refrigerant leak, can I patch it up?

[rllndg17]

One of the aluminum lines that runs AC refrigerant has a hole in it and leaks refrigerant...I found this out when I went to the garage today after my compressor decided to stop working the other day. They showed me the leak, it's next to the air intake (I have the K&N filter system) which has been rubbing on it for the past 5 years and has eventually rubbed a hole in it

The garage quoted me at 200 bucks to get a the part and put it in, but is there any way for me to "patch" up that part of the hose myself? jb weld maybe? I could be dumb, but if it saves me 200 bucks and I simply can patch it up and refill the system w/ freon then let me know...if not, they quoted me at 100 ish for the part and 100 ish for labor, does that sound fair?

Thanks in advance!

*NOTE I attached a pic of a stock engine and circled the general area I'm talking about if that helps.

 

[the98stang]

JB weld = the cure for anything!

Really, just use the JB. It will work.

 

[rllndg17]

lol, well that's what I was thinking, but I need to make sure that it will work and not be a temporary fix or a gateway to more serious problems...has anybody done this or does anybody have any experience with this patching business?

thanks!

 

[streethorse]

Fix it right or you will be spending a lot of cash on refrigerant.
No way JB weld will hold the high pressure.

 

[rllndg17]

Fixing it right is definitely what I want to do - 200 bucks it is, oh well, it was worth a shot! I definitely do not want it to get worst

 

[evolucion311]

I had a similar problem, my passenger valve cover rubbed against the low side input manifold hose for several years and finally broke the hose open.

The A/C is a pressurized, closed system and should be maintained as such. Don't skimp on the repairs on this one, summer is approaching quickly.

Use UV dye to find the exact source of your leak. You can get a kit for $20 or so at AutoZone. Follow the instructions and try to find the source of the leak with the UV pen light that comes in the kit.

Once you identify the hose you need, go to ROCKAUTO DOT COM and order a new hose. Rock Auto is much cheaper than the Stealership parts department.

Vent all of your refrigerant to the atmosphere. Don't worry, its R-134a and won't hurt the Ozone. After you have COMPLETELY relieved the system of pressure (and verified this with pressure gauge), use Spring Type Quick Disconnect tools to take apart the broken line. Install the new line. Take your car to a shop for a vacuum test, ONLY. You can recharge your system on your own. You may not have to add PAG oil to the system if you don't lose any during the repair. You car should hold about 32" of Mercury in a Vacuum. I may be wrong.... could be 28" or something like that.

Anyway, review: find leak with UV dye, vent system and depressurize, swap broken line, have a mechanic evacuate system, refill with your own refrigerant to about 45psi (confirm this pressure level, 45psi is just an approximation based on my memory of this repair)

Good luck!:SNSign:

EDIT: I just saw that your leak is on the HIGH side, is this correct? My leak was in the hose that runs from the compressor back toward the firewall alone the fender well/valve cover area back to the canister.