Ac lines

[47papa65]

Trying to get my ac working. Took it to Firestone to be evaluated and they told me all the lines were leaking and needed to be replaced. Replace lines, evacuate system and refill, $700. Any body have a good source for the lines and I will replace them myself and then pay someone to vacum the system and refill. Thanks.

 

[clflorida]

Best friend?? I have a 1994 ford ranger. Took it to Firestone, said condensor and lines were leaking-$1000.

You have a 1994 mazda? Theyre the same right? I believe rockauto has our lines for around 100. Just need someone to confirm theyre right.

 

[clflorida]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=379813&cc=1137967

And this one

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3908496&cc=1137967

Are these the right ones? Are there more?

 

[cvar]

Really? They ALL sprung a leak ALL at the same time? Hmm, what are the chances? For $700, you could replace all the parts in your ENTIRE A/C system, which would seem overkill.

And when you say the "lines are leaking" do you really mean the hoses or just the O-rings at the connections? I replaced my leaky O-rings, the whole A/C O-ring kit was $11 at Pep Boys. (Photos at http://imgur.com/a/xMUKH )

 

[clflorida]

I assume its the hoses...seeing as mine are green/moldy looking. Truck wasnt too well maintained.

Not sure about OPs.

 

[97RangerXLT]

$700 for a shop to replace and fill is probably typical. but if I were shelling out 700 bucks I would want a pretty good warranty on it, and you are getting close to the point where you won't need it for a few months if you live in the great frozen north.

A few things you want to find out tho:

1994 was the transition year for R12 to R134a in the Ranger/ B series. Early 94's have R12 and later 134a and the oil used in R12 systems is *not* compatible with 134a systems. If you have an R12 system and they slap new hoses and evacuate and put in 134a you will end up destroying your compressor and with that it will gunk up your new lines, your evaporator, and your condenser. That will be over a $1000 to fix, and I will almost guarantee Firestone will balk at footing the bill...

But CVAR is right, you can replace the entire system (hoses, compressor, evaporator, condenser, accumulator/dryer) for 700 bucks and do it yourself.

If your system is a 134a system, you are golden. More than likely your refrigerant will have already leaked out and you can replace the hoses yourself, then take it to the shop to have them pull a vacuum and recharge it, or find or rent the tools and do it all yourself.

I rebuilt my a/c last summer. Here is the write up that I did and what I ended up having to buy to do it all myself. My truck is a 97 and there were a few differences in the 96-97 than 95 and older. research your model year truck, make sure you know what your truck needs, and make sure it is a 134a system. there should be a sticker on the core support telling you what it is, and how much refrigerant is in it.

Read through the write up, it will tell you a lot of what you will need to do and what tools you will need to get it done:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144542

AJ

 

[Bronco638]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144542

AJ

AJ, would your write-up apply to a 2001 model year Edge? TIA, Dave

 

[97RangerXLT]

The basics will apply but the amount of r134a will probably be different and the hose connections to the condenser will be different. Just pay attention to details and take your time

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[47papa65]

Thanks for the write up. Truck was r12, but was changed over to 134-a a few year ago. They changed only the compressor and fittings. It worked alright for a couple of years, but then not so well. Finally quit all together and as it was not driven much, I did not fix it. Now, I am going to give it to my grandson and wanted to get the air working.

Is it possible the change to 134-a made the hoses go bad? What all would need to be replaced at this point? Can I flush it good, change lines, dryer, and compressor or do I need to replace everything? Thanks again.

 

[adsm08]

The rubber and linings of the hoses are not the same between R12 and R134a. R12 molecules are larger and so the rubber in R12 hoses is more porous. That is why all of your hoses are leaking.

 

[97RangerXLT]

What adms said. 134a hoses are of a barrier type material and will hold the 134a molecules where as the old hoses will not, and even if your old R12 style hoses were new, they would still leak out the R134a refrigerant.

AJ

 

[47papa65]

Well,I pulled the hoses on the ac today. Flushed the evaporator and condenser multiple times until it was all clear liquid. Putting new hoses and dryer on tomorrow and was wondering what oil to use. At one time it was an r12 system and I don't think the evaporator and condenser have ever been changed. Thanks for your help. The oil out of the dryer was yellow if that helps.

 

[exbass94]

R12 systems use mineral oil, so that's probably what your truck had. You can't use it with R134a though. Systems that were originally R134a use PAG oil, which is not compatible with mineral oil. For a R134a conversion, I would use Ester oil. It works with R134a and is compatible with any residual mineral oil that might still be in the system.

 

[97RangerXLT]

^yep, what he said. PAG and Mineral oil will combine into a nasty substance that will plug up your system and not lubricate teh compressor....

Definitely go with Esther oil


AJ