Rear A/C leak options?

[jamesbradbury]

Hi guys,

Didn't want to create yet another thread on the rear AC but ah well. I've got a leak in the usual place above the fuel tank. I know I have the option to cap it off and just move on without the rear ac. The other option seems to be to fit some flexi hose between the front and rear to potentially bypass the rusty pipes. Has anyone DIYed or had a garage successfully do this?

I'd rather keep the rear AC functional and have seen someone in the US do this but the guide isn't that clear.

If I get the front capped off is it likely the back will never work again or would it be possible at a later date to try and reverse this to get the rear back. Thanks guys

[steve2006]

Pretty sure I read a post regarding the flexible pipe option that was fabricated by an AC specialist but not sure if it still involved the tank being dropped.

[JamesIS220]

15 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

Pretty sure I read a post regarding the flexible pipe option that was fabricated by an AC specialist but not sure if it still involved the tank being dropped.

A good post on the subject.

 

PIRTEK also, make AC hoses. Only issue need to know length and what fittings need to be crimped onto the ends to make up a new pipe. If the joins are visible and can take a photo shop may know what fittings are needed.

James 

[MLW]

This happened to me. An air con specialist rang Lexus and the two pipes going to the rear were about £950! Fitting would also be difficult and costly.

He capped it off for me (near the battery) and regassed it for £240 incl vat.

Only then did I realise I have hardly used the rear as there are usually only two of us. To be honest over the years I have never noticed. Cold air will go to the back any way just like a 'normal' car. You will loose the small fridge box but I never used it anyway.

[cichydawid]

yo man. I just literaally repaired this leak for 45$ like 3weeks ago maybe.

What do you need :

 

x x2 - in Poland (where I am from) it costs 60PLN = 15 USD

 

1m of aluminium pipe - 1 USD in Castorama

 

x1 around 50PLN = 12 USD

then these things :

 

50PLN = 12 USD

 

 

= 60x2 + 50 + 1 + 50 = 221 PLN = 45 USD

it took me maybe 3 hours but I restored few screws holding some covers just in case.

It's easy as hell o course if your faulty one is the smaller one(aluminium, not with rubber) . Simply you cut off the original pipe before and behind the tank. There is completely enough space to do it. cut it off, fit new pipe, use leaklock, use metal connection and voila.

In Poland nobody wants to repair it for me (I wanted to someone replace whole pipes for me) and after 15 calls only one guy said OK but it will cost 10k PLN = 2,5k USD. WTF.

And I got annoyed and did it myself. for 45$.

If youwould need any questions, fell free to ask.

[jamesbradbury]

I've decided to get it capped off but I took it to a garage who the same procedure to my friends Shogun and they said they couldn't get the pipes apart to cap them. They also think I need a new compressor and condenser. Does anyone know of a garage (Bristol area) that would be able to cap them off for me as I'm not paying for other parts before I've actually sorted the leak. Do the pipes need to be unbolted or can you just cut and weld? Cheers guys

[steve2006]

On 5/15/2024 at 6:17 PM, cichydawid said:

yo man. I just literaally repaired this leak for 45$ like 3weeks ago maybe.

What do you need :

 

x x2 - in Poland (where I am from) it costs 60PLN = 15 USD

 

1m of aluminium pipe - 1 USD in Castorama

 

x1 around 50PLN = 12 USD

then these things :

 

50PLN = 12 USD

 

 

= 60x2 + 50 + 1 + 50 = 221 PLN = 45 USD

it took me maybe 3 hours but I restored few screws holding some covers just in case.

It's easy as hell o course if your faulty one is the smaller one(aluminium, not with rubber) . Simply you cut off the original pipe before and behind the tank. There is completely enough space to do it. cut it off, fit new pipe, use leaklock, use metal connection and voila.

In Poland nobody wants to repair it for me (I wanted to someone replace whole pipes for me) and after 15 calls only one guy said OK but it will cost 10k PLN = 2,5k USD. WTF.

And I got annoyed and did it myself. for 45$.

If youwould need any questions, fell free to ask.

Cheers for this info, could you provide more details on the fittings/ connectors like the size/thread type and the pipe diameter please?

Pipe cutting and bending I am very familiar with as an ex Gas Safe fitter.

[jamesbradbury]

4 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

Cheers for this info, could you provide more details on the fittings/ connectors like the size/thread type and the pipe diameter please?

Pipe cutting and bending I am very familiar with as an ex Gas Safe fitter.

Bear in mind he has an LS600h so might have different sizes to us.

[steve2006]

Very true, the wheels certainly are.