Rear A/C Lines
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
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Rear A/C Lines
With the weather actually getting hot for a couple days, I had the first chance to try out the A/C since I bought my 2003 Ex. It didn't work at all.
So... Back to the dealership where I've been told the rear a/c lines need replacing.... and its gonna be expensive.... The Oasis report shows the lines were already replaced once before.
First, I'm a little ticked that the warranty I bought doesn't cover this... but that's another story....
I have four options... One is not to use the A/C and that's not gonna happen... Second is I bite the bullet and get the lines replaced.
Third is a local A/C shop can fab new lines for a lot less and I'm told they are less fragile then the factory stuff. They may reroute them too.
Fourth is we plug the rear outlets from the compressor and just forget about the rear A/C. That doesn't sound bad either... I rarely have rear passengers, but I really like the idea of the whole truck cooling down a litttle faster in the summer.
I'm going to discuss this farther with the service manager tomorrow. My son works at the dealership (now sales, was the service writer) so I do get a deal on labor and parts... and at least that gives me some confidence in the diagnosis.
Any thoughts?
So... Back to the dealership where I've been told the rear a/c lines need replacing.... and its gonna be expensive.... The Oasis report shows the lines were already replaced once before.
First, I'm a little ticked that the warranty I bought doesn't cover this... but that's another story....
I have four options... One is not to use the A/C and that's not gonna happen... Second is I bite the bullet and get the lines replaced.
Third is a local A/C shop can fab new lines for a lot less and I'm told they are less fragile then the factory stuff. They may reroute them too.
Fourth is we plug the rear outlets from the compressor and just forget about the rear A/C. That doesn't sound bad either... I rarely have rear passengers, but I really like the idea of the whole truck cooling down a litttle faster in the summer.
I'm going to discuss this farther with the service manager tomorrow. My son works at the dealership (now sales, was the service writer) so I do get a deal on labor and parts... and at least that gives me some confidence in the diagnosis.
Any thoughts?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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i bought my EX last april. i did not use my a/c until first of may just before going to orlando, fl. i had it recharged when i first got the EX. well when i kicked on the rear a/c there was smoke coming from the passenger's side of the vehicle. sure enough i had a leak in the rear a/c line. i had the line fix and a/c recharged ... for about $100.00 ( but not at a dealership). having rear a/c does help cool the whole truck.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 347
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From: Boca Raton, Florida
I am almost positive if you find the spot with the leak that section can be cut out and replaced without changing the entire line. I would try a reputable a/c shop. Dealers only know change the entire part.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 449
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From: Central Florida
With a space as big as the interior of the EX, you will want the AC working in the rear. It's a must in my opinion. Plus, it helps relieve some of the work from the front system. My EX seems to cool so much quicker when I use the rear AC significantly. How much does the dealer want to do the work??
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Yea, the Ex is going to go to the local A/C shop. The leak is in the one piece that wasn't replaced.
The dealer wants about $1000 parts and labor!
They did offer to retrofit the A/C to front only though.
The dealer wants about $1000 parts and labor!
They did offer to retrofit the A/C to front only though.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 144
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From: Taylors, SC
Fixing leaks in linesets is a common task for HVAC techs. No way I would pay a grand to have a line replaced.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,637
Likes: 37
From: Lost in Pa.
Yes I agree for a grand I would come up with a fix if it were me. So were is it leaking from a flex line, solid line or a crimp clamp?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Taylors, SC
If your thermal expansion valve is faulty then you would be stacking liquid in the liquid line, again reducing the capacity of the system.
If you don't have the tools to check the pressures and superheat / sub-cooling, you are probably better off taking it to an AC shop.
Or, find a buddy that does AC for a living
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,637
Likes: 37
From: Lost in Pa.
hvacguy has a good point if the system is low on charge there may not be enough refrigerant (freon) to flood the rear evap. coil reducing the cooling at the rear (farthest away from condenser)
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 169
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From: Saraota, Florida
Well, for you guys who live up north you won't want to disconnect your heater cores but that is a point where it robs the effectiveness of the evaporator,a/c, since it is right next to it, both front and rear. I live in Florida and will be disconnecting both heater cores, front and rear, and insulating the a/c lines going to the rear. I know this isn't a fix but it will help in cooling the X.
Just my opinion,
Ian
Just my opinion,
Ian