Recharge A/C procedure

[kbuskill]

That sucks that you are still having issues.

I know there is a kit out there that replaces the entire length of tubing from front to rear and it comes in like 3 different sections, presumably to make it cheaper/easier to ship and easier to install. My main concern would be the fact that you are introducing more couplers and joint as potential leak points. The positive side is all the fittings are already attached so you "shouldn't" have to worry about them leaking upon installation.

 

[alvocado]

I pulled the repair hose section off this morning. The ferrules on both ends spin on the tubing indicating they did not seat but can not be pulled off the tubing ends. The compression nut threads all the way down by hand to the hose end fitting so it's not possible to tighten further to get the ferrule set.

I'm at a loss as to why these ferrules won't seat. One of the cut ends I removed was fine and now both ends are not sealing.

Am I missing something obvious on the the install procedure? I make sure the male fitting is bottomed out on the tubing, start the compression nut by hand, tighten down until snug with 1-2 threads showing. They leak every time so I keep tightening until there is no more room to go and still no seal.

 

[kbuskill]

I pulled the repair hose section off this morning. The ferrules on both ends spin on the tubing indicating they did not seat but can not be pulled off the tubing ends. The compression nut threads all the way down by hand to the hose end fitting so it's not possible to tighten further to get the ferrule set.

I'm at a loss as to why these ferrules won't seat. One of the cut ends I removed was fine and now both ends are not sealing.

Am I missing something obvious on the the install procedure? I make sure the male fitting is bottomed out on the tubing, start the compression nut by hand, tighten down until snug with 1-2 threads showing. They leak every time so I keep tightening until there is no more room to go and still no seal.

Where did you get the fittings?

Perhaps, they gave you the wrong size ferrules.

 

[alvocado]

Good news to report. I did some research on stainless steel ferrules and there's a fine balance between too loose and too tight. I got the ferrule off the small tubing stub with just enough room for one more try and cut off the other end. Installed two new ferrules until the assembly wouldn't spin on the tubes then started pulling a vacuum. I checked if the system would hold vacuum and if not, I turned each compression nut 1/8 turn, continuing to do this until vacuum held.

Ran the vacuum pump for 2 hours and the system still held after shutting it off. Recharged with 3 cans of r134a and no sign of leaks and it's blowing cold. I needed an extra 4 oz (40 oz capacity spec) but the loaner manifold gauge had a leaky high side fitting and I figured I'd test it for a few days to see if it is indeed holding before topping it off. I can always add 4oz later but there's plenty of refrigerant to run the system safely.

This was one massive PITA for a first time AC repair but I would have no hesitation swapping out a compressor or fixing another leak after this, provided it doesn't involve one of these darn hose sections!

 

[j91z28d1]

that's good news. hopefully it helps. someone else too if they use this style fittings. I wouldn't have guessed either