LLY: fix an AC line???

[duratothemax]

ok so in general I hardly ever use my AC...I just like having the window down all the time. Only time I really use AC is if its above 85*, humid, and im not going fast enough on the highway.

We havent had any heat spells really here. I was on my way back from wisconsin the other day, 1,000 mile drive of smooth sailing and then at 1:00am 30 miles from home 2 things happen. I hit dead stopped traffic (wtf??) and my AC stops working when its 87* and humid out (at night).

I look at it the next day and see green dye everywhere on the passenger side of the engine. My passenger fender liner had come off (I always seem to lose the little clips, so at any given time my fender liners generally only have 4 or 5 clips holding them in. ) and that caused the AC hard line to move around and rub on the banjo bolt on the FICM. It had obviously rubbed through, got a pinhole leak, and then buh-bye 2 pound$ of -134.

This will be the 4th time Ive had to have my truck recharged (because the system has been broken open for one reason or another). I realize I could have bought a cheap vacuum pump, manifold gauges, and a couple cans of -134 for the price ive spent so far on evac/recharges...

Now heres my question. The AC line rubbed through and got a pinhole leak. Whats to say I cant take the hard line off and put a little blob on it with the tig?? Or should I just stop being such a tightwad and pay ~45 bucks for the new line assembly (includes a new orifice tube and high side fittings)???

thanks
ben

 

[LBZ]

You probably could get away with it Ben. But with the a/c issues you have been having, I don't know if I would chance it. In fact, seeing as you need to remove that line, I would remove them all and at the very least replace the o-rings and seals. They are 4-5 years old and are likely starting to crack/breakdown if they have never been changed.

 

[dmaxvaz]

if you do weld it, clean the area off really well with a wire brush, if not it will turn out real shitty and might not seal the hole up.i like repairing things with the tig, but these lines are too damn small and the recharge process is $$$ wasted if it leaks

 

[duratothemax]

You probably could get away with it Ben. But with the a/c issues you have been having, I don't know if I would chance it.

no, the AC issues/having to get it recharged so many times are from exessential (sp??) circumstances. First time I hit a deer, broke the condenser. Second time was when I pulled the motor the first time. So I guess this will be the third time I will have had to have had it recharged.

Ill probably just buy the line. I dont have a tig, so I would be taking it to a shop, which would probably charge the same 40-50 bucks that the new line would cost. And theres no chance of contaminating the line....

 

[White Duramax]

I would replace the line. a/c lines are thin and soft the way it is.

 

[Dozerboy]

JB weld it