A/C Leaking Hose
 

The time has come to open up the A/C on the 1987 300D turbo because of a leaking compressor. The high pressure hose has what appears to be A/C oil on the surface. The question is should it be replaced? It does not light up with UV so if it is leaking, it must be a very small amount. Thanks for your ideas.
Oily
1987 300d Turbo 140K

I think it would only light up with UV light if you have injected UV dye into the system.

That's right. It would have to have dye in it to show up in UV light.
One of the ways to find leaks is to look for oil. If oil is leaking you can be sure refrigerant is leaking also.

Where exactly is it leaking? Will tightening the fitting stop it?

Does your compressor kick in? Try wiping off the oil and see if it's actually refrigerant oil your looking at.

Do you have a set of gauges? What are the pressures if you do.

Danny

Unless it's already been replaced, it is almost certainly leaking. The least expensive alternative is to have it rebuilt. A local a/c shop and/or place that does hydraulic hoses should be able to handle the job. They retain the metal bits and replace the rubber hoses. Much less expensive than purchasing an entire replacement manifold assembly. Don't forget to replace both valve cores - they have a bit of rubber which goes bad over time.

- JimY

The system has dye because the compressor shows bright yellow toward the front seals. I haven't added more dye because it would need more freon (r12) and it leaks out in a few hours. The hose is expensive to replace so it would be nice not to get into that. Before I start, I will clean the hose and add dye with a 1lb can of freon just to be sure that there are no other leaks. PO records indicate no work done on the A/C but this I doubt. Thanks for your comments.
Oily

If the system is empty and you have the least suspicion that the hose is leaking, follow Jim Yuhns suggestion and take the hose off and take it to an auto a/c or hydraulic hose shop to be rehosed. While it is off, use something to cover the open holes that it leaves so as not to soak the system with moist air while it is apart.

Good luck,

In that case the oil may be from another source becasue it would shouw the UV dye.

It might be worht the extra money to have the line rebuilt at this time...if the system has lost all pressure it needs evacuated and so its "there is no time like the present"

It appears you will be replacing the compressor if its seals are leaking.......and from what I hear you may want to look over the expansion valve also as I hear they are prone to leaking also.