Braided AC hoses?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 145
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From: Austin TX
Braided AC hoses?
Ok its 95+ here and I have got to fix my ac. The high side compressor hose failed from oil slinging from front compressor seal onto it and made a soft spot which bubbled and blew out. Has anyone done braided hose on the ac lines? Summit shows aeroquip ac hose in 10 an size .53 in. inner dia. the tube on the high side measures .4965 in. could a hyd. shop crimp the ends on the existing compressor tubes?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I doubt a braided hose is going to be leak free - the refigerant molecule is very small and the outlet is under considerable pressure, but why even consider it? The last main hose I bought was $100 - fits as designed which is allmost as important as keeping it leak free. Or - if that's too much, consider visiting a local a/c shop and see if they can fix your hose or fab up a new one for less. If you haven't, fix the shaft seal - let it go for too long and it'll wear a grove in the compressor shaft. It will also shed more metal which is going to plug it up - lose enough of the oil and it will seize.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
The areo quip hose is made for refrigerant and rated for 500 psi which should handle the high side, but your probably right about the hassel of sealing it, in a custom one off hot rod I might do it, but will just by a factory replacement and be done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Didn't know it was a refrigerant hose - If you are ever inclined to fabricate lines, you can buy the necessary equipment to crimp your own from any of the a/c supply houses. Current designs - and it may be true for your Year - use sealing washers in lieu of O-rings at the compressor. When you get yours off, verify what it's using so you can also get the right seals. I know the last time I was in (to buy the main hose no less!), the computer came up with the washers for all Years - my set up uses O-rings so I had the Parts Person dig around until she found me a couple to go with the hose.
a need to know 
