AC Gurus - Can AC line be flexed too much?
 

Sorry if this is a stupid question - I am in the middle of an AC update project (new lines, static underbelly condenser, etc) and am wondering if the lines can be flexed too much causing flow problems in the system. In my car, an 86 930, the line that goes up into the decklid on the driver's side has to make a pretty good bend from the decklid arm around the decklid sheet metal and up inside the decklid. The is causing the line to slightly flatten where it bends around the sheet metal. The old lines I removed had to make some big contortions as well, but they almost looked as if they were preformed to those bends (no flattening). Is this a problem? Will the internal pressure from the system smooth this out when the AC is charged? Thanks.

Hey.. Out of curiousity where did you get the underbelly condensor, and what $$ range was it in? Did you have to get cutom lines as well?
Chuck

Hi Chuck - I ordered the parts from Imagine Auto (www.imagineauto.com). I ordered all new lines, a center vent and the under belly condensor. All the parts ended up coming from Performance Aire - www.scottsind.com - but at a price quite a bit less than directly ordering from them (also absent CA sales tax).

The costs were as follows:
$395 Underbody static condensor
$390 Complete set of new lines

As an aside I got an answer to my line flex question from my mechanic. Apparently the lines can flatten and flex as you install them and will fill out nicely when the system is pressurized.