97 Mazda B4000 - "Extinct" AC Hoses & which AC Freon

[cobrajocky]

It's getting hot in Southern California!! And I was told by a couple mechanics that no one makes all the AC hoses for older Mazda B series/Ford Ranger PuPs, as I have. The AC hoses are all deteriorating (I only have 98k miles!) and the Coolant has leaked over the last few years to the point all I get is "cool air". Where the driver-side hose connects to the compressor, the metal hose flange is discolored "blue/green" (see picture)

My "1997 Mazda B4000SE ExtraCab (fold down "jump seats"), 4.0L V6, Auto Trans, 2WD, Long Bed. Except for the fenders and grill, it's an equivalent Ford Ranger.

So, where do I find pre-made to-fit exact AC Hoses (all of them)? Do I order Ranger Hoses or for some odd reason were the Madza trucks different? All the hoses I see online, like at Parts Geek, don't remotely look like my hose on the driver-side!

I'd like to do the hose replacements myself, is this something a moderately competent motor wrencher can do?

Lastly - Temporarily, what AC refrigerant is compatible with what was used in these 97's so I can do a short temp refill until I find the hose kits? Is the original Coolant R-134a or R-22?? Also anyone have an opinion on using coolant with a built-in "Leak Sealer"??

Thanks for the help / advice.

 

[tinman_72]

RockAuto.com

 

[adsm08]

Cars never used R22. After mid-year 1994 everything is R134a. The Ranger hoses are the same as yours, and should still be widely available, even if you have to get a few different brands (Dorman, 4-Seasons, etc) to make a complete set.

I redid all the lines on my 88 BII two years ago and I have a Motorcraft line, two Dormans, a 4-Seasons, and a Delco, but I got all of them.

 

[cnj]

Worst case scenario, you can have hoses made at "The Hose Man". There are a few stores in SoCal.

 

[alaskan155]

if the metal ends are good still just take them to a place that specializes in AC lines/hydraulic lines(some will do ac lines at the tooling is the same) and have them put new rubber on them....

i did that once when i was fixing my 02 honda crv (sold it, no Honda ever again), to install a element air compressor in it(had to have 1 line made with a crv end on it and the element end on the other) was pretty cheap to.

 

[Doofy]

Add uv dye and find the leak. Don't just piss away money on a little corrosion. I have never worked on ac but am about to learn how. YouTube shows you what to do and how and ac gauges and vacuum pumps are cheap. Best bet for you may be to just go to a shop and get your ac serviced. I don't have that luxury. Anyhoo...doesn't sound like a very serious leak, just get it serviced. Forget any stop-leak as it will probably cause more harm than good.

 

[bjurke]

do not use universal coolant. use the right one for your vehicle. known to cause internal cooling system problems. system must be totally purged to change coolant type. also some of the universal ones use propane. does not sound safe to me

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

do not use universal coolant. use the right one for your vehicle. known to cause internal cooling system problems. system must be totally purged to change coolant type. also some of the universal ones use propane. does not sound safe to me

He's referring to refrigerant, not engine coolant. He just used the incorrect term.