punctured one of the aluminum AC tubes, then you will need to replace it. (Scrap yard is probably the best source for this...) Depending on the vehicle, this will likely require special tools to remove the "quick connect" couplings. Also replace the rubber O-Rings at this time too. Once replaced, at minimum you will need to draw a vacuum to remove the air/humidity that contaminated it. It will need to hold the vacuum for at least an hour to assure the system is sealed and has no other leaks. Most would recommend replacing the receiver/dryer too, but that is a personal call if the vehicle is very old and you are not intending to keep it long.

Good luck.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

(obviously you meant condensor, not evaporator there)

Bob - He started posting a long time ago about this car - a '98 Concorde LXi. You are right - the FSM specifically says that it is unnecessary to disconnect any a.c. lines to remove the radiator.

Maybe he said before, but my guess is he is not using an FSM.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Reply to
Bill Putney

I didnt disconnect the lines, I took it out and the line moved a bit and started a slow leak, I had a guy who I knew was going to refil it for free since I was going to anyway so I let it empty.

Reply to
AFX

Bill,

Yes, the condensor is indeed what I intended to say ... the evaporator is inside the passenger compartment along side the heater core. Thanks for the clarification.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

Like the other poster said a wrecker will have the needed tube.

But be very careful if you go to a U-pull-it wrecking yard. A couple years ago I saw an intact system in a minivan that I wanted the condensor for, so I started to unbolt the compressor and the A/C line blew off in my face along with a whole lot of A/C oil and refrigerant - the morons at the wrecking yard hadn't evacuated the system before putting the van out into the yard. (probably violating a dozen EPA regulations) Fortunately I was wearing glasses. Happily, it ended out well since because I knew the system was intact I took the condensor, some lines, and the dryer and compressor, all of which I used in my van, and which are running fine to this day.

Anyway, I think the guy that was filling it for you didn't know what he was doing and I think your nuts to take it back to him, but suit yourself.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Mittelstaedt

Notice how no mention was made of fixing the "slow leak" before re-charging it?

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

Reply to
Bill Putney

Ummmm... WHY?!? There's no need to open the AC to replace the radiator on either generation of LH car...

Reply to
Steve

OK, never mind my previous post then.. When you say the line "blew up," did it pop open at a joint, did a metal section fracture, or did a rubber hose section split open?

If its a rubber section, you can just take the hose to a local hyudraulic or AC repair shop and have them put a new rubber section on your metal fittings. A blown out metal section probably means a trip to the dealer of a junkyard.

Reply to
Steve

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