Replacing rear AC lines....Can rubber be used?

[ian123456]

I need the experts opinion. I need to change my rear A/C lines. My tech found stains on two spots along the AC lines. I have a few choices. What is the best???

 

1) replace the lines with OEM GM lines

2) replace the lines with high pressure AC rubber (Neoprene??) lines

3) Repair leaking sections only.

 

I am leaning towards #2 because I hear the lines will not rot out like the OEM steel lines.

Has anyone replaced the lines with the rubber lines?? Will the rubber lines outlast the OEM steel?

 

Please help...its getting HOT!!

[snoman]

I need the experts opinion. I need to change my rear A/C lines. My tech found stains on two spots along the AC lines. I have a few choices. What is the best???

 

1) replace the lines with OEM GM lines

2) replace the lines with high pressure AC rubber (Neoprene??) lines

3) Repair leaking sections only.

 

I am leaning towards #2 because I hear the lines will not rot out like the OEM steel lines.

Has anyone replaced the lines with the rubber lines?? Will the rubber lines outlast the OEM steel?

 

Please help...its getting HOT!!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I see no problem with rubber line IF you use the correct type rubber and burst strength rating hose. Your normal highside presure can be anywhere fron 150 to 300 PSI at times and it is possible to exceed 300 PSI at times with hot starts so you want a hose rated at atleast 600PSI for a good safety reserve on high side. Low side will never be more than a few hundred pounds of pressure (and only when system is off and hot). It is quite doable and a shop they makes hydralic hoses may have when you are looking for if you cannot find it anywhere else. As far a life span, some quality hyd hose of right rubber type will outlast truck with ease.

[dewfpo]

My only concerns would be ... as snoman has said, the burst pressure. I had a car that had the overpressure relief valve on the comprerssor pop twice (@538 psi) on a +110F days in standing still traffic.

 

The other is that the hose needs to be rated for r134a. The molecules are very, very small and leach thru rubber hoses. Moreso than R12. You want a hose that is dense enough to hold in the R134a. Otherwise you will be recharging the system more often than you'd like.

 

DEWFPO

[snoman]

My only concerns would be ... as snoman has said, the burst pressure.  I had a car that had the overpressure relief valve on the comprerssor pop twice (@538 psi) on a +110F days in standing still traffic.

 

The other is that the hose needs to be rated for r134a.  The molecules are very, very small and leach thru rubber hoses.  Moreso than R12. You want a hose that is dense enough to hold in the R134a.  Otherwise you will be recharging the system more often than you'd like.

 

DEWFPO

 

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A bigger cocern than the R134a gas is the PAG oil it requires (polyaklylene glycol) and the hose material must be stable with it. R12 system use mineral based oil which is a lot more freindly to hoses. If the hose you choose is safe with PAG and rated at 600 PSI or more, you will be okay.

[GM-Tech]

GM dealers have a kit to repair those long aluminum lines that run to the rear a/c. It works real well but there are some stumbling blocks. The area with the leak must be on a fairly straight section of the pipe. You need lots of room to work, so if it's a tight spot you might have to remove the line to repair it.

 

The kit is kind of a pain to use and most dealers will probably want to just sell you the entire line and not mess with it.