Welding/brazing aluminum AC compressor tubes?
#1
Welding/brazing aluminum AC compressor tubes?
I need to modify the AC compressor refrigerant lines to fit the compressor into my BMW using a new LS1/6 compressor. I need to cut the aluminum tubing to re-route it. I'm told that a map gas torch and aluminum rod with flux (1100 degree melt) is the way to do this. Do any of you have any experience with this?
#3
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i know for any other type of gas welding, mapp gas sucks....but the reason it sucks is because it doens't burn hot enough, so maybe that would work with the aluminum....personally, i'd tig it, but i'm interested to hear from someone that's done this......
#4
I have brazed/welded aluminum once with gas but that was when I was in school, I used the cobra torch to do this. I usually TIG aluminum just because it is easier and lower chance of melting a hole in it.
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Don't tig it, it will probably seep rerfrigerant over time. A tig will probably come out stronger, but a properly brazed joint will never leak. I would braze it with an oxy/acetelene torch, and use the flux cored braze rings sold by docsblocks.com. There are also instructional videos you can download for free on that site.
#12
I've had good luck tig welding them, getting it clean is important, The oil in the line can contaminate your weld and make it hard to get a good weld. I use brake clean, just make sure its dry before you start welding.
#13
I would tig weld also, but it will take a good welder to be able to do this. Those lines are pretty thin. I would get .032 filler material. Use 1/16th tungsten and at those low amps it wont matter if its green or red. Sharpen the tungsten to a point (no need for the ball). Clean the joint out well. Use a brand new stainless brush and acetone. Fit the joint up with a very slight gap between the pieces and tack together. Now weld her up making sure to get good penetration. Good luck.
#14
first of all a proper weld will never ever seep. second the skills needed to braze alumium is very hard thing to do. 9/10 of you will end up with the whole thing melted in a puddle on your floor. if you know how to tig try that better chance of sucess.
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