Air Con Pipe Leaking

[thumpermike1]

Hi all,

 

I have an air con pipe that has decided to leak on my Galaxy and needs replacing.

 

Only issue is itr £279.07 + vat from Ford!! Part number 1254270

 

Any ideas on reducing the cost? I do use the air con during so could do with replacing it.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

 

 

[sparky Paul]

A quick google reveals one at Amazon for £240-ish all in, or you might find a used one on fleabay... obviously, a used one is not ideal, but it should be a lot cheaper.

 

Alternatively, someone who specialises in aircon repair, or a refrigeration engineer, might be able to repair your existing pipe, depending where it's leaking from.

 

It can be an expensive game replacing aircon parts for the Galaxy, and some parts for the early cars are on permanent back order at the dealers, i.e. obsolete.

[BrianH]

If its on a straight bit of the pipe there is a splice kit available you can use to fix the dodgy section > See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Splice-Lok-1-2-3-8-5-16-Metal-Pipe-Repair-compression-kit-SAE-and-Metric-sizes-/191545611398?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c99021486for an example. Its not cheap though.

 

I've not used it (different car, and the hole i had was on a bend so would have needed two and a replacement piece of pipe), but my experience of aircon repairs is they are never quite as simple as you expect. Factor in new o-rings for anything you disturb if you want to try and avoid further issues when you come to regas it as well.

[SilverBeast]

Or around £80 delivered from Germany on ebay

[sparky Paul]

Or around £80 delivered from Germany on ebay

 

Good spot. That the way to go, definitely.

[thumpermike1]

Well ive got the pipe via ebay from Germany. Looks like the correct thing.

 

Going to have a go at fitting it myself. As i have no air can i assume the system is empty of gas so no problem with disconnecting the damaged pipe?

 

Also id there any special lubricat you should use on the seals that are on the new pipe or do you just attach it on?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[BrianH]

Best thing to use if you can get hold of it is some of the oil used in the aircon system as you know that won't do anything to the seals. You don't need a lot so may be worth speaking to wherever your getting it regassed to see if you can get hold of some?

[BrianH]

Also the correct way of tackling it would be to get the system drained/vacced out first, though if you think the pipe already has a hole in it then there will be nothing much left inside the system anyway, certainly nothing under pressure. I'd speak to the people your going to get to regas it either way as they may want you to change other bits too particularly if its been open for any length of time.

[SilverBeast]

As above I believe they use the same oil they put in the system to lubricate the compressor.

 

There is also a special tool to release the connection, probably only one end looking at the pictures.  If I'm correct one of your junctions is under the drivers headlight, in the same place where I had mine repaired (the small pipe next to it though). If this is the one you can see the junction in this thread.

[BrianH]

The tool would be like this

 

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00KBQB1SS/ref=pd_aw_sbs_23_2?refRID=102M0ZGAZ4XQM970YHT2

[sparky Paul]

PAG46 oil.

 

If the system has been open to atmosphere for any length of time, you should replace the receiver/dryer before evac and refilling.

[thumpermike1]

Hi All,

 

Just a quick update, pipe bought from Germany via Ebay, £80.00. Now fitted and the system is working fine!!

 

Thanks the help all.

[SilverBeast]

No trouble.  Glad we could help. Just in time for the heatwave..............

[fisherman2015]

would any nice person have the part number for this pipe mine apears to be leaking and got one quote for £540 to fix problem not cheap but we are very well equipped so if I can get the part number I will do it myself  

[BrianH]

would any nice person have the part number for this pipe mine apears to be leaking and got one quote for £540 to fix problem not cheap but we are very well equipped so if I can get the part number I will do it myself  

 

Your profile says its a mk2 but doesn't say what engine etc, you also don't say which pipe you want?

 

http://eucatparts.com/?action=cat_ford_unit&s_id_grp=4397&s_id_model=99theres a load of parts diagrams here, they might help.

 

If you can find what looks like the right pipe there it can be tied down to a particular one using the ford microcat disc by your vin number if you have more than one option, Otherwise post back with your vehicle details and which one you actually require and someone may be able to help.