AC repair

[86911TLCAB]

After years of no AC in my E30 have decided to learn a little about the system and how it works and if nothing else spend a few hundred bucks replacing hoses and O rings to stop the freon from leaking out. It was previously converted (sort of) to a 134a system.

So had the system evacuated and tried to identify where the leaks were and the techs could not find a leak in the engine bay, yet still could not get the system to hold a vacuum. So I decided to just take it all apart and rebuild it.

Currently all taken apart and I think i may have identified a possible leak location on one of the hoses which has bubbled up pretty good. My intent is to replace all the rubber hoses with new hoses, all O rings and reseal the compressor.

Anyone know of a source to make hoses in the NOVA (Manassas would be perfect) area. I know i can buy them new, but thought i might try and see if i can have it sourced locally (particulalrly the ones which have both metal and rubber as they are quite expensive new...thanks in advance...

[Richard Curtis]

Don't forget to replace the Shroeder (sp?) valves. Notorious for leaking.

I don't know specifics about getting the hoses rebuilt, but I remember from my Merkur days that it was possible and easy to get done somewhat locally. Almost every Merkur XR4Ti has a bad a/c hose, usually toasted by the turbocharger. I think there's a hydraulic hose rebuilding operation in Burlington, N.C., too. You might check the Merkur forum at http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/

[86911TLCAB]

Thanks...will do that...i found a rebuild place (centuryair) in the mid west...will see if i can locate something local before i start making buy/rebuild decisions...