AC hose info, is it salvageable? Pics

[Hotshot]

Last summer I got my AC topped off and she blew nice n cold all summer. Come fall, no need.

This weekend I did a Valve lash job, and while pulling it out of the way, I noticed this massive cut on the under side. Guess age did it as nothing is in that space.. It’s dates 85 so she’s orig. Is the rubber just a casing and won’t the R134 leak out? Or, is the braided lines inside it keeping it in?

Obviously I’ll replace it, but I never noticed a loss of AC.

This would have been a R12 line originally..

[Joe Bob]

Take the hose to a truckers hydraulic shop. They can fix and likely reuse the same fittings.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Take the hose to a truckers hydraulic shop. They can fix and likely reuse the same fittings.

Sweet! Thx

[Joe Bob]

You're welcome....your gonna lose all the gas pulling off that hose.

Might as well consider doing the rest of the hoses while you're at it. They won't get any younger.....

[Hotshot]

Ya.. that’s what I was thinking. In its current state, will the gas leak out?

[Flojo]

aint that just the outer lining? you can just tape that.
no need to open up your system and go through the trouble of providing new hoses and a refill of system.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Flojo

aint that just the outer lining? you can just tape that.
no need to open up your system and go through the trouble of providing new hoses and a refill of system.

That’s also what I’m wondering. So.. what tape?

[Joe Bob]

Tape will work to protect the hose from further insult. But in the end you will still have an AC hose with tape on it.

Depends if you don't care about the appearance.

[Hotshot]

Agreed but I can forgo the looks for this summer season. Doing a lot this winter.

What tape works?

[Lyle O]

Duct tape or equivalent will likely not last too long because the adhesive will give out in the oily environment. A better solution is black fusible silicone tape. I have a large roll of this stuff I use instead. No adhesive to worry about and it's pretty strong/bullet proof.

https://www.amazon.com/Seal-Self-Fusing-Silicone-Tape/dp/B08B3JSJF3/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=silicone+tape&qid=1613502253&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFIM1FGUFE1U0RVVEImZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMzIwMThXWjRKR0VZSE5FSkImZW5jcnl wdGVkQWRJZD1BMDAzNjIwODFPRVhUMlBTS1k4SjQmd2lkZ2V0T mFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3R Mb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

[Joe Bob]

^^^^^ This ^^^^^

[kuehl]

Don't mess around.

If the refrigerant did not leak out since you topped it off, it will sooner or later, the more you use it the more you lose it. And, if you do not have a low side pressure cut off switch you will toast that compressor and toss metal particles through out the system when the refrigerant level runs low; then you are looking at a big bill.

Recover the refrigerant.

Replace ALL the hoses (whether have new rubber put on your old fittings, or buy new assemblies.

Put in a new drier.

Put in new o-rings (HNBR)

Add refrigerant oil to replace what was lost when replacing hoses and drier, when the system is pulled down and recharged.

[Hotshot]

Dryer?

[kuehl]

A Dryer is when you stick you head out the window cause ya aint got AC and drive fast

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by kuehl

Don't mess around.

If the refrigerant did not leak out since you topped it off, it will sooner or later, the more you use it the more you lose it. And, if you do not have a low side pressure cut off switch you will toast that compressor and toss metal particles through out the system when the refrigerant level runs low; then you are looking at a big bill.

Recover the refrigerant.

Replace ALL the hoses (whether have new rubber put on your old fittings, or buy new assemblies.

Put in a new drier.

Put in new o-rings (HNBR)

Add refrigerant oil to replace what was lost when replacing hoses and drier, when the system is pulled down and recharged.

I'm astonished that you (being a AC pro?) suggest the TS to such drastic overhaul measures without more detailed info.

when the system is tight it will last. that minor cut on the outer lining of the hose will not affect failure of the system.

[kuehl]

Thanks for the compliment.

[GH85Carrera]

There are two options. Fix it properly, or go for the shade tree option and patch it with tape and maybe get it to last for a while.

Your choice. It is not a critical safety item so if and when it fails completely you will only lose the AC cooling. It may well involve replacing every componet due to the compressor debris throughout the system, but delayed maintenance has risks.

Your car, your choice. Good luck.

[kuehl]

From the 911 car owners manual.
The reason this note is in the manual is because when the car was
manufactured there was 40 feet of non barrier hose in it; non barrier hose leaks.



From the Factory Shop Manual. The reason they said "There are always small leaks...."
is because; when the car was
manufactured there was 40 feet of non barrier hose in it; non barrier hose leaks.



From the Factory Shop Manual. The reason they suggest replacing o-rings is because the original o-rings were primarily buna and buna compressors, gets hard over time and does not hold up to refrigerant that well



You can find dozens of studies going back to the initiation of R134a in the early 90's conducted by various organizations, component manufacturers, refrigerant mfg's, hose mfg's, EPA, MAC's, SAE, etc. They all proved that refrigerants leak through non barrier hoses.




And, naturally, you should have some experience and knowledge of theory