1998 rear ac lines rotted out need ideas
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1998 rear ac lines rotted out need ideas
HI All
1998 Ford 1 ton extended 15 passenger van with rear heat and AC
Rear AC lines both high and low are really rusted, and after putting dye in, found a section of high pressure (smaller dia) line really leaking
What are my options, and what are sources for fittings and hose? I would like to run new rubber style ac lines back and keep addition of too many adapters and fittings to a minimum.
I am helping the neighbor across from me, he had open heart surgery and uses this to haul family, friends and cargo around. The van has under 60,000 miles
is there a place that can make AC hoses with the spring lock fittings?
I know there are some AC lines that you push connect fittings to line and crimp on rings.
Any ideas
Thanks
1998 Ford 1 ton extended 15 passenger van with rear heat and AC
Rear AC lines both high and low are really rusted, and after putting dye in, found a section of high pressure (smaller dia) line really leaking
What are my options, and what are sources for fittings and hose? I would like to run new rubber style ac lines back and keep addition of too many adapters and fittings to a minimum.
I am helping the neighbor across from me, he had open heart surgery and uses this to haul family, friends and cargo around. The van has under 60,000 miles
is there a place that can make AC hoses with the spring lock fittings?
I know there are some AC lines that you push connect fittings to line and crimp on rings.
Any ideas
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
At that age van you might want to consider going the expense to replace existing lines with suitable rubber hoses with steel braiding, similar to hydraulic hose. Its not cheap but if there's a plan to keep this van a while its well worth it.
Look for a Parker Store near you----they're glad to help by selling the hose, correct fittings and properly crimping it all together---at a nominal cost but well worth it. Here's a link: Where To Buy - Parker If no Parker Stores are near you many heavy truck hydraulic outlets sell something similar to Parker, that's just a name brand I know and have used for other hose assemblies.
Those A/C lines are prone to rotting and rusting away, most long before yours.
HTH
Look for a Parker Store near you----they're glad to help by selling the hose, correct fittings and properly crimping it all together---at a nominal cost but well worth it. Here's a link: Where To Buy - Parker If no Parker Stores are near you many heavy truck hydraulic outlets sell something similar to Parker, that's just a name brand I know and have used for other hose assemblies.
Those A/C lines are prone to rotting and rusting away, most long before yours.
HTH
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I was leaning towards running the braided or barrier type hoses, just needed to know input on things that worked. Definitely was not an option to do OEM steels again,
Going to make some calls now
Going to make some calls now
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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IMO a Grain Of Salt is called for here. I suspect no AC system ever "has 3/4" heater core hose" for very long! That type of hose simply can not withstand the high pressure. Typically "heater core hose" is only subjected to pressure under 20 PSI. Econoline AC system refrigerant pressure should be nearly 90 PSI at rest & can easily exceed 300 PSI running.
While "heater core hose" may externally look similar to high pressure hose specially made for AC refrigerants - it is not the same.
AC hose is also not the same as hydraulic hose either. AC hose has special lining to resist the refrigerant oil used to lube the AC compressor. Hydraulic hose is also much stronger, commonly operating at pressures over 1000 PSI.
AC hose is also not the same as hydraulic hose either. AC hose has special lining to resist the refrigerant oil used to lube the AC compressor. Hydraulic hose is also much stronger, commonly operating at pressures over 1000 PSI.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,020
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From: Maryville
AC lines don't corrode, if they were made from that type of material, they'd not last a year due to the sweating they do when in use, so I figured you meant heater line, they use cheap materials for it, doesn't last long. My 99 needs the heater lines replaced, they've corroded at every hold down location due to that being where they rub something, it wore through, they leaked very little, but one the bracket was removed they started to flow, it was the only thing holding it in.
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From: In my house..
AC lines don't corrode, if they were made from that type of material, they'd not last a year due to the sweating they do when in use, so I figured you meant heater line, they use cheap materials for it, doesn't last long. My 99 needs the heater lines replaced, they've corroded at every hold down location due to that being where they rub something, it wore through, they leaked very little, but one the bracket was removed they started to flow, it was the only thing holding it in.
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Posting Guru
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FYI: For most of their length FORD's original equipment rear heater & AC lines were all made out of the same material - poorly protected steel.
They most definitely do corrode.
The rear heater lines do corrode faster, but technically not "due to the sweating they do when in use" - unlike AC lines which only circulate refrigerant "when in use". Even when the rear heater is not "in use" during warm weather coolant continues to circulate thru the lines. Heater lines can also corrode prematurely, from the inside out, if antifreeze isn't changed.
They most definitely do corrode.
The rear heater lines do corrode faster, but technically not "due to the sweating they do when in use" - unlike AC lines which only circulate refrigerant "when in use". Even when the rear heater is not "in use" during warm weather coolant continues to circulate thru the lines. Heater lines can also corrode prematurely, from the inside out, if antifreeze isn't changed.
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