Fix one problem, heres another. AC Hose blew up

So the AC coolant got drained when I replaced the radiator, I was told
I would need all the air vacuumed out and refilled. I did that and
when he refilled it a tube right above the battery blew up witht he
sound of a shotgun. Since he was doing it for free I told him I would
fix the tube and bring it back.


How do I fix this tube?

 

I belive it to be the discharge line

 

What car is this on (year, make, model)? Why was the AC system touched at
all if all that was done was replacing the radiator? In most cases, all one
needs to do is unbolt the evaporator and tilt it (while it is still
connected and fully charged) to remove the radiator through the top.

If you punctured one of the aluminum AC tubes, then you will need to replace
it. (Scrap yard is probably the best source for this...) Depending on the
vehicle, this will likely require special tools to remove the "quick
connect" couplings. Also replace the rubber O-Rings at this time too. Once
replaced, at minimum you will need to draw a vacuum to remove the
air/humidity that contaminated it. It will need to hold the vacuum for at
least an hour to assure the system is sealed and has no other leaks. Most
would recommend replacing the receiver/dryer too, but that is a personal
call if the vehicle is very old and you are not intending to keep it long.

Good luck.

Bob

 

(obviously you meant condensor, not evaporator there)

Bob - He started posting a long time ago about this car - a '98 Concorde
LXi. You are right - the FSM specifically says that it is unnecessary
to disconnect any a.c. lines to remove the radiator.

Maybe he said before, but my guess is he is not using an FSM.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

I didnt disconnect the lines, I took it out and the line moved a bit
and started a slow leak, I had a guy who I knew was going to refil it
for free since I was going to anyway so I let it empty.

 

Bill,

Yes, the condensor is indeed what I intended to say ... the evaporator is
inside the passenger compartment along side the heater core. Thanks for the
clarification.

Bob

 

Like the other poster said a wrecker will have the needed tube.

But be very careful if you go to a U-pull-it wrecking yard. A couple years
ago I saw an intact system in a minivan that I wanted the condensor for,
so I started to unbolt the compressor and the A/C line blew off in my face
along with a whole lot of A/C oil and refrigerant - the morons at the
wrecking
yard hadn't evacuated the system before putting the van out into the yard.
(probably violating a dozen EPA regulations) Fortunately I was wearing
glasses. Happily, it ended out well since because I knew the system was
intact I took the condensor, some lines, and the dryer and compressor,
all of which I used in my van, and which are running fine to this day.

Anyway, I think the guy that was filling it for you didn't know what he
was doing and I think your nuts to take it back to him, but suit yourself.

Ted

 

Notice how no mention was made of fixing the "slow leak" before
re-charging it?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Ummmm... WHY?!? There's no need to open the AC to replace the radiator
on either generation of LH car...

 

OK, never mind my previous post then.. When you say the line "blew up,"
did it pop open at a joint, did a metal section fracture, or did a
rubber hose section split open?

If its a rubber section, you can just take the hose to a local
hyudraulic or AC repair shop and have them put a new rubber section on
your metal fittings. A blown out metal section probably means a trip to
the dealer of a junkyard.