A/C Liquid Hose/Line Replacement

Any kinks or sharp bends in the refrigerant plumbing will reduce the capacity of the entire air conditioning system. Kinks and sharp bends reduce the flow of refrigerant in the system. A good rule for the flexible hose refrigerant lines is to keep the radius of all bends at least ten times the diameter of the hose. In addition, the flexible hose refrigerant lines should be routed so they are at least 80 millimeters (3 inches) from the exhaust manifold.

High pressures are produced in the refrigerant system when the air conditioning compressor is operating. Extreme care must be exercised to make sure that each of the refrigerant system connections is pressure-tight and leak free. It is a good practice to inspect all flexible hose refrigerant lines at least once a year to make sure they are in good condition and properly routed.

WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant Recovery for the procedures.

Liquid Line Remove/Install:

3. Remove the plastic clip that secures the liquid line to the accumulator outlet tube near the dash panel.
4. Disconnect the liquid line refrigerant line fitting from the evaporator inlet tube. See Refrigerant Line Coupler for the procedures. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
5. Disconnect the liquid line from the condenser outlet tube refrigerant line fitting. See Refrigerant Line Coupler for the procedures. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
6. Remove the liquid line from the plastic clip that secures it to the right inner fender shield.
7. Remove the liquid line from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant line fittings on the condenser outlet tube and the condenser end of the liquid line. Connect the liquid line to the condenser outlet tube refrigerant line coupler. See Refrigerant Line Coupler for the procedures.
2. Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant line fittings on the evaporator end of the liquid line and the evaporator inlet tube. Connect the liquid line refrigerant line coupler to the evaporator inlet tube. See Refrigerant Line Coupler for the procedures
3. Install the plastic clip that secures the liquid line to the accumulator outlet tube near the dash panel.
4. Install the liquid line into the clip that secures it to the right inner fender shield.
5. Connect the battery negative cable.
6. Evacuate the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant System Evacuate for the procedures.
7. Charge the refrigerant system. See Refrigerant System Charge in the procedures.