a/c leak

[JungloSonic]

MY a/c has a leak. There is a rubber tube (with yellow label) attached to metal tubing at each end. The lower end connection between rubber and metal tube has a small leak. Is there a clamp I can put there. Can it be crimped further? If I take to shop, about how much should it cost ?

 

[ozonetrooper]

No easy fix, hose replacement, is the only way.

 

[JungloSonic]

there are some sealants you can add to the freon..is this a good option? If I need to replace the hose at the shop...any idea of cost?

 

[JungloSonic]

Too bad there is no clamp that can be placed over the joint..That would have been soo much easier. Anyhow, if anyone knows the approximate cost would be helpful.

 

[ozonetrooper]

I would be wary of using a stop leak additive.

No idea of cost of hose replacement, not going to be cheap, the refrigerant must be removed from the system and then recharged.

Thankx to the goobernment, this has given the a/c people a license to steal !

 

[JungloSonic]

I looked at YouTube video and looks like can be done in an hour but the labor for this job is 1.5 -2 hrs and the mechanic has said 2 hrs.

 

[ozonetrooper]

That is going to be for the labor only, you still have the part and the refrigerant costs.

Let's say the dealer gets 65 dollars an hour, (prolly way more), that is 135 for two hours.

Guessing the hose assembly is going to be around 35 dollars and after mark up it can be over a hundred.

Refrigerant is the kicker, bet that cost is going to be a couple of hundred ...

Lets see we are up to 400 plus ... sounds about right !

 

[ozonetrooper]

pick the year and pick your price:

Google Search

 

[JungloSonic]

The car is 10 years old. I am Thinking I may consider replacing coolant lines myself if refrigerant runs out as it looks very doable. The tubing looks like it has O rings in it already. However, I think there is an o ring on the pressure sensor and one at the Drier/receiver . I will have to move he pressure sensor to the new line..If the O rings look good, is it always necessary to replace the O rings. They don't sell individual rings but the whole kit which cost almost 2/3 the cost of replacement tubing itself.. Is After market O rings pretty much the same? I have seen a very inexpensive kit and was thinking there must be some size that would be very close to original if not exact.

 

[JungloSonic]

Is there a difference between black and green ?

 

[ozonetrooper]

O rings are O rings.