97 Grand Am Low pressure A/C hose leaking

[Sean2317]

The A/C low pressure hose is leaking right by the fan. Is there any way to repair it without replacing the entire hose? The leak is toward the middle of the hose, so there is plenty of room to install some sort of insert. I don't know what would be the best type of insert such as: Brass, Steel, Plastic or Aluminum. Any suggestions.... Thanks in advance.

[Tech II]

You have to open up the system to make the repair, so the best solution is to replace the hose assembly, because the system will have to be recovered, evacuated and filled......while there is low pressure in the hose, while running, when it stops it can easily get up to 100psi, when both sides equalize in a hot engine compartment. And gas will find a way to leak much easier than a liquid....

[thephantom1492]

A/C work is something you might want to leave to expert one due to the lack of proper tools.

First, you should recover the refrigerant if there is some left (ozone layer!).

Then you have to replace the hose. you can't really repair. The only way to repair would be to remove the hose, repair and put back. You'ld save some buck, but it's a bad repair, if it even work.

Whatever you did, you then need to vaccum the system. But before that you probably want to replace the receiver dryer...

Once all vaccumed, you can fill it back. You might have to add some oil, or not. Adding oil when not needed can damage the compressor. Lack of oil will damage the compressor.

Then add the right amount of refrigerant.

More info from EricTheCarGuy video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95RdGLFIbL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lglPJuBXVeE

Notice that he tried to repair, and it failed... aluminium is close to impossible to repair....