Hole in Aluminum A/C line

[bookemdano]

Last weekend I recharged my A/C system, this weekend I'm trying to find where 3 pounds of R134A refrigerant vanished too. After following all of the A/C line around my van (I have front and rear A/C) I found the leak. A tube that exits the rear of the compressor, T's and one line runs down the backside of the engine to the rear A/C. The line runs right next to the engine block and this is where I found the leak.

You can see in the photo (with an inspection mirror), that the line has rubbed agaist the engine for sime time... wish I would have found this last year! My question, Can this tube be repaired? JB Weld, etc.? Or does the whole line need replaced.

[Rileysowner]

I'm surprised Peter has not replied to this. Although his expertise, other than making wise ass comments, is HVAC, I would figure there has to be some overlap in the HVAC of buildings and that of vans.

As for me, I have no idea if that could be fixed so easily as using JB Weld. I would think something more would be needed.

Hopefully someone will give a useful response soon.

[tbhager94]

if you look to the left of the mirror you can see that on of the hose hangers is just hanging there , thats why it was rubbing , i suggest taking the line off and taking it to a radiator shop and see if they will aluminum weld it .

[Smiliesafari]

I think that if you know someone skilled enough to heli-arc that hole you would be good to go. However, it would require you to remove that line and clean it real good. And after the amount of work that requires I think you would be ahead of the game to just replace it.

[bookemdano]

I un-did the line holder, witch was attached to the engine block. If you have rear A/C, next time you change the oil take a look at this line. Mine had no rubber insulation at the point the line wore through. I will install some rubber tubing after I get this reapired!!

[SoCalli V8]

It can be repaired with a welding torch and some aluminum brazing rods at an a/c or radiator shop.

I would remove the complete hose and take it to them. Or your alternative would be to buy a complete new hose (expensive)

JB Weld is not an option.

[91AWDAstro]

Yep, I had a similar problem. I used the aluminum brazing type rod. So far so good, it's holding. If I could have removed the hose (mine was the line running under the van to the rear evap) I would have prefered to Tig it at work, but I was impressed with the brazing stuff. You will want to practice on some scrap first though.

Good Luck

[CaptSquid]

I agree with the wanker. JB Weld is NOT an option, mainly due to the pressures involved. Fix it right or replace it with a new line.

[LaGrasta]

Contrary to what you might expect, A/C line is not expensive and more than likely a generic one can be fabbed for practically nothing.