Your vehicle's air conditioning system has specific parts that can wear with time. The rubber air condition hoses are among these parts and may eventually begin to leak. Changing the air conditioning hoses comes with some technical issues that make the job challenging, and unless you have the tools and equipment to do the work, it is a job that you should have an auto repair shop handle.
Rubber Hose Damage
The rubber air conditioning hoses on your car or truck will last a long time under regular use. However, damage can occur to the hoses, especially if they are rubbing on the engine or other components under the hood when the engine is running. The rubber hoses are reinforced with nylon and multiple layers of durable rubbers that allow flexibility of the lines while maintaining the strength necessary to withstand internal pressures.
The refrigerant in the air conditioning system runs through these rubber hoses after leaving the ac compressor. If there is any leak in the hoses or fittings, the refrigerant can find its way out, and eventually, the system pressure will drop and no longer make cool air. The first place to check if you are not getting cold air from your ac system is the refrigerant pressure.
Making Repairs
With most systems in your car or truck, replacing worn parts is possible if you have some tools and knowledge of the system. The air conditioning system is different because the refrigerant in the system first needs to be released. However, US federal law requires capturing the old refrigerant because it can damage the ozone and needs processing to be made inert.
If one of the air conditioning hoses fails, the refrigerant will leak from the system, and replacing the damaged hose is simply a matter of removing it and installing a new one in its place. Once the new hose is in place, system recharging is necessary, and most auto repair shops can take care of the repair for you.
Do-it-yourself kits are available on the market, but they do not remove the air from the system the way a garage will. Getting the most out of your air conditioning system requires that the system be put under a vacuum and then filled with the refrigerant gas to the correct pressure.
When the system recharging is complete, the pressure should be constant and set properly. It is also an excellent idea to check the system for leaks with a leak down test using air and dye before adding the refrigerant. The test ensures the air conditioning hose installation is correct and the system is tight before charging. If the fittings leak, it is better to find that out using air than expensive air conditioning refrigerant.
For more information on automotive air conditioning hoses, contact a company near you.
