Leaking refrigerant from rear AC lines

william_hunter · #1 07-07-2010, 09:41 AM

Hey all, first post, and of course its not something pleasant, but I suppose that is what this forum is for, right?

Anyhow, I have a 2004 Venture LT EXT with rear climate controls. On a recent vacation south, we realized there was no cooling effect from the AC (it was 90 degrees in early April, lovely way to find out you have no AC). I took the van to a shop in Baltimore, and the service guy there told me he would recharge it and because he is a friend of my brother, would not charge me labor. I took the deal and went off, only to hear a loud hissing noise from under the back of the van when I stopped a few miles later back at my brother's house. I crawled under and there are 2 stainless steel pressure lines running along the left side, one was leaking the coolant. I was told that the leak was in a coolant return line.

My question is, do these lines run all the way to the front of the van? If so, I would expect that I won't have AC for a while because I can't imagine that is a cheap repair. Is this line always pressurized, or only when the pump has been running?

Airjer_ · #2 07-07-2010, 10:14 AM

They usually come as a line assembly (both the high and low side lines) and they usually run from the back all the way to the front with some fittings under the vehicle near the front. With the a/c off there can be 100 to 150+ psi in the system.

william_hunter · #3 07-07-2010, 11:32 AM

Looks like I won't have AC

I had thought about doing this job myself, but I am leery of AC work because of the pressurized systems. I might be lucky, though, in a way, if the system lost all its juice through that leak already, right?

Airjer_ · #4 07-07-2010, 03:06 PM

If you heard it hissing there is nothing to very little left in it by know. You will be fine replacing those lines yourself. New parts and an afternoon and you'll be cold in no time. I would recommend having the system sucked down after you are done to remove any moisture that has accumulated. You can still charge it yourself or have whoever sucks it down charge it with the exact amount of R134 that your system holds.

lesterl · #5 07-07-2010, 09:14 PM

BTW the lines are aluminum, Good Luck.... :-)

dewaynep · #6 07-08-2010, 06:09 PM

Yes, the lines are aluminum and can be repaired. You can use a compression fitting repair (not the brass ones, steel) or you can have a shop splice in a repair section, or you can have the leak welded. This is much cheaper and easier than replacing the lines.

william_hunter · #7 07-08-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewaynep

Yes, the lines are aluminum and can be repaired. You can use a compression fitting repair (not the brass ones, steel) or you can have a shop splice in a repair section, or you can have the leak welded. This is much cheaper and easier than replacing the lines.

If a compression fitting will do, then I am good. I can easily reach and apply the fitting, then all I have to do is flush/recharge the system, because I am pretty sure that this is the only leak. Good thought, thanks.

lesterl · #8 07-08-2010, 11:21 PM

I brazed the lines on my old Grand Am with my torch and $3 worth of aluminum brazing rod from ACE...... Too bad later the rubber part of my lines let loose, cant braze them..... :-)

brcidd · #9 07-09-2010, 07:51 AM

if it is the 3/8 inch line leaking- I'll use an inline filter--made for a/c--not because of the need for a filter, but for the splicing in ability required to put a filter in-line.....

Ididnt[BreAK]it · #10 07-10-2010, 02:48 AM

Friends OLDS 02 preimium all wheel drive with the WB package rear leak was caused by the stupid air shock line and they wont repair it under warranty . they even said that the assembly line placed the lines wrong so under heavy load the air pump didn't pump enough to clear so the line rubbed on the AC line when you hit bumps and finally cut the line its right at the bend so its not fixable. wish some can braze the lines i relocated the line so it wont cut into it again

lesterl · #11 07-10-2010, 09:45 PM

How big is the break?

Ididnt[BreAK]it · #12 07-13-2010, 10:23 AM

about half of the DIA of the air line .. its has a metal coil around the line. Last weekend I had access to get the lines but it runs from the back all the way to the front of the engine area, gave up when i got to the engine area .. looks like i have to lift the engine to get the rest of it out . UPDATE: ordered an AC line repair kit ~300 cheaper than buying a new line and paying someone to RE:RE it looks easy to do on youtube (800/600 kit)

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