F'ed up on the A/c

Hugh R · 10-23-2004, 08:26 PM

Got the new a/c in and had 38-40 degree air and f'd up big time. The way I ran the hoses in and out of the evaporator, I made them too long and ran them under where the skid plate goes. Went to install the skid plate and the hoses are about a foot too long now. Gotta pull the hoses, cut them and put new ends on them. I can't tuck the hoses in anywhere, I tried. Ticks me off!!! Oh well, at least I know it worked, once. At least it will only cost me about $20 in new hose ends. Might look at what other things I might "adjust". I'm just glad I converted to R134a, instead of R12 ($$$).

nhromyak · nhromyak's Garage

Did you change to barrier type hoses? Is this why you have too much hose?

Hugh R · 10-23-2004, 09:07 PM

Ran the hoses under the steering track and front sway bar, instead of behind. I don't believe the new barrier hoses have anything to do with it. Its my screw up. Not a big deal, I take four pounds of R134a with my four condensors; front, rear underbelly (small 18" on a side and left rear fender well. About $20 in refrigerant and some new hose ends.

nhromyak · nhromyak's Garage

It's better to be too long, than too short.

89turbocabmike · 10-23-2004, 09:30 PM

Hugh, your going to be styling if we get some indian summer. I need to get going on my A/C project or before I know it, it will be summer

Just saw your earlier thread, I'd been looking forward to a report on the subcooler. Too bad it didn't work out. But your almost done!

Mookster · Mookster's Garage

Let me ask the question:

Finding the materials and hydrolic shop to do the work does not appear to be an issue.

How difficult was it to pull the A/C hoses and replace them with the barrier hoses?

Time it took?
Messy?

Your input is appreciated in advance.

ZCAT3 · 10-24-2004, 07:25 AM

Hey Mookster - I have done this twice. It is not difficult, just pure grunt work. It is not too messy depending on how clean your car is. Once you have all the parts plan on a day to to run the new hoses. If you are having them made for you, I suggest removing the old hoses first and sending them to the shop (such as ACkits.com) to make duplicate new ones - they may be able to reuse some of the old fittings as well. I would also ask that they add a few inches on the long hoses or you may find yourself working really hard to get the ends to meet.

Hugh R · 10-24-2004, 02:54 PM

Pulling out isn't hard at all, putting back in especially when you are fitting new condensors where there weren't any before is a little tricky. I strongly suggest that you buy the hose and fittings, fit them in, and then pull them back out and have them crimped. This is really important if you have 45 or 90 degree fittings on both ends, you can't twist the hoses to change angle once they're crimped.

hkspwrsche · 10-24-2004, 03:24 PM

Just think.. once the hoses are shorter it will work even better and cool the car more!

Hugh R · 10-24-2004, 05:50 PM

So I'm thinking about it, and as long as I've drained the freon, I'm going to revisit the subcooler which I made up that leaked at a solder joint before. I'm going to try and install it while I'm in there. I'll report back.

Hugh R · 11-06-2004, 06:57 PM

Update:

Reinstalled the subcooler, after recutting the hoses, and then put back in the skid plate. TonyG from the board helped me vacuum and recharge. It didn't leak, after tighting a fitting or two. Got down to about 40 degrees on a short ride home. Its cool out (50s) so we'll see what happens in a few months. Again, best advise for you if your replacing hoses is to buy the hose and fittings, fit them exactly as you want them, take them out and then have them crimped.