Newbie Replacing A/C Hoses

baldeagle · 04-04-2012, 08:43 AM

Earlier this winter, I decided that I could do some of the work on my 1983 Targa. Inspired by this post: 911 SC Heater Hose, I went and bought the hoses from Aircraft Spruce and then ran smack into a problem.

It seems that two of the hoses connect into the bottom of the A/C unit and are secured by hose clamps (as I suppose they should be). How do you access that location to loosen the clamps? Do I need to remove the A/C unit? How difficult is that?

Thanks much for any suggestions!

Barrpete · 04-04-2012, 11:19 AM

Sounds like you're talking about the evaporator in the smuggler's box. The evaporator & fan assembly is inside a plastic housing inside the smugglers box. You'll need to remove the passenger side floorboard and disconnect the fan speed controller thing underneath to get the housing assembly out.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Are you talking about the defroster/fresh air hose connections in the trunk? The AC supply is from the smugglers box and it's about an 1" long piece of hose without any clamps on it. It goes from the top of the evap enclosure to the firewall.

baldeagle · 04-04-2012, 02:26 PM

They are in the trunk, so they must be the defroster/fresh air hoses. They do run right into what I believe is the condenser for the A/C unit. To the right in the photo below. The main hose, which runs across the top of the engine is not attached.

Thanks.

Barrpete · 04-04-2012, 02:55 PM

To the right in your photo (with the belt & pulley) is the AC compressor, the condenser should be attached to the decklid. One hose from the compressor should lead to the passenger side of the decklid condensor and be held in place on the decklid hinge. The other hose should go through the engine tin and up along the passenger side of the car and connect to the evaporator in the smugglers box. Sounds like one hose may have been disconnected from the condensor was left laying on top of the engine?

Danny_Ocean · 04:26 PM

The "trunk" is in the front of your vehicle.

He's referring to the heater hoses, not A/C hoses. Aircraft Spruce sells the S.C.A.T. tubing.

Yes, you need to unbolt and lift up the A/C compressor in order to get to the hose. They are connected to your engine tin, not your "A/C unit".