General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

A/C liquid Line replacement - can I do it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2006 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
Nshark's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default A/C liquid Line replacement - can I do it?

Ok, I really need some help here. I know my liquid line (part #10282758) running from my evaporator to my condenser is broken. Its been about 2 months now and I'm sure all the refrigerant has leaked out. My questions are:

1. Can I buy a new liquid line from GMpartsdirect and replace the line, add the r134a refrigerant (2 lbs?) and be good to go?

2. Will I need to evacuate the system w/ a vacuum after I replace the line?

3. If I need a vacuum, where can I get one?

The estimated charges for someone else is 275+ and I want to do it myself, so is it really feasible?

PLEASE HELP! AND THANK YOU!
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2006 | 04:35 PM
  #2  
A-Dub's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
Default

Yes you can replace it yourself.

1) No. You should buy an accumulator as well since yours is likely trashed from sitting open to the air for 2 months. Pull the old accumulator and the liq line is real easy to get to. The new liq line comes with an o ring for the condensor side, but it doesn't come with a new seal for the evap side. I purchased a new one when I replaced mine, but Im sure you could reuse the old one, they seem pretty resilient. The new liq line also comes with an orifice tube.
2)Yes
3)I used one from Harbor freight that hooks up to an air compressor line. I think it was 10 or 15 bucks. To do it right, you should have an a/c manifold gauge set as well. Thats another 40 or 50 at harbor freight (but you may be able to rent them at the parts store)

Accumulator is 79 at Oreillys, the liq line and seal was 72 ish at my dealer, 2 cans of R134 20 bucks, 1 can of PAG 150 6 bucks (pour half the can into the new accumulator before you hook up the lines), 60 bucks for tools.

Not much cheaper than 275 if you have to buy the tools. I would still do it myself.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:46 AM
  #3  
Nshark's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for all that information, I just want to make sure I'm clear on everything.

1. Replace accumulator and add Pag 150 (half can) [is this a simple bolt on part at this point since there is nothing in it?]

2. Replace liquid line

3. Evacuate system with vacuum

4. Add 2 cans of R134a

Thank you again.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:54 AM
  #4  
Twister's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Default

Just to add...

If you do not have a good air compressor, then forget the harbor Freight vacuum pump. It will not work. You will need to at least pull a 26.5-27" vacuum depending on your temp. If your air compressor will not put out 4 scfm at 90 psi, then forget it. Just telling you from experience. I did this exact same thing last week and my little craftsman 5 gallon said it would do it, but I could only get about 24" of vacuum out of it. Had to upgrade to my fathers big boy. But he got pissed after hearing it run for a half hour straight. Next time, I would go out of my way to borrow a vacuum pump (A real one) and I was actually pretty close to just biting the bullet and buying one.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 10:30 AM
  #5  
mondi2002's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: CLARENCE, NY
Default

You can get the parts cheaper at fred beans .com
I got the accumulator for like 48 bucks.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=2&catalogid=2
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:35 PM
  #6  
Nshark's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Awesome, thanks for all the help. Would it be really bad if I just replaced the line and not the accumulator as well and see if it worked anyway? I just moved out and money is tight and whatnot, wondering if I could see if it still works without damaging anything else. Or is that a bad idea?
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 04:38 PM
  #7  
A-Dub's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
Default

Odds are it will still work, but it could lead to failure of other parts down the road
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 08:10 PM
  #8  
Nshark's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Again thank you everyone for all of the help! I really appreciate all of your input and advice.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:00 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE