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Bad Day - Hose Leak!

alchemist_bobtilton on Mon July 21, 2008 9:20 PM User is offline

Year: 1995
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Impala SS
Engine Size: 383 cid
Refrigerant Type: 134a
Ambient Temp: 100
Country of Origin: United States

Drove out of our work driveway and heard a hiss like coke coming out of a can. Turns out one of the compressor/accumulator hoses rubbed on the upper control arm and wore a hole in it. A decent amount of oil (PAG150) was on the control arm and the rubber access flap that helps keep crap from underneath car from coming into engine compartment. Honestly, it didn't seem like I lost a lot of oil (maybe 1 oz??), but obviously, all the refrigerant is gone. I am very tempted to just buy a new hose, maybe an orifice tube, put in 1 oz. of oil and recharge by weight. I know this is a little shortcut, but can these B-bodies stand a decent tolerance +/- in oil?

If not, I can flush components (e.g. evaporator, condenser). There are no muffler/filters on this car, like my Suburban. But if I do this, how do I know how much oil is in my compressor?? Trust me, a compressor is a BIOTCH to remove on these cars. Can you 'push' out the oil out of the compressor with fresh 134a or 141b??

Sorry for all the questions.

Chick on Mon July 21, 2008 9:46 PM User is offlineView users profile

If you heard it hissing it leaked out fast, and an ounce or two of oil is really all you'll need in my opinion..The compressor is really easy on those, it's the little bracket on the back that is a bitch..the hose manifold isn't the easiest either..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

alchemist_bobtilton on Mon July 21, 2008 10:10 PM User is offline

I've replaced, preventatively, before a massive leak occured, the manifold hose (also called compressor/accumulator hose in my previous post) on many Caprices (used to work, in grad school for extra $ in evening at a city police garage). Not hard at all. The damn compressor's are hard to get to. the one bolt that holds them from the bottom bracket has as its 'shim' the AIR crossover pipe. Talk about a major engineering fubar by GM. Are you saying you'd just replace hose, pull vacuum, and recharge (w/one ounce oil)? I'm nervous about being correct on the oil - B-bodies take 8 oz. PAG150 I think.

Chick on Mon July 21, 2008 11:03 PM User is offlineView users profile

Without knowing the exact amount, it is a guess, but if it it leaked out fast enough for you to hear it, it stopped pumping when the low side switch cut it off. I'd guess and add back an ounce or two of PAG 150..But I can't see the amount, you have to use your best judgement on that one.. The only way to "truly" know is to flush the system and add back 8 ounces of PAG 150..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

alchemist_bobtilton on Tue July 22, 2008 8:28 AM User is offline

Thanks Chick.
Just couple more questions.

1. You really can't flush compressors, I know. My compressor was working very well before this catastrophe. My guess is the only way to do this is to remove the compressor and empty out all old oil (bec. system might have too much oil without doing this). Or, can you assume that compressor has no oil left in it???

2. What would be downside of slight over/under charge of oil? 1 ounce is 30 mL, which is a fair amount.

Thanks-

bg

Chick on Tue July 22, 2008 6:40 PM User is offlineView users profile

Changing a line due to a leak, I wouldn't bother flushing the compressor and I'd leave it right where it is.. The oil travels with the refrigerant, and I still would only add back about one or two ounces to the system if it's not being flushed.. Otherwise, flush the system and drain the oil from the compressor. Whatever doesn't come out will be minimal anyway..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

alchemist_bobtilton on Wed July 23, 2008 7:03 AM User is offline

I just checked the factory service manual for my car. On some of the first pages of the HVAC section, it says the system would lose approx 3 ounces (90ml) with a large/sudden leak. Should I trust that amount or go with 1-2 oz. One hvac guy here at work said if you add too much oil, system won't cool as well, but too little and it's worse, I think.

Can you really flush a condenser completely of its oil?

Chick on Wed July 23, 2008 7:21 AM User is offlineView users profile

It all depends on the leak, where it was etc. Yes you can get all the oil out of the condenser, but then you will need to flush the rest of the system too. If you have any doubts, thats the way to go. But be sure to blow all the flush lout, use plemnty of shop air to make sure it's dry, then blow more air thru it..It has to be dry.. you're e-mail address didn't go thru, I did try to answer it... If it was just the hose, I would still stand by adding back an ounce and a half unless you see a puddle with more oil volume..Hope this helps.

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

alchemist_bobtilton on Wed July 23, 2008 1:25 PM User is offline

The leak was the rubber section of high pressure hose that comes off of the compressor and goes to condensor, definitely was on the high side. I never saw a puddle, but then, I was going down the road when this thing blew.

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