I just recalled something important for R134a users
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More Turbo
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I just recalled something important for R134a users
Particularly for Fuzzface. Old A/C systems before the early 90's used plain rubber hoses for the A/C system.
It was highly recommended for R134a conversions to also replace the hoses with "barrier" type hoses.
These hoses have an interior lining to keep the new freon from leaking. Very few shops and individuals
replaced the hoses because of the price, and extensive labor on some models.
Copied from google:
It was highly recommended for R134a conversions to also replace the hoses with "barrier" type hoses.
These hoses have an interior lining to keep the new freon from leaking. Very few shops and individuals
replaced the hoses because of the price, and extensive labor on some models.
Copied from google:
- Older R12 Systems (Pre-1990s): Many factory R12 hoses were made of standard, non-barrier rubber. If you put R134a refrigerant into these hoses, it will eventually permeate the rubber, leak out, and cause the system to fail. [1]
- R134a or Modern Replacement Hoses: Hoses manufactured today are typically rated for multiple refrigerants (including R12 and R134a) because they feature an inner nylon barrier. You can use these for either system. [1, 2]
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More Turbo
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Exactly, Fuzzface is chasing a refrigerant leak, that may be everywhere, and nowhere.
Thought I'd throw this out here, because anyone here with A/C could potentially have
this issue.
When I was in the business, back when conversions were all the rage, hardly any
shops I dealt with replaced hoses on a conversion job.
Thought I'd throw this out here, because anyone here with A/C could potentially have
this issue.
When I was in the business, back when conversions were all the rage, hardly any
shops I dealt with replaced hoses on a conversion job.
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2015
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Were the hoses covered in oil? Or was the leak in a definable location? Your original reply did not
quite fit my original discussion. The dye will not leak out of the pours of the non barrier hose, but
the R134a will, therefore dye WILL NOT detect the leak.
quite fit my original discussion. The dye will not leak out of the pours of the non barrier hose, but
the R134a will, therefore dye WILL NOT detect the leak.
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I was running my Refrigeration HVAC business when the the phase out of R12 and all the rest of the chlorine based refrigerants started and I did work on a few auto units but not many. Very few of the systems I worked on has hoses but a few did and the leaks in the hoses always showed a small amount of oil where they were leaking. I never used dye because it contaminated my hoses and everything else it come in contact with along with other systems I worked on. I never like putting anything in the systems I worked on that wasn't there when it was originally made. I also wouldn't reclaim a system that had dye in it because of the mess it made in my equipment expensive reclaiming equipment.
Denny
Denny
Last edited by rvpuller; Today at 02:48 PM.
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More Turbo
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I sold very little dye for that exact reason. Oil at fittings etc is a tell tale sign of leakage.
My reason for starting this thread is the fact that R134a leaking out of the pourous
rubber hose is virtually non-detectable, oil and or dye will not be present if the
"freon" is leaking out of the hose itself. Dye makes a big mess, and is a last ditch effort
to locate a leak in my book, and needs some serious flushing if used.
The price of A/C jobs in my day were exorbitant, I cannot imagine having to have an A/C job on
a car or at home these days. My truck has no A/C, and my home has a non funtional
(TRANE) central air unit. Replaced by 3 very small window units.
My reason for starting this thread is the fact that R134a leaking out of the pourous
rubber hose is virtually non-detectable, oil and or dye will not be present if the
"freon" is leaking out of the hose itself. Dye makes a big mess, and is a last ditch effort
to locate a leak in my book, and needs some serious flushing if used.
The price of A/C jobs in my day were exorbitant, I cannot imagine having to have an A/C job on
a car or at home these days. My truck has no A/C, and my home has a non funtional
(TRANE) central air unit. Replaced by 3 very small window units.
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From: Virginia
While you are correct about the hoses, in real life a older r12 hose that is in good shape will work fine with a r134a retro fit. The old r12 and it's oil "pickles" the old lines and they will not leak the r135a. In theory they would, but you know people have to ignore advice and try it, and lo and behold it works.
Now if you happen on some old NOS r12 hoses that are new on the shelf, never been used, then yes they will leak r134a out. Most replacement hoses you can buy for your old rig from the stores are made from barrier hose, when in doubt, check the writing on the side of the hoses.
Now if you happen on some old NOS r12 hoses that are new on the shelf, never been used, then yes they will leak r134a out. Most replacement hoses you can buy for your old rig from the stores are made from barrier hose, when in doubt, check the writing on the side of the hoses.
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More Turbo
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You are "technically" correct. There are exceptions, and what I typed is truth. When chasing down "ghost"
leaks, any lead may help solve the problem. For example, a used hose off of a vehicle with very low
mileage may not have "pickled" hoses. I sold retrofit parts for literally 10's thousands of conversions.
Very few replaced hoses with the retrofit. There is always the exception. Those "pickled" hoses may in
time shed their "pickled" lining due to the new incompatible oil and freon. I do recall having a bunch of warranty
issues with retrofitted compressors. The mandatory flushing of the condenser, hoses and evaporator
may also reduce the amount of "pickling". My original post was informational only, and directed toward
FF, but I wanted it the info out there, because it is proven facts. Thank you for your attention to this.
leaks, any lead may help solve the problem. For example, a used hose off of a vehicle with very low
mileage may not have "pickled" hoses. I sold retrofit parts for literally 10's thousands of conversions.
Very few replaced hoses with the retrofit. There is always the exception. Those "pickled" hoses may in
time shed their "pickled" lining due to the new incompatible oil and freon. I do recall having a bunch of warranty
issues with retrofitted compressors. The mandatory flushing of the condenser, hoses and evaporator
may also reduce the amount of "pickling". My original post was informational only, and directed toward
FF, but I wanted it the info out there, because it is proven facts. Thank you for your attention to this.
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