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Can AC Hoses be Tested for leaks out of vehicle?

lambertjohn on Tue April 30, 2013 8:41 PM User is offline

Year: 1996
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Golf
Engine Size: 2.8
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Country of Origin: United States

Hello. I'm in the process of rebuilding the AC system in my old beater Volkswagen. It had a failed compressor so I decided to replace everything and move on from there. I've replaced all the solid components except the hoses, which are still out of the vehicle. Before I flush the hoses and reinstall them, I'd like to test them individually for integrity. And if one or all are leaking, either get them repaired or buy new hoses. My question is: can the hoses be tested while out of the vehicle? And I don't mean by me necessarily, but more a professional service offered by auto AC shops? Is it even possible to test an AC hose while it's out of the vehicle? Before I start calling around and talking to auto AC folks, I'd like to know what to ask for.

Any help you guys can give me would be appreciated.

TRB on Wed May 01, 2013 12:32 AM User is offlineView users profile

I would say most shops do not have the set up to properly check a hose set for leaks off the vehicle.

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emsvitil on Wed May 01, 2013 4:48 AM User is offlineView users profile

Can you put the system together outside of the vehicle? (I'm going to do that when I get around to fixing my trucks AC............)

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Ed
SoCal

NickD on Wed May 01, 2013 5:58 AM User is offline

Ironically the industrial accepted method of checking for leaks is to fill the object with pressure and dip it in a tank of water, not much different than check a tire for leaks. With a hose, need a means of plugging one end and a means to connect a given pressure source at the other, and an open tank of water. Dip it in check for bubbles, visually.

Without a tank of water, means to attach a pressure gauge at the other end and to securely valve off the pressure at the inlet to see if that gauge can hold pressure. Not rocket science.

TRB on Wed May 01, 2013 10:12 AM User is offlineView users profile

Nick, that is what we do here for hose sets we build. Trick is to have all the configurations for the different types of hose sets.

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When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

fireguywtc on Wed May 01, 2013 5:32 PM User is offline

For the do-it-yourselfer, why not use a squirt bottle of soap/water solution? We use it at work for gas leak detection on natural gas lines and it works really well.

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1970 Ford F250 4x4
2007 Ford F350

NickD on Thu May 02, 2013 6:08 AM User is offline

Quote
Originally posted by: TRB
Nick, that is what we do here for hose sets we build. Trick is to have all the configurations for the different types of hose sets.

Were you able to purchase these as a set or go the wrecking yard, and weld something on the end of fittings to make a plug? Would be nice if they used either all NPT's or common brass threads, quick couplers pose a different problem.

Don't get soap and water, still need high pressure, and just as soon use a leak detector with better than one ounce per year leakage sensitivity. EPA says or at least they did, okay to waste one can of R-134a.

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