Question: How much should AC hoses cost? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anghrist · #16 06-02-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

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.

Thank you Larry, I will see what I can come up with. I think that the fittings may need some braising work, if I plan to reuse the existing manifolds. Otherwise, I could just run hose all the way to the the suction side.

I am wondering just how difficult some of these pipes would be to re-bend. The orientation of the bends could solve a lot of my issues.

280EZRider · #17 06-03-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

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

That´s exactly what I did and it´s dirt cheap this way! Just don´t forget your markings on hoses and fittings. Even if you are still using R12, you´ll probably only be able to find barrier hose, but that works fine for either R12 or 134. I found my fittings at Nostalgic airparts in FL.

fj bertrand · #18 08-17-2012, 09:20 PM

Hello.I have a 83 280SL grey market that needs a new York. One question is, how do I get the rotolock fittings off? so I can proceed? thanks

Hit Man X · #19 08-18-2012, 11:05 AM

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.

You need to find a new shop. If you are shelling out $500 for a few hoses, you are well... getting hosed. They run about $30-50 for a complete hose with beadlock fittings around my area. Half to two thirds of that cost is labor. Hose is $3-7/foot. Fittings are similar in price.

I had a steel No 8 beadlock brazed to an old hardpipe for a whopping $21 with tax at my local shop.

Building your own is the way to go, even if you have to revisit the shop to buy parts and have them make the final crimps. The Mastercool manual hose crimper is a great tool to own.

ROLLGUY · #20 08-18-2012, 11:43 AM

I had 2 new hoses made using the old fittings (opposite of the compressor), and new fittings on the compressor end . They welded new barbs on and crimped a new section of hose in both pieces. Total cost: $80.00

mach4 · #21 08-18-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

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.

There are at least two manufacturers of reusable A/C hose fittings that I found when doing the research for installing a Sanden compressor on my 617 re-powered 107. My plan was to use the stainless braid A/C hose with the reusable fittings. Unfortunately, I've determined that there is not enough room to mount the compressor, so I never actually attempted an install, so can't speak from first hand knowledge.

Aeroquip and XRP both make these reusable fittings. It's the same basic technology that is used on aircraft hose fittings. (I used -10AN fittings on my oil lines with great results)

It seems that you would need to make some custom fittings to transition from the MB-style of fittings to the more standard Sanden fittings, by brazing up two transition fittings. But once those fittings are made you could completely self-maintain your A/C system and run new hoses whenever needed. And it would make installation a piece of cake, since you could ensure the lengths were what you needed by cutting the hoses incrementally until you get the exact length on the car. Here's an example of what the reusable fittings look like made up:

Fittings are $25-$45 or so and hose is $10-$12 a foot

Maybe someone has some first hand experience to share in using reusable fittings.