Question: How much should AC hoses cost? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anghrist · #1 06-01-2012, 01:50 PM

I am going to pull both A/C hoses that went to the York compressor.

These hoses bind pretty badly when trying to fit onto the new Sanden, so I plan on having at least one of them (Evap to Suction) custom built to fit (without rubbing against the top of threaded shock shaft or the air cleaner).

The other hose (Discharge to Condensor) is about an inch too long which causes the hose to be pushed down against the cooling system hose from the water pump housing to the tube leading to the heater duovalve on the firewall. If these hoses are not too expensive to make, I will have this one remade to eliminate the tension on the hose.

I plan on using wire coat hangers to mock-up hose 'templates' for the fine gents at the shop that makes these hoses.

I'm just trying to get a ballpark estimate of what it will take (what's reasonable) for having AC hoses made.

Graplr · #2 06-01-2012, 02:02 PM

If they just have to cut and recrimp then you may get away for $100 or so. If they have to build new hoses from scratch I would expect a minimum of $300 for a main set at the compressor, probably closer to $500.

You can build your own. I bought a used crimper set off fleebay a few years ago for about $90 when I added a parallel flow condenser to my 84SD. New ones are in the range of $150. Then you just need to buy hose fittings online. Probably less than $50 in parts for what you need to do.

Air&Road · #3 06-01-2012, 02:40 PM

Buy the hose and fittings and trim and fit them in place. Once they are all fit to size and oriented correctly, take them to a local hydraulics or auto a/c shop for crimping. If you can't find a local supplier, send them to me and I will crimp them for you. Won't cost anything but your shipping both ways.

Best of luck

anghrist · #4 06-01-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

If they just have to cut and recrimp then you may get away for $100 or so. If they have to build new hoses from scratch I would expect a minimum of $300 for a main set at the compressor, probably closer to $500.

You can build your own. I bought a used crimper set off fleebay a few years ago for about $90 when I added a parallel flow condenser to my 84SD. New ones are in the range of $150. Then you just need to buy hose fittings online. Probably less than $50 in parts for what you need to do.

Ouch.

I need a source for those parts before I can go DIY. Any suggestions?

anghrist · #5 06-01-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

Buy the hose and fittings and trim and fit them in place.

I need a source for those parts before I can go DIY. Any suggestions?

Air&Road · #6 06-01-2012, 05:59 PM

Try ackits dot com or acsource dot com.

tbomachines · #7 06-01-2012, 06:35 PM

Question: can you use hydraulic hose if ts rated for the psi? Looks like the same stuff

Air&Road · #8 06-01-2012, 10:48 PM

There are several different hose types, even between 134 and 12. The hose type used for 134 will work for both. If it were my car I would use a/c type hose. Since a/c hose is numbered it might even different hose sizes than hydraulic hose but I really don't know. Good news is refrigerant hose in bulk is not very expensive. To rebuild an existing hose you also have to buy the crimp ferrules.

I imagine the guy at the hydraulic hose shop can answer the question off the top of his head. They make a/c hoses as well as hydraulic hoses.

If someone needs a short hose, I have some various scraps, I think number 12 and number 8.

Graplr · #9 06-02-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anghrist

Ouch.

I need a source for those parts before I can go DIY. Any suggestions?

IIWY, I would take Larry up on his generous offer. Just order the parts. I've had good luck with AC Source - Automotive Air Conditioning, AC Parts Tools Equipment Kits - HOSE FITTINGS(BEADLOCK) but have also ordered from other places. I can't recall the website offhand, some searching on my parallel flow conversion may reveal the website. If you do send them out to Larry make sure to mark the direction the fittings go as you could have one facing 180 degrees in the wrong direction and it won't fit. I would just tape/permanent marker to make marks on each the hose and fitting with numbers to make sure they are properly aligned when being crimped.

If you want to buy your own crimper, here is the set I was talking about. Mastercool 71550 Manually Operated A/C Hose Crimper, Hose and Tubing Tools - Toolfetch.com
I don't know anything about this website, just did a simple Google search for Mastercool Hose Crimper. Other brands sell them as well. Buy at your own regard as I bought an older used set off fleebay. An impact gun works well for using the crimping tool.

anghrist · #10 06-02-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

IIWY, I would take Larry up on his generous offer. Just order the parts. I've had good luck with AC Source - Automotive Air Conditioning, AC Parts Tools Equipment Kits - HOSE FITTINGS(BEADLOCK) but have also ordered from other places. I can't recall the website offhand, some searching on my parallel flow conversion may reveal the website. If you do send them out to Larry make sure to mark the direction the fittings go as you could have one facing 180 degrees in the wrong direction and it won't fit. I would just tape/permanent marker to make marks on each the hose and fitting with numbers to make sure they are properly aligned when being crimped.

If you want to buy your own crimper, here is the set I was talking about. Mastercool 71550 Manually Operated A/C Hose Crimper, Hose and Tubing Tools - Toolfetch.com
I don't know anything about this website, just did a simple Google search for Mastercool Hose Crimper. Other brands sell them as well. Buy at your own regard as I bought an older used set off fleebay. An impact gun works well for using the crimping tool.

This would work great, but I need rotolock fittings. Still looking for a good supplier.

anghrist · #11 06-02-2012, 01:18 PM

The old connectors are rotolock and there are hard manifold lines that keep everything in place at the top of the (York) compressor:

and

The new compressor has the connectors further back and at angles:

Putting the new connections much closer to the air cleaner:

Discharge line is too long and not angled correctly:

Suction line binds against aircleaner:

And against suction line tab:

anghrist · #12 06-02-2012, 01:20 PM

Can they be connected in their current state... yes. But both the connection ends and the black hoses are under tension and I just don't think that works out well in the long run.

If I do reuse the current suction fitting, then the service cap will be difficult to access without removal of the air cleaner.

Graplr · #13 06-02-2012, 05:38 PM

R134 ROTO LOCK SERVICE VALVE COMPRESSOR FITTING #8 HOSE on eBay!

A/C Lot Inventory of 19 Ford A/C Compressor New Rotolock Service Valves on eBay!

A-451-3127, (Miscellaneous)

Here are some Rotolock fittings.

Air&Road · #14 06-02-2012, 05:49 PM

Actually to make sure that the hose is oriented correctly, whether using new fittings or old, get it all put in place with ferrules on and everything. With fittings in proper position on hose, MARK the fitting, ferrule, and hose so that if they rotate in shipment I can put them in proper position before crimping them.

I'm very happy to do this for anyone. It only takes a few minutes to crimp it and I'll hapily do it, but it would probably be less hassle to get the hoses all together and take them to the local hose shop. They might not even charge you to crimp it.

Feel free to ship them my way for crimping though.