AC Vacuum Hose Replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena CA
AC Vacuum Hose Replacement
I had the dreaded acid leak issue on the vacuum hoses underneath the battery. I cleaned out the area and found one hose that goes down into the fender. It looked like it was melted. I spliced it and the air vents are still not changing. From what I read there's another hose in there too that's probably damaged. So my question is what type of hose has everyone used for replacement? Do you use the same type of nylon hard plastic hose or do you go with a softer fatter fuel type hose albeit smaller?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Hi, below is an excerpt from a thread on a similar theme. It is very important to use a baking soda solution to neutralize any acid residue, and then rinse very thoroughly.
Good Luck
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Basically the modes are controlled by vacuum. The main vacuum line starts at the back of the intake manifold, where it connects to a 90 degree nipple,(very hard to see), the line then travels through the wiring harnes across tha firewall to the vacuum tank and check valve,(under the battery box on the passenger side), from there it goes into the car to a junction block behind the glove box, and then to the control head, which sends it back to the mode actuator. Most find either that the line has come disconnected from the nipple on the manifold, or that battery acid has eaten it up near the vacuum tank, from a leaking battery. If it is the leaking battery, you need to fix the line, and also scrupously clean up the entire area with a baking soda solution and then rinse it well being careful to not get water into the computer and electric parts in that area, the frame may need to be repainted as well.
Search for vacuum line, or acid damage to get more info.
Below is a link to a thread with great info on how to fix the problem
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...line+vacuum+ac
Good Luck
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Basically the modes are controlled by vacuum. The main vacuum line starts at the back of the intake manifold, where it connects to a 90 degree nipple,(very hard to see), the line then travels through the wiring harnes across tha firewall to the vacuum tank and check valve,(under the battery box on the passenger side), from there it goes into the car to a junction block behind the glove box, and then to the control head, which sends it back to the mode actuator. Most find either that the line has come disconnected from the nipple on the manifold, or that battery acid has eaten it up near the vacuum tank, from a leaking battery. If it is the leaking battery, you need to fix the line, and also scrupously clean up the entire area with a baking soda solution and then rinse it well being careful to not get water into the computer and electric parts in that area, the frame may need to be repainted as well.
Search for vacuum line, or acid damage to get more info.
Below is a link to a thread with great info on how to fix the problem
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...line+vacuum+ac
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
I had the acid leak, and melted the vacuum hose.
after cleaning (and cleaningandcleaningandcleaning) with acid neutralizer (or baking soda) I cut the hard lines back beyond the melted areas, and spliced in with rubber vacuum hose. All was good.
BUT I FORGOT ONE THING: when the acid ate through the hose, it got sucked up into the hose. So, that portion of the hose melted through from the inside after a week or so, and the vacuum leak re-occurred.
I realized what happened, and after I cut the hard hose off again, I made a baking soda mix, and sucked it through the line into the engine to neutralize the residual acid. No further problems for 6 years.
DG
after cleaning (and cleaningandcleaningandcleaning) with acid neutralizer (or baking soda) I cut the hard lines back beyond the melted areas, and spliced in with rubber vacuum hose. All was good.
BUT I FORGOT ONE THING: when the acid ate through the hose, it got sucked up into the hose. So, that portion of the hose melted through from the inside after a week or so, and the vacuum leak re-occurred.
I realized what happened, and after I cut the hard hose off again, I made a baking soda mix, and sucked it through the line into the engine to neutralize the residual acid. No further problems for 6 years.
DG
