How often should A/C hoses be replaced? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ILUVMILS · #46 06-22-2017, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

I also own a borescope....and I suggest you are blowing smoke up these people pants legs in your desire to be contrary.........

Welcome to my ignore list.......

BillGrissom · #47 06-23-2017, 01:27 AM

Here's all you need to know, and you can do it with minimal purchases (<$50):
www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/368512-fixed-ac-hoses-1985-300d.html

Makes me wonder why I spend time taking photos and posting if nobody finds these. Next time, try searching from Google w/ "peachparts" in the search string.
Re the condition of your hoses, look at how the ones in my 1985 has taken a set. Once the rubber hardens and shrinks, it will eventually get loose on the fitting and leak. You will notice that since the oil will leave a wet spot (and yellow if dye). But no reason to think yours are now in better shape than mine were. The new barrier hose should last much longer since the inner liner is quite rugged. I since changed all hoses in my 1984 300D, except the liquid line. Of course use HBNR O-rings (usually green).

HuskyMan · #48 06-23-2017, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

Here's all you need to know, and you can do it with minimal purchases (<$50):
www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/368512-fixed-ac-hoses-1985-300d.html

Makes me wonder why I spend time taking photos and posting if nobody finds these. Next time, try searching from Google w/ "peachparts" in the search string.
Re the condition of your hoses, look at how the ones in my 1985 has taken a set. Once the rubber hardens and shrinks, it will eventually get loose on the fitting and leak. You will notice that since the oil will leave a wet spot (and yellow if dye). But no reason to think yours are now in better shape than mine were. The new barrier hose should last much longer since the inner liner is quite rugged. I since changed all hoses in my 1984 300D, except the liquid line. Of course use HBNR O-rings (usually green).

Their is a review for the O Ring set on pelican parts that says the set does not contain all the necessary O rings. Any idea where I can source those rings?

barry12345 · #49 06-23-2017, 10:52 AM

Hose deterioration will probably occur at different rates. Depending on the climate the car has been operated in.

Rubber stands up much better as far north as I am in eastern Canada I suspect.. The under hood temperatures must be brutal in comparison in some parts of the American south. Producing the hardened rubber much earlier.

If you own the equipment to deal with a system yourself. Versus paying for service. I could see making your choices perhaps different.

Still no doubt that 40 year old hoses are really old. Is the car just a driver or one you will be keeping in the family? Also has some bearings on what I might do as well.

In climates where air conditioning is pretty much an absolute requirement. When seeing these cars in salvage yards. One might keep an eye out for any cars with obviously much newer refrigerant hoses. Since most those cars probably had working systems until the bitter end. They should be out there.

A quick visual indication like the engine bay is dirty and dusty. But one of the refrigerant hoses or more are much less so. Might merit a better examination of them. If it still looks pretty much as new especially.

Air conditioning is still treated as a luxury item. Judging by some of the prices for new replacement refrigerant hoses on many systems.

I am not really cheap and tight. When I walk it is the soles of my shoes you hear squeeking.

BillGrissom · #50 06-23-2017, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

Any idea where I can source those rings?

I use Harbor Freight HBNR kit. They also have nitrile and Viton kits. BTW, not all HBNR are green, though people are trying to make that standard. Some are currently red, blue, or even brown.

leathermang · #51 06-24-2017, 08:48 AM

I am betting that the instant fire which occurred when the silver car hit the median barrier .... was a result of it using a flammable AC refrigerant... given the instantaneous and dispersed fireball which happened....
For those who think fire is a remote possibility ....
Road rage incident caught on camera - CNN Video

vwnate1 · #52 06-24-2017, 12:52 PM

Possible but not too likely in So. Cali. .

leathermang · #53 06-24-2017, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Possible but not too likely in So. Cali. .

I could not see the license plate.. but no matter where.. it could have been a contrarian who decided to use them no matter what the laws where he lived..

but I am also entertaining any suggestions as to what else could have caused that flame ball... I can not think of any other myself...

Road rage incident caught on camera - CNN Video

dude99 · #54 06-24-2017, 01:21 PM

I would say that blaming that on a flammable refrigerant is purely conjecture. Its really hard to say that there even was a flame ball and not just a shower of sparks. Also note that the car didn't blow up.....

ah-kay · #55 06-24-2017, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

I would say that blaming that on a flammable refrigerant is purely conjecture. Its really hard to say that there even was a flame ball and not just a shower of sparks. Also note that the car didn't blow up.....

X2. It is irresponsible to speculate anything without any facts. It is not related to the subject matter. Pure nonsense, similar to what is offered here all the time.

vwnate1 · #56 06-24-2017, 02:15 PM

Well ;

You have to work with collision affected vehicles to fully comprehend how many do in fact catch fire like this only to flame out rather quickly as the fuel pump cuts off .

I have Friends in Georgia who use propane in their AC systems and tell me it's great and since they've never had a wreck it's safe too .

I don't believe that flammable refrigerants in Motor Vehicles is safe for a moment but everyone has their ideas be they good, bad or foolish .

leathermang · #57 06-24-2017, 03:45 PM

I think it is very interesting AND telling
that you do not describe what COULD have produced the effects seen in the video.

Suggest a reasonable alternative..... to the evidence in the video of the crash...

VWNate, this is not directed to you .. that was a totally reasoned answer you gave.

dude99 · #58 06-24-2017, 03:53 PM

Alright, fine. In a front ender like that, at the speed he was traveling it's perfectly possible that a fuel line ruptured and the fuel was vaporized/atomized by a combination of the impact and hot engine. Leading to a small explosion as seen.

Again speculating that this had anything to do with a flammable refrigerant is just fear mongering designed to scare people into seeing things from your point of view.

I have no issue with you warning people that using propane as a refrigerant could, in theory at least, cause a small explosion. But using that video to prove your point is just silly.

BillGrissom · #59 06-25-2017, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Suggest a reasonable alternative..... to the evidence in the video of the crash...

Looks to me like the alloy wheel shattering and burning briefly. Aluminum is the main fuel in solid rockets and many recall the "thermite reaction" commonly displayed in high-school chemistry classes before that became "unsafe". At one time, "mag" wheels had magnesium which continues burning once ignited (don't know if currently). Very unlikely the stupid driver in the video would be bright and competent enough to use HC refrigerant.

If you really care to study, pickup a 6 oz can of HC refrigerant and tell me it feels dangerous. Pierce it and light it. It can't "blow up" since there is no oxygen inside. With the vapors coming fast out a little hole, I doubt you could even light it. You would understand if you ever used a propane torch. The only way you will find to light it is to pour some liquid on the ground and light the vapors coming off. You will find it burns very weakly, with a barely visible flame, since it can't burn any faster than it evaporates. The accident scenarios by the Australian University are extremely liberal, assuming all the liquid charge (~12 oz) flows into the passenger cabin instantly. It won't. It would take ~5 min since it comes out as a vapor and it takes time to conduct heat in to boil it off. I changed a stuck expansion valve in my minivan while it was venting and lost only a few ounces. Anyone who has working on AC would know this.

leathermang · #60 06-26-2017, 08:49 AM

I am embarrassed for you two trying to use those arguments .... Neither addresses the obvious physics shown in the video.