Working on Aircon

[warrenpfo]

I wanted to ask what the big deal is working with aircon pipes and why everyone turns away from doing the work themselves.

I have a pipe that is leaking which is a common fault on the 100 series landcruisers as they run under the car the full length to the rear and over time the salt erodes them away and they start to leak.

The pipe has been repaired once by the previous owner and so to do the same pipe again I think is asking for trouble and it is best just to replace it.

I have called around and because the pipe work is laid down and the body then goes on top its a case of lifting the body on one side, removing various other body parts to get the pipe out and replace it with a new one.

I have also been told that for £600+vat I could have the whole length of pipe from front to back cut out and replaced with one long length of rubber aircon hose which seems to be the norm these days in newer cars.

My question is why can’t I remove the pipe work and have the rubber hose made up and fit it myself. I know I have to have the gas removed before I can undo any pipe work as it is illegal to release gas into the atmosphere which I can have done for £10 and then once the length of hose has been made up and fitted just have it re-gassed either by myself or by an aircon specialist to check for leaks etc.

I just think paying silly money for what is just a pipe and some O rings seems crazy but maybe I am wrong.

 

[Dave Docwra]

As long as you follow basic H&S & look after the environment, there is no reason why you can not change the pipe & then afterwards have it professionally vacuumed & refilled.

 

[Steve Wright]

I wanted to ask what the big deal is working with aircon pipes and why everyone turns away from doing the work themselves.

I have a pipe that is leaking which is a common fault on the 100 series landcruisers as they run under the car the full length to the rear and over time the salt erodes them away and they start to leak.

The pipe has been repaired once by the previous owner and so to do the same pipe again I think is asking for trouble and it is best just to replace it.

I have called around and because the pipe work is laid down and the body then goes on top its a case of lifting the body on one side, removing various other body parts to get the pipe out and replace it with a new one.

I have also been told that for £600+vat I could have the whole length of pipe from front to back cut out and replaced with one long length of rubber aircon hose which seems to be the norm these days in newer cars.

My question is why can’t I remove the pipe work and have the rubber hose made up and fit it myself. I know I have to have the gas removed before I can undo any pipe work as it is illegal to release gas into the atmosphere which I can have done for £10 and then once the length of hose has been made up and fitted just have it re-gassed either by myself or by an aircon specialist to check for leaks etc.

I just think paying silly money for what is just a pipe and some O rings seems crazy but maybe I am wrong.

Hi Warren

just a follow up on my job,I had the repair done on Sunday, and the guy seemed to know what he was doing, he cut the bad bit out, and put some connectors in and as far as it goes it is ok, only time will tell, but he has given a twelve months warranty, repair and re-gas just over the ton.

But some one had said about fitting a "rubber" pipe from front to back, but have you had a price for the pipe, and who is going to make one up ?

 

[warrenpfo]

Steve

Thanks for the update, i will call the chap i spoke to yesterday again to discuss the purchase of said pipe and how easy it is to DIY. I will update later int he day.

 

[warrenpfo]

Steve spoke to the chap who said they make up the pipe for the job and no i cant buy it off the shelf. Who were the guys that sorted your air con for you?

 

[Steve Wright]

Steve spoke to the chap who said they make up the pipe for the job and no i cant buy it off the shelf. Who were the guys that sorted your air con for you?

Hi warren

The guy who did my repair worked for the company : http://www.coolcaraircon.co.uk/ but why I was asking about the pipe from front to back with rubber, I was talking to a guy in the midlands about the matter, and he said he had a couple of cars with the same problem, and he gets in these guys to supply the pipe (rubber) http://www.pirtek.co.uk/and then gets it re gassed, but I had already arranged to have the job with Coolcar.

But to be honest, the guy who did mine seemed confident, and I seem to believe him as he has given 12 months guarantee on the job.

The other option is get your own bits, and repair it your self, Bits are available but the crimping tool is expensive (I believe)