Suggestions for AC line leak quick fixes?

[jwakil]

My car has some defective AC lines which are spring leaks at the metal joints shown in the picture. I already replaced one, then found at least two more. I don't want to be flopping down big bucks to remove and replace these lines and so was trying to figure out an easy way to at least slow down the leaks enough so I can get away with not having to tear everything apart. So far I've thought of trying the following, and am soliciting any other ideas anyone might have tried.
1. Dab some off-the -shelf quick setting loctite epoxy on the joint
2. Somehow melt some solder far enough away and dab it on the joint before it hardens. (There is no way I can us a blow torch on the joints).
3. Others....??



Just a comment to those who have been responding to this thread....this is not about the benefits of R12 vs R134. I don't want to get into that so please don't post any more about that. If you have any suggestions for fixing AC leaks without removing lines, that's what I want to read.
Thanks

[Bob Kontak]

Had a tiny leak on a 2001 Sentra this summer. Wire brushed used de-greaser then globbed 24 hour JB weld on it. Let it set up and it pulled a beauty of a vacuum and held for a long time.

Once the pressure hit it the refrigerant found a way out. Slowly released, but clearly not a permanent fix.

[Jim Sims]

IMO the likelihood of achieving adequate sealing under pressure using epoxy or low temperature solder applied from the outside is nil. One temporary fix that may work if there is sufficient slack/extra rubber hose (slack might be made available by getting under the car, taking off the splash pan and loosening the clamps securing the hose to the bottom of the car) is to cut off the leaking fitting and replace it with a new fitting that is sealed to the hose using two or three hose clamps. However by the time I went to all that trouble I would just install a new hose section.

[Chuck.H]

sealing there won't fix it - that's just a crimp sleeve that's placed over the connection - it's leaking from the hose to the barb, and just coming out there.

I notice you're in Texas, you must be the last 911 running r12 there - it's time for the upgrade to r134, you'll never look back!!!

And please, nobody tell me how r12 cools better - maybe it does in a thermodynamics book, but the condensors compressors expansion valves are all night and day better. Try to hold your hand near the vent in a new GM car, bet you can't!!!

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 339k miles

[JAR0023]

Likely the cheapest way to actually fix this is to pull the line and head down to your local A/C shop. They can crmip new hose onto your existing fittings cheaper than you can order replacement lines already made up.

J

[jwakil]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

sealing there won't fix it - that's just a crimp sleeve that's placed over the connection - it's leaking from the hose to the barb, and just coming out there.

I notice you're in Texas, you must be the last 911 running r12 there - it's time for the upgrade to r134, you'll never look back!!!

And please, nobody tell me how r12 cools better - maybe it does in a thermodynamics book, but the condensors compressors expansion valves are all night and day better. Try to hold your hand near the vent in a new GM car, bet you can't!!!

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 339k miles

Unfortunately, these hoses came with the new r134 upgrade kit!!. That is what pisses me off. These are not the old original lines. I already have r134 in there.
My wishful thinking is somehow to avoid disconnecting the hoses. Of course if I disconnect the hoses, I might as well get new ones. So under the crimp there is a barb, crap! Now I think there is no way to fix the leak unless I take the hose off and reclamp on the barbs.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

And please, nobody tell me how r12 cools better - maybe it does in a thermodynamics book, but the condensors compressors expansion valves are all night and day better. Try to hold your hand near the vent in a new GM car, bet you can't!!!

This is pathetic.

Chuck, I am pretty flexible but if you are going to make a statement like this, have some decent ammunition.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

This is pathetic.

Chuck, I am pretty flexible but if you are going to make a statement like this, have some decent ammunition.

R-12 does indeed cool better, and at much lower pressures.

The ammo for that statement is readily available.

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by jwakil

Unfortunately, these hoses came with the new r134 upgrade kit!!. .

I would suggest discussing the issue with the supplier of the kit first (off line of the forum), I'm sure they would toss you a new hose gratis.

Otherwise, buy another hose here from the host (looks like a drier to TEV line) replace the entire hose assembly and o-rings. They are not that expensive, as in either case you have to recover, evacuate and recharge.

[jwakil]

Originally Posted by kuehl

I would suggest discussing the issue with the supplier of the kit first (off line of the forum), I'm sure they would toss you a new hose gratis.

Otherwise, buy another hose here from the host (looks like a drier to TEV line) replace the entire hose assembly and o-rings. They are not that expensive, as in either case you have to recover, evacuate and recharge.

I've already contacted the supplier. They were shocked to hear someone wasn't pleased with their product.
The hoses are not the expensive part. Its all the labor, and unfortunately I don't have the tools to do it myself. Plus, I've already replaced one hose, so if I replace just this one, what's to say 2 months down another one starts to go. So I might have to replace all of them.

[Chuck.H]

Sorry I didn't mean to come across snippy, but in my emperical testing, the A/C systems in new cars is at least as good if not better than the older R12 systems... it's not like you hear anybody complaining about the good old days of A/C when we had R12.

The R134 conversion made my A/C ice cold, so for me the new components made a HUGE difference, despite the inferiority of the refrigerant.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 339k miles

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

Sorry I didn't mean to come across snippy,..........

Hell, I'm all for snippy. Maybe I am missing that you know more about the components that jwakil installed. I am assuming stock except for barrier hose and a new RD.

My take was the reference to new GM AC efficiency vs an old 911 is grossly unfair. Like saying a Saturn V rocket utilizes fuel better than rockets use in the 50's.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

Sorry I didn't mean to come across snippy, but in my emperical testing, the A/C systems in new cars is at least as good if not better than the older R12 systems... it's not like you hear anybody complaining about the good old days of A/C when we had R12.

The R134 conversion made my A/C ice cold, so for me the new components made a HUGE difference, despite the inferiority of the refrigerant.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 339k miles

The new car systems were designed around the pressures and needs of 134. No doubt my wife's car has the best AC possible. It is truly amazing how fast it can freeze you out in 114 degree weather. The heater is awesome as well.

If you can do a clean slate redesign of the entire AC system 134 can do wonders. To retro fit it to a 30 year old car with poor AC at best, R-12 is better than 134. Not orders of magnitude but better.

Back in July I drove my 911 to Salt Lake City in July. It was 104 almost every day. We were quite comfortable on all day trips. My 911 AC does not even match my 1986 El Camino AC, but it is WAY better than factory stock. I have R-12 and the two fender mounted condensers and a new evaporator. Of course all new hoses. It works.

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by jwakil

I've already contacted the supplier. They were shocked to hear someone wasn't pleased with their product.
The hoses are not the expensive part. Its all the labor, and unfortunately I don't have the tools to do it myself. Plus, I've already replaced one hose, so if I replace just this one, what's to say 2 months down another one starts to go. So I might have to replace all of them.

How long ago did you purchase the kit?

[jwakil]

Originally Posted by kuehl

How long ago did you purchase the kit?

Kit was bought about a year ago and installed about 6 months ago. The bad thing is I guess the leaks weren't initially evident.

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by jwakil

Kit was bought about a year ago and installed about 6 months ago. The bad thing is I guess the leaks weren't initially evident.

A leak at the crimped ferrule or the point where tubing exits the ferrule makes me wonder about an error made while fabricating the hose assemblies or the supplier's fitting supplier.

Are the hoses you purchased "reduced" barrier hoses or standard diameter barrier hoses?

Have you discussed this some more with the supplier, one year is a bit unusual for
failures.

[jwakil]

Originally Posted by kuehl

A leak at the crimped ferrule or the point where tubing exits the ferrule makes me wonder about an error made while fabricating the hose assemblies or the supplier's fitting supplier.

Are the hoses you purchased "reduced" barrier hoses or standard diameter barrier hoses?

Have you discussed this some more with the supplier, one year is a bit unusual for
failures.

I don't know if they are the reduced or standard diameter. I complained to the supplier. They seemed to be surprised with my claims and offered reduced price replacements for the hoses. Unfortunately that won't save me that much money.

[kuehl]

Sorry to hear that.
Our Kuehl hoses have a 3 year warranty.